DIN EN ISO 16133:2011-09

This International Standard gives general guidance on the selection of procedures for the establishment and maintenance of programmes for long-term monitoring of soil quality. It takes into account the large number of objectives for soil-monitoring programmes and it is intended to help provide a basis for dialogue between parties involved in a monitoring scheme which has furthermore been proven by examples of international soil-monitoring programmes. Monitoring is the process of repetitive observation, for defined purposes, of one or more components of the environment according to pre-arranged schedules in space and time using comparable methods for environmental sensing and data collection. Monitoring is a scientific, interdisciplinary method used all over the world for comprising long-term questions and objectives. Soil monitoring, particularly, is a long-term undertaking, the quality and the utility of which is to a large degree determined by the choice of monitoring sites and by their maintenance over the years. Monitoring programmes can also be used to evaluate the outcome of environmental policies, to assist in the development of strategies for soil protection and environment management. They can also serve as research platforms for the development and validation of field and analytical methods and of models of soil and related environmental processes. This International Standard emphasizes the principles underlying such programmes.