SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013

Soil quality - Sampling of soil invertebrates - Part 6: Guidance for the design of sampling programmes with soil invertebrates (ISO 23611-6:2012)

This part of ISO 23611 provides guidance for the design of field studies with soil invertebrates (e.g. for the monitoring of the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms). Detailed information on the sampling of the most important soil organisms is provided in the other parts of this International Standard (ISO 23611-1 to ISO 23611-5). This part of ISO 23611 is used for all terrestrial biotopes in which soil invertebrates occur. Basic information on the design of field studies in general is already laid down in ISO 10381-1. This information can vary according to the national requirements or the climatic/regional conditions of the site to be sampled. NOTE While this part of ISO 23611 aims to be applicable globally for all terrestrial sites that are inhabited by soil invertebrates, the existing information refers mostly to temperate regions. However, the (few) studies from other (tropical and boreal) regions, as well as theoretical considerations, allow the conclusion that the principles laid down in this part of ISO 23611 are generally valid, References [4], [6], [40], [21]. This part of ISO 23611 gives information on site-specific risk assessment of contaminated land, study of potential side effects of anthropogenic impacts (e.g. the application of chemicals or the building of roads), the biological classification and assessment of soils in order to determine the biological quality of soils, and longterm biogeographical monitoring in the context of nature protection or restoration, including global change (e.g. as in long-term ecological research projects).

Bodenbeschaffenheit - Probenahme von Wirbellosen im Boden - Teil 6: Anleitung für die Aufstellung von Programmen für die Probenahme von Wirbellosen im Boden (ISO 23611-6:2012)

Dieser Teil von ISO 23611 stellt eine Anleitung zur Planung von Freilanduntersuchungen an Wirbel¬losen im Boden (z. B. zur Überwachung der Beschaffenheit eines Bodens als Lebensraum für Organismen) zur Verfügung. Ausführliche Angaben zur Probenahme der am häufigsten auftretenden Bodenorganismen werden in den anderen Teilen dieser Internationalen Norm (ISO 23611 1 bis ISO 23611 5) bereitgestellt.
Dieser Teil von ISO 23611 wird auf alle terrestrischen Biotope angewendet, in denen Boden bewohnende Wirbellose vorkommen. Grundlegende Informationen zur Planung von Freilanduntersuchungen im Allgemeinen sind bereits in ISO 10381 1 dargelegt. Diese Informationen können in Abhängigkeit von den nationalen Anforderungen oder den Klimaverhältnissen/regionalen Gegebenheiten des zu beprobenden Standortes variieren.
ANMERKUNG   Obwohl dieser Teil von ISO 23611 global auf alle terrestrischen Standorte anwendbar sein soll, die von Wirbellosen im Boden bewohnt werden, beziehen sich die vorliegenden Angaben meist auf Regionen mit gemäßigtem Klima. Die (wenigen) Untersuchungen von anderen (tropischen und borealen) Regionen sowie theoretische Überlegungen ermöglichen jedoch die Schlussfolgerung, dass die in diesem Teil von ISO 23611 dargelegten Grundsätze allgemeingültig sind [4], [6], [40], [21].
Dieser Teil von ISO 23611 enthält Informationen über die standortspezifische Gefährdungsabschätzung von kontaminierten Flächen, die Untersuchung möglicher Nebenwirkungen von anthropogenen Einflüssen (z. B. der Einsatz von Chemikalien oder der Bau von Straßen), die biologische Klassifizierung und Beurteilung von Böden zur Bestimmung der biologischen Beschaffenheit von Böden und über die biogeographische Langzeitbeobachtung im Zusammenhang mit Naturschutz oder Sanierung/Rekultivierung, einschließlich globaler Veränderungen (z. B. wie im Projekt zur ökologischen Langzeitforschung).

