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).
