Monitoring of soil organisms: a set of standardized field methods proposed by ISO

Following the need for methods suitable for the assessment of the habitat function of soil (i.e. the ability of soil to act as an environment for organisms), particularly in Europe, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is harmonizing a standard called “soil quality—sampling of soil invertebrates” now include as many as four parts that are currently close to finalization: (1) ISO/DIS 23611-1: hand-sorting and formalin extraction of earthworms; (2) ISO/DIS 23611-2: extraction of microarthropods (Collembola and Acarina); (3) ISO/CD 23611-3: extraction of enchytraeids; (4) ISO/WD 23611-4: sampling, extraction and identification of free-living stages of terrestrial nematodes All drafts cover the technical details of the most appropriate methods, but also contain modifications of the methods required in special cases (e.g. when working in different climatic regions like the tropics). It is proposed to use these methods in all studies collecting data on soil organism communities for legal purposes such as long-term monitoring or soil quality assessment.