Qualité du sol - Prélèvement des invertébrés du sol - Partie 6: Lignes directrices pour la conception de programmes d'échantillonnage des invertébrés du sol (ISO 23611-6:2012)

La présente partie de l'ISO 23611 spécifie les lignes directrices pour la conception de programmes
d'échantillonnage des invertébrés du sol sur le terrain (par exemple la surveillance de la qualité d'un sol
comme habitat pour les organismes). Des informations détaillées sur l'échantillonnage des organismes les
plus importants vivant dans le sol sont fournies dans les autres parties de la présente Norme internationale
(ISO 23611-1 à ISO 23611-5).
La présente partie de l'ISO 23611 est utilisée pour tous les biotopes terrestres dans lesquels se trouvent les
invertébrés du sol. Des informations fondamentales sur la conception des études sur le terrain en général
sont déjà fournies dans l'ISO 10381-1. Ces informations peuvent varier selon les exigences nationales ou les
conditions régionales/climatiques du site à prélever.
NOTE Bien que la présente partie de l'ISO 23611 s'applique globalement à tous les sites terrestres habités par
les invertébrés du sol, les informations existantes se réfèrent principalement aux régions tempérées. Cependant, les
(quelques) études émanant d'autres régions (tropicales et boréales) ainsi que des considérations théoriques permettent
de conclure que les principes établis dans la présente partie de l'ISO 23611 sont généralement valables (Références [4],
[6], [40], [21]).
La présente partie de l'ISO 23611 fournit des informations sur l'évaluation des risques spécifiques à un site
contaminé, l'étude des effets secondaires potentiels des impacts anthropogéniques (par exemple l'utilisation
de produits chimiques ou la construction de routes), la classification et l'évaluation biologiques des sols en
vue de déterminer leur qualité biologique, la surveillance biogéographique à long terme dans le cadre de la
protection ou restauration de la nature, y compris le changement climatique à l'échelle mondiale (par exemple
comme dans les projets de recherche écologique à long terme).

Kakovost tal - Vzorčenje nevretenčarjev v tleh - 6. del: Navodilo za pripravo programov vzorčenja nevretenčarjev v tleh (ISO 23611-6:2012)

Ta del standarda ISO 23611 podaja navodilo za pripravo terenskih raziskav o nevretenčarjih v tleh (npr. za nadzor kakovosti tal kot življenjskega okolja za organizme). Podrobne informacije o vzorčenju najpomembnejših organizmov v tleh so podane v drugih delih tega mednarodnega standarda (od ISO 23611-1 do ISO 23611-5). Ta del standarda ISO 23611 se uporablja za vse zemeljske biotope, v katerih so nevretenčarji. Osnovne informacije o pripravi terenskih raziskav na splošno so že navedene v standardu ISO 10381-1. Te informacije se lahko razlikujejo glede na nacionalne zahteve ali podnebne razmere/regionalne pogoje lokacije, kjer bo potekalo vzorčenje. OPOMBA Namen tega dela standarda ISO 23611 je uporabnost za vse zemeljske lokacije, ki so poseljene z nevretenčarji, vendar obstoječe informacije veljajo predvsem za zmerne regije. Kljub temu je na podlagi raziskav iz drugih (tropskih in borealnih) regij in teoretične ocene mogoče sklepati, da načela v tem delu standarda ISO 23611 v glavnem veljajo (sklici [4], [6], [40], [21]). Ta del standarda ISO 23611 podaja informacije o oceni tveganja onesnažene zemlje, raziskavi o morebitnih stranskih učinkih antropogenih vplivov (npr. uporabe kemikalij ali gradnje cest), biološki klasifikaciji in oceni tal za določevanje biološke kvalitete tal in dolgoročnem biogeografskem nadzoru v kontekstu varovanja in ponovne vzpostavitve naravnega okolja glede na lokacijo, vključno z globalno spremembo (npr. v dolgoročnih ekoloških raziskovalnih projektih).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 19-Apr-2013
• Publication Date: 01-Sep-2013
• ICS: 13.080.30 - Biological properties of soils
• Technical Committee: KAT - Soil quality
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 22-Aug-2013
• Due Date: 27-Oct-2013
• Completion Date: 02-Sep-2013
• Ref Project: EN ISO 23611-6:2013 - Soil quality - Sampling of soil invertebrates - Part 6: Guidance for the design of sampling programmes with soil invertebrates (ISO 23611-6:2012)

