DIN EN ISO 23611-3:2011-09

This part of ISO 23611 specifies a method for sampling, handling and extracting enchytraeids from terrestrial 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 applies to all terrestrial biotopes in which enchytraeids occur. The sampling design of field studies in general has already been specified in ISO 10381-1. These details can vary according to the climatic/regional conditions of the site to be sampled. This standard has been drawn up since there is a growing need for the standardization of terrestrial zoological field methods. Such methods, mainly covering the sampling, extraction and handling of soil invertebrates, are needed 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. Data for these purposes are 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 biological classification concepts in terrestrial (that is, soil) habitats have so far been relatively rarely used in comparison to aquatic sites. Originally, the methods described here were developed for taxonomical and ecological studies, investigating the role of enchytraeids in various soil ecosystems. These animals without doubt belong to the most important soil invertebrates in temperate regions (mainly in acidic soils). Their influence on soil functions like litter decomposition and nutrient cycling is well-known. Due to their number which is often very high (and to their population biomass), they are also important in many terrestrial food-webs. Some species have unintentionally been distributed by man in many soils of the world. The text of ISO 23611-3:2007 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190 "Soil quality" of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and been adopted as EN ISO 23611-3:2011 by Technical Committee CEN/TC 345 "Characterization of soils", the secretariat of which is held by NEN. The text of ISO 23611-3:2007 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 23611-3:2011 without any modifications. The committee responsible for this standard is NA 119-01-02-04 UA "Biologische Verfahren" ("Biological Methods") at DIN.