Soil biodiversity in protected, near-natural forests

Duration

2023-2026

Partners involved

The pilot is coordinated by the Province of Bolzano (Italy) through Eurac Research, and involves partners from ten countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy (Province of Bolzano), Portugal (Azores), Slovakia, Sweden, and Turkey.

External collaboration

The pilot collaborates with LUCAS and SoilBON.

More information

Julia Seeber

Context

According to a recent study, soils are home to almost 60% of known species, with many more, particularly microbial species, yet to be discovered. Little is known about how soil organisms are impacted by global change and how changes in community composition will affect ecosystem processes, mainly due to the lack of long-term data on soil biodiversity.

Main objectives

This pilot aims to:

  • Test and revise existing protocols to assess soil biodiversity across multiple taxonomic levels (microbes, invertebrates);
  • Compare and explore the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and molecular methods;
  • Test image-based biomass analysis.

The results will be translated into recommendations for a transnational monitoring scheme.

Main activities

The pilot involves both field and laboratory work. In the field, the pilot employs traditional methods to survey soil biodiversity (pitfall traps, hand-sorting of soil cores) and collect soil samples for molecular analyses (eDNA). Laboratory work involves measuring soil parameters, identifying invertebrates collected through traditional methods to family or species level, and conducting eDNA analyses on bulk soil samples. Based on the results and the feedback from contributors, the protocols will be optimised.

Main outcomes

Soil Biodiversity Pilot Midterm Report

The pilot first year report describes the experimental design, the protocols, the field and lab work, the challenges encountered and the possible solutions, and the first results from the spring sampling. It provides valuable insights and recommendations for a future transnational monitoring scheme on soil biodiversity, which is urgently needed to support the conservation and restoration of this vital resource!