DIN EN ISO 23611-1:2011-09

This part of ISO 23611 specifies a method for sampling and handling earthworms from field soils as a prerequisite for using these animals as bioindicators (for example, to assess the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms). This part of ISO 23611 is not applicable for semi-terrestrial soils. It can be difficult to use under extreme climatic or geographical conditions (for example, in high mountains). Methods for some other soil organism groups, such as collembolans, are covered in other parts of ISO 23611. This standard has been drawn up since there is a growing need for the standardisation of terrestrial zoological field methods. Such methods, mainly covering the sampling, extraction and handling of soil invertebrates, are necessary for the following purposes: - biological classification of soils including soil quality assessment; - terrestrial bioindication and long-term monitoring; - evaluation of the effects of chemicals on soil animals (ISO 11268-3). Data for these purposes shall be gained by standardized methods since they can form the basis for far-reaching decisions (for example, whether a given site should be remediated or not). In fact, the lack of such standardized methods is one of the most important reasons why bio-classification and bio-assessment in terrestrial (that is, soil) habitats has so far relatively rarely been used in comparison to aquatic sites. Originally, the methods described here were developed for taxonomical and ecological studies, investigating the role of earthworms in various soil ecosystems. These animals are without doubt the most important soil invertebrates in temperate regions and, to a lesser extent, in tropical soils. Since Darwin (1881), their influence on soil structure (for example, aeration, water holding capacity) and soil functions like litter decomposition and nutrient cycling is well-known. Due to their often very high biomass they are also important in many terrestrial food-webs. The text of ISO 23611-1:2006 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190 "Soil quality" of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and been adopted as EN ISO 23611-1:2011 by Technical Committee CEN/TC 345 "Characterization of soils", the secretariat of which is held by NEN. The text of ISO 23611-1:2006 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 23611-1:2011 without any modifications. The committee responsible for this standard is NA 119-01-02-04 UA "Biologische Verfahren" ("Biological Methods") at DIN.