ISO/AWI 18721

Assessment of ecological soil functions: indicators and methods

Scope

This standard provides generic guidance on how core Ecological Soil Functions (ESF) can be evaluated in different contexts of land use and management (e.g. agricultural, forest or contaminated lands) for environmental monitoring. Ecological soil functions can be assessed the same way no matter which soil use is being considered. For each ESF, the standard specifically proposes biotic and abiotic parameters to be measured and associated indicators. It focuses on parameters and indicators that are either available as ISO standards or published in peer reviewed papers.
This document does not apply to non-ecological soil functions such as geotechnical functions (foundation support for buildings, tunnels, etc.) or geothermal functions.
Methods based on proxy indicators (e.g. soil occupation, hydrography parameters) are not included in this standard.