Services

Soil Monitoring

QBSar Index for the “Biodiversity Alliance” Certification Protocol

Assessment of Soil Biodiversity on Farms Participating in the “Biodiversity Alliance” Voluntary Protocol

Project Info

Client

CCPB S.r.l., Viale Masini 36, 40126 Bologna (BO)

Country

Italy

Year

2015 – Still active

Objectives

To contribute to the assessment and protection of biodiversity on farms participating in the Biodiversity Alliance voluntary protocol through the application of the QBS-ar index—Biological Soil Quality based on microarthropods. The analysis of edaphic biodiversity using the QBS-ar index is one of the key elements considered for the purpose of obtaining certification, along with the assessment of other environmental and management factors specified in the protocol. In particular, the index provides information on the biological status and functionality of the soil, promoting agricultural practices that prioritize ecosystem conservation.

Activities and roles performed

Timesis, as a laboratory affiliated with CCPB, is responsible for conducting the QBS-ar analyses required by the protocol.

Activities include the extraction and identification of soil microarthropods from soil samples collected at farms, the calculation of the index, and the reporting of results, ensuring methodological consistency and technical reliability in the assessments.