IBQS: A synthetic index of soil quality based on soil macro-invertebrate communities

摘要: We developed a synthetic index of biological soil quality (IBQS) based on macro-invertebrate community patterns to assess quality. In 22 sites representing the diversity agroecosystems encountered in France, invertebrate communities co-varied significantly with set 14 parameters describing physical and chemical properties (co-inertia, p < 0.001; RV¼ 0.70). Using hierarchical classification, could be separated into four homogeneous groups and, using 'indicator value' method, 46 indicator taxa characteristic one or another these were identified.We then used formula that takes account abundance species their respective values score soils from 1 20. IBQS was able detect effects management practices Soil varied 6 20 forests, 7 9 pastures 2 crops respectively. This suggests well-managed may have better than some forests. Our results confirm macro-invertebrates provide an integrative measure proposed can either short- long-term monitoring, provided it is calibrated validated respect regional context study.