Tag Archive for: soil organisms

New project: Soil biodiversity baseline survey

Soil organisms ensure fertile soils and clean drinking water, build up humus and break down pollutants. However, there is often a lack of information on the actual conditions of soil organisms in Germany. To address this knowledge gap, a long-term research programme on soil biodiversity in Germany and the ecosystem services it provides has been […]

Soil biodiversity baseline survey (BioDive4Soil)

The value of soil biodiversity has long been underestimated, although it plays an essential role in healthy functioning of our ecosystems. Soil organisms contribute to nutrient cycling and carbon storage in soils, mix soil layers and help retain rainwater. However, numerous factors, such as soil contamination, unsustainable land use and climate change, have impacts on […]

New publication on microbial functional standards for soil quality assessment

The activity of microorganisms in soil is important for a robust functioning of soil and related ecosystem services. There is a necessity to identify the composition, diversity, and function of the soil microbiome to evaluate its properties and functioning and to assess ecotoxicological effects due to anthropogenic activities. Although numerous microbiological methods exist or are […]

New publication: Effects of waste materials on Caenorhabditis elegans

The ecotoxicological characterisation of waste according to the European Waste List (HP14) is part of its hazard classification, which is based on 15 different hazardous properties and should include toxicity tests representing the aquatic and terrestrial compartment. Besides established soil toxicity tests with bacteria, plants, and earthworms, the standardised test with the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans […]

Review: Environmental risk assessment of pesticides in tropical terrestrial ecosystems

Despite the increasing use of pesticides in tropical countries, research and legislative efforts have focused on their temperate counterparts. In the present publication, the literature on environmental risk assessment of pesticides in tropical terrestrial ecosystems is reviewed. Potential differences in pesticide risks between temperate and tropical regions are evaluated, and research needs for tropical regions […]

Further development of toxicity tests with soil organisms – protection of biodiversity in soils

The project objective was to identify and quantify uncertainties that occur in the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pesticides, specifically for the soil compartment. The project was based on the assessment that the general approach of employing surrogate species and experimental setups to assess the effects of pesticides has certain shortcomings that affect the outcome […]

New publication: A new ecotoxicological test method for genetically modified plants and other stressors in soil with the black fungus gnat Bradysia impatiens

Few suitable and standardised test methods are currently available to test the effects of genetically modified plants (GMP) on non-target organisms. To fill this gap and improve ecotoxicological testing for GMP, we developed a new soil ecotoxicological test method using sciarid larvae as test organisms. Bradysia impatiens was identified as a candidate species. A functional […]

New publication: Toward sustainable environmental quality: priority research questions for Europe

The United Nations’ sustainable development goals have been established to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Delivery of the sustainable development goals requires a healthy and productive environment. An understanding of the impacts of chemicals on environmental health is essential for sustainable environmental quality. However, current research on and regulation of […]