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
01-oktober-2013
.DNRYRVWWDO9]RUþHQMHQHYUHWHQþDUMHYYWOHKGHO1DYRGLOR]DSULSUDYR
SURJUDPRYY]RUþHQMDQHYUHWHQþDUMHYYWOHK,62
Soil quality - Sampling of soil invertebrates - Part 6: Guidance for the design of sampling
programmes with soil invertebrates (ISO 23611-6:2012)
Bodenbeschaffenheit - Probenahme von Wirbellosen im Boden - Teil 6: Anleitung für die
Aufstellung von Programmen für die Probenahme von Wirbellosen im Boden (ISO 23611
-6:2012)
Qualité du sol - Prélèvement des invertébrés du sol - Partie 6: Lignes directrices pour la
conception de programmes d'échantillonnage des invertébrés du sol (ISO 23611-6:2012)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 23611-6:2013
ICS:
13.080.30 Biološke lastnosti tal Biological properties of soils
SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013


EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 23611-6

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2013
ICS 13.080.05; 13.080.30
English Version
Soil quality - Sampling of soil invertebrates - Part 6: Guidance
for the design of sampling programmes with soil invertebrates
(ISO 23611-6:2012)
Qualité du sol - Prélèvement des invertébrés du sol - Partie Bodenbeschaffenheit - Probenahme von Wirbellosen im
6: Lignes directrices pour la conception de programmes Boden - Teil 6: Anleitung für die Planung der Probenahme
d'échantillonnage des invertébrés du sol (ISO 23611- von Wirbellosen im Boden (ISO 23611-6:2012)
6:2012)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 11 July 2013.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.





EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2013 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 23611-6:2013: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
EN ISO 23611-6:2013 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword .3

2

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
EN ISO 23611-6:2013 (E)
Foreword
The text of ISO 23611-6:2012 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190 “Soil quality” of the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as EN ISO 23611-6:2013 by
Technical Committee CEN/TC 345 “Characterization of soils” the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2014, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by January 2014.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 23611-6:2012 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 23611-6:2013 without any modification.
3

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 23611-6
First edition
2012-09-15
Soil quality — Sampling of soil
invertebrates —
Part 6:
Guidance for the design of sampling
programmes with soil invertebrates
Qualité du sol — Prélèvement des invertébrés du sol —
Partie 6: Lignes directrices pour la conception de programmes
d’échantillonnage des invertébrés du sol
Reference number
ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
©
ISO 2012

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2012
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s
member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
3.1 Soil biology . 2
3.2 Soil protection . 3
3.3 Methods . 4
4 Principle . 4
4.1 General . 4
4.2 Question to be answered when planning a field study . 5
5 Objectives of sampling . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 General remarks . 6
5.3 Pre-conditions . 7
5.4 The performance of the site-specific assessment of contaminated land . 7
5.5 The study of potential side effects of anthropogenic impacts . 7
5.6 The biological classification and assessment of soils in order to determine the biological
quality of soils . 7
5.7 Biogeographical monitoring in nature protection or restauration . 8
6 Samples and sampling points . 8
6.1 General . 8
6.2 Sampling patterns . 8
6.3 Selecting and identifying the sampling location . 9
6.4 Preparation of the sampling site . 9
6.5 Further general advice on sampling performance .10
7 Practical considerations for the biological sampling of soils .10
7.1 General .10
7.2 Formal preparations .10
7.3 Requirements on sampling personnel and safety precautions .10
7.4 Preliminary survey . 11
7.5 Main study .12
8 Design options for sampling soil invertebrates .12
8.1 Introduction .12
8.2 Description of possible sampling strategies .13
8.3 Recommendations from the European programme ENVASSO (Environmental Assessment of
Soil for Monitoring) .17
9 Sampling report .19
10 Quality control and quality assurance .20
Annex A (informative) Case studies .21
Bibliography .37
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved iii

