| title: | Impact of agricultural management practice on the diversity of soil biota in Estonian agricultural soils |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5571 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
4. Agricultural Sciences |
| status: | completed |
| institution: | Environmental Protection Institute |
| head of project: | Mari Ivask |
| duration: | 01.01.2003 - 31.12.2005 |
| description: | The characteristics of all terrestrial ecosystems are influenced by the properties and status of soil, whereat the largest number and diversity organisms are presented in the soil. The commission of European Community concludes, that soil is essentially a non-renewable resource with potentially rapid degradation rates and extremely slow formation and regeneration processes. As little is known about how soil life reacts to human activities, increased understanding is required. The most important characteristic of soil for human is fertility of soil. The diverse and active soil biota is involved in the decomposition process , formation of humus, it improves the supplying of plants with biogens and immobilisation of fertilizers. OECD emphasizes the importance of the biological quality of soil, in connection with soil biological diversity.The studies are necessary for the evaluation of soil quality and human impact on it and for the application of agricultural measures. The aim of the project is 1.to give overview of the composition and diversity of soil communities in the common soil types; 2.to find out how the agricultural activities and methods influence the organism groups of soil biota. 3. to work out the criterion for the soil biological quality in common for Estonia soil types; 4. to evaluate the soil biological quality of fields and to work out recommendations for improving the soil fertility. The diversity of microbial community, earthworms, Enchytreidae, Carabidae and spiders will studied in 4 common Estonian soil type. The proposed results are 1. new information about soil biota, 2. evaluation of human impact on the soil communities; 3. criterion of soil biological quality for the evaluation of soil by different land-use and tillage. The results will published in 5 scientifical papers in international journals. The results can be applicated by advising of farmers, by evaluation of soil biological quality, by improving the soil fertility using the natural structure and functions of soil communities as well as by forwarding organic farming in Estonia. The importance of soil protection is recognized both internationally and within the EU. Soil biological quality is the most important natural base for soil fertility, because of participating the soil organisms in all processes in soil. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Mari Ivask | Environmental Protection Institute | Head of chair | |
| 2. | Kalev Sepp | Environmental Protection Institute of EAU | associate professor | |
| 3. | Marika Truu | Environmental Protection Institute of EAU | research associate | |