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 23611-6 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 4,
Biological methods.
ISO 23611 consists of the following parts, under the general title Soil quality — Sampling of soil invertebrates:
— Part 1: Hand-sorting and formalin extraction of earthworms
— Part 2: Sampling and extraction of micro-arthopods (Collembola and Acarina)
— Part 3: Sampling and soil extraction of enchytraeids
— Part 4: Sampling extraction and identification of soil-inhabiting nematodes
— Part 5: Sampling and extraction of soil macro-invertebrates
— Part 6: Guidance for the design of sampling programmes with soil invertebrates
iv © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
Introduction
The biodiversity of soil fauna is tremendous. Soil harbours species-rich communities, which regulate ecosystem
processes such as organic matter decomposition, nutrient flows or soil fertility in general, References [40], [45].
All terrestrial animal phyla can be found in soils, Reference [16]. In addition to thousands of bacterial and fungal
“species“, more than 1 000 species of invertebrates in abundances of up to 1,5 million individuals can be found
within a square metre of soil, References [3], [5]. This diversity can only be reliably estimated by investigation
of the soil community itself, since other parameters like climate are not or only weakly correlated with species
richness, Reference [24].
The composition of this community, as well as the abundance and biomass of the individual species and
groups is a valuable source of information, since they integrate various abiotic and biotic effects such as soil
properties and conditions, climate, competition or biogeographical influences, Reference [68]. For this reason,
the evaluation of the biodiversity of soil invertebrate communities becomes more and more important for the
classification and assessment of biological soil quality, Reference [51]. However, this work is only possible
if data collection (i.e. sampling of the soil fauna) is carried out according to standardized methods. For this
reason, a number of ISO guidelines have been prepared covering the sampling of the most important soil
organism groups.
In the individual parts of ISO 23611, the practical work concerning the respective animal group is described
in detail. However, (nearly) nothing is said about how to plan the use of such methods or how to evaluate the
results. Despite the fact that sampling for any field study can be different depending on the individual purpose,
guidance is needed for monitoring studies in a legal context. Such studies can include the following:
— site-specific risk assessment of contaminated land;
— study of potential side effects of anthropogenic impacts (e.g. the application of chemicals or the
building of roads);
— the biological classification and assessment of soils in order to determine the biological quality of soils;
— long-term biogeographical monitoring in the context of nature protection or restoration, including global
change [e.g. as in the long-term ecological research project (LTER)].
Spatial studies focusing on environmental and ecological questions require a carefully designed strategy for
collecting data (References [31], [65]). Before identifying the optimal design, two issues have to be clarified:
what is the objective of the study and what is already known about the survey area? Afterwards, one may select
one of the well-known design patterns (e.g. grid sampling, random sampling, clustered sampling or random
transects) or prepare a study-specific design. In any case, the field sampling design has to be practical, e.g. the
volume of soil to be sampled, depending on the size and distribution of the organisms, has to be manageable
(i.e. the smaller the individual animal, the smaller the size), and cost effective.
In studies focusing on soil invertebrates, it is not possible to observe the entire population. Therefore, sampling
is done only at a limited number of locations. The main reason for using statistical sound sampling schemes
is that such sampling guarantees scientific objectivity and avoids forms of bias such as those caused by
judgement sampling. This is especially valuable if the objective is to obtain data that are representative for the
whole area. At the same time, statistics-based sampling schemes ensure standardized sampling methods over
time, i.e., if the same area is to be re-sampled in the future, the results will be comparable.
The rational for this guidance s on the design of field sampling methods for soil invertebrates takes into
consideration the guidance provided in ISO 10381-1 describing soil sampling in general.
The design of microbiological studies is already covered by ISO 10381-6, ISO 14240-1 and ISO 14240-2.
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved v

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
Soil quality — Sampling of soil invertebrates —
Part 6:
Guidance for the design of sampling programmes with soil
invertebrates
1 Scope
This part of ISO 23611 provides guidance for the design of field studies with soil invertebrates (e.g. for the
monitoring of the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms). Detailed information on the sampling of the
most important soil organisms is provided in the other parts of this International Standard (ISO 23611-1 to
ISO 23611-5).
This part of ISO 23611 is used for all terrestrial biotopes in which soil invertebrates occur. Basic information on
the design of field studies in general is already laid down in ISO 10381-1. This information can vary according
to the national requirements or the climatic/regional conditions of the site to be sampled.
NOTE While this part of ISO 23611 aims to be applicable globally for all terrestrial sites that are inhabited by soil
invertebrates, the existing information refers mostly to temperate regions. However, the (few) studies from other (tropical
and boreal) regions, as well as theoretical considerations, allow the conclusion that the principles laid down in this part of
ISO 23611 are generally valid, References [4], [6], [40], [21].
This part of ISO 23611 gives information on site-specific risk assessment of contaminated land, study of
potential side effects of anthropogenic impacts (e.g. the application of chemicals or the building of roads), the
biological classification and assessment of soils in order to determine the biological quality of soils, and long-
term biogeographical monitoring in the context of nature protection or restoration, including global change (e.g.
as in long-term ecological research projects).
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 10381-1:2002, Soil quality — Sampling — Part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling programmes
ISO 10381-2, Soil quality — Sampling — Part 2: Guidance on sampling techniques
ISO 10381-3, Soil quality — Sampling — Part 3: Guidance on safety
ISO 10381-4, Soil quality — Sampling — Part 4: Guidance on the procedure for investigation of natural, near-
natural and cultivated sites
ISO 10381-5, Soil quality — Sampling — Part 5: Guidance on the procedure for the investigation of urban and
industrial sites with regard to soil contamination
ISO 10381-6, Soil quality — Sampling — Part 6: Guidance on the collection, handling and storage of soil under
aerobic conditions for the assessment of microbiological processes, biomass and diversity in the laboratory
ISO 10390, Soil quality — Determination of pH
ISO 10694, Soil quality — Determination of organic and total carbon after dry combustion (elementary analysis)
ISO 11074, Soil quality — Vocabulary
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved 1

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
ISO 11260, Soil quality — Determination of effective cation exchange capacity and base saturation level using
barium chloride solution
ISO 11272, Soil quality — Determination of dry bulk density
ISO 11274, Soil quality — Determination of the water-retention characteristic — Laboratory methods
ISO 11277, Soil quality — Determination of particle size distribution in mineral soil material — Method by
sieving and sedimentation
ISO 11461, Soil quality — Determination of soil water content as a volume fraction using coring sleeves —
Gravimetric method
ISO 11465, Soil quality — Determination of dry matter and water content on a mass basis — Gravimetric method
ISO 11466, Soil quality — Extraction of trace elements soluble in aqua regia
ISO 13878, Soil quality — Determination of total nitrogen content by dry combustion (“elemental analysis“)
ISO 14869-1, Soil quality — Dissolution for the determination of total element content — Part 1: Dissolution
with hydrofluoric and perchloric acids
ISO 15709, Soil quality — Soil water and the unsaturated zone — Definitions, symbols and theory
ISO 15799, Soil quality — Guidance on the ecotoxicological characterization of soils and soil materials
ISO 17616, Soil quality — Guidance on the choice and evaluation of bioassays for ecotoxicological
characterization of soils and soil materials
ISO 23611-1:2006, Soil quality — Sampling of soil invertebrates — Part 1: Hand-sorting and formalin extraction
of earthworms
ISO 23611-2, Soil quality — Sampling of soil invertebrates — Part 2: Sampling and extraction of micro-
arthropods (Collembola and Acarina)
ISO 23611-3, Soil quality — Sampling of soil invertebrates — Part 3: Sampling and soil extraction of enchytraeids
ISO 23611-4, Soil quality — Sampling of soil invertebrates — Part 4: Sampling, extraction and identification of
free-living stages of nematodes
ISO 23611-5, Soil quality — Sampling of soil invertebrates — Part 5: Sampling and extraction of soil macro-
invertebrates
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 11074 and the following apply.
3.1 Soil biology
3.1.1
biodiversity
variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between species, and within
and between ecosystems
NOTE Also often used as the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region.
3.1.2
community
association of organisms, belonging to different species, families, etc. living at the same time at the same
place, i.e. the living portion of an ecosystem
See Reference [42].
2 © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
3.1.3
invertebrate
term embracing all organisms except the chordates and microflora
NOTE This is not a taxonomic term.
3.1.4
microfauna, mesofauna and macrofauna
way of classifying the soil fauna according to the size (length, diameter) of the individual animals
See Reference [66].
EXAMPLE Important examples of the microfauna are protozoans and nematodes, for the mesofauna collembolans,
mites and enchytraeids, and for the macrofauna earthworms and snails.
3.1.5
taxocoenosis
total number of species belonging to the same higher taxonomic unit (e.g. family, order) within a community
3.2 Soil protection
3.2.1
soil quality
capacity of a specific kind of soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant
and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation
See References [16], [30].
NOTE In more recent definitions, the natural functions of soil are specifically listed: soil as a habitat for organisms, as
part of natural systems (in particular nutrient cycles) and for decomposition, retention and filtration, Reference [6].
3.2.2
habitat
sum of the environment of a particular species or community (e.g. in terms of soil properties, land use, climate)
3.2.3
habitat function
ability of soils/soil materials to serve as a habitat for microorganisms, plants, and soil-living animals, and
support their interactions (community or biocenosis)
3.2.4
contamination
substance(s) or agent(s) present in the soil as a result of human activity
NOTE There is no assumption in this definition that harm results from the presence of the contaminant.
3.2.5
pollutant
substances which, due to their properties, amount or concentration, cause impacts on soil functions or soil use
3.2.6
reference soil
uncontaminated soil with comparable pedological properties to the soil being studied except that it is free of
contamination
© ISO 2012 – All rights reserved 3

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SIST EN ISO 23611-6:2013
ISO 23611-6:2012(E)
3.3 Methods
3.3.1
Geographical Information Systems
GIS
in the strictest sense, a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying
geographically referenced information, i.e. data identified according to their locations
NOTE Practitioners also regard the total GIS as including operating personnel and the data that go into the system
(US. Geological Survey, 2006).
3.3.2
site-specific assessment
evaluation of the quality of a specific-site by using chemical, biological or other methods
3.3.3
environmental risk assessment
process of identifying and quantifying risk (probability that an effect occurs) to non-human organisms and
determining the acceptability of these risks
3.3.4
soil function
property of (specific) soils, often used in legal documents
NOTE Usually natural soil functions (e.g. the soil as a habitat for organisms) and anthropogenic soil functions (e.g.
soil as a substrate for crop production) are distinguished.
3.3.5
soil organism function
activity provided by individual species or, more often, by interaction of several species or the whole soil
community, e.g. nitrogen fixation or organic-matter breakdown
4 Principle
4.1 General
The design of field studies for the investigation of soil invertebrates differs significantly depending on the
respective aim. However, in all cases, it is necessary to take samples since the site and biological populations
to be studied are usually too large to be studied in total. In addition, most soil invertebrates live hidden within the
soil and/or are too small to be studied directly. The samples collected should be as representative as possible of
the site to be characterized but destruction should be kept at a minimum. In addition, the occurrence of material
not naturally belonging to the study site (e.g. waste or chemicals) can cause problems when taking samples in
multiphase systems such as soils, which contains water, gases, mineral solids and biological material.
The study design (e.g. the position and density of sampling points, time of sampling, and the sampling method)
depends mainly on the objectives of the study and on the amount and quality of information already available
from the study site (e.g. historical data, personal experience). The design also depends on whether information
is needed as an average value (sampling for the spatial mean, e.g. the average number of nematodes) or as
a spatial distribution (e.g. sampling for a map showing nematode abundances in relation to soil properties).
In addition, the sheer size and the heterogeneity of soil properties, as well as those of the organisms to be
sampled shall be taken in
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