Qbs-ar index for Soil Biological Quality
We assess the biological quality of the soil by analyzing the microarthropod community and calculating the QBS-ar index.
The QBS-ar assesses soil biological quality through the microarthropod community, providing a direct indicator of soil functionality.
SOIL DEGRADATION
Chemical-physical analyses describe the soil, but do not always reflect its functionality. The effects of degradation emerge first in the biological component.
Bioindicators: reading the soil's response
Soil quality is reflected in the response of the organisms that inhabit it. Bioindicators allow the detection of functional variations not always evident with other methods. The QBS-ar index uses this approach on an integrated basis.
Assessment of soil biological status
Monitoring of interventions (agricultural, environmental, restoration)
Analysis of degradation and pressures on soil
Comparison between homogeneous areas or different management practices
Definition of baseline for environmental projects
Support for sustainable soil management
HOW IT IS MEASURED
The analysis is based on the collection of microarthropods from the soil and their classification into morphological groups, followed by the calculation of the QBS-ar index.
MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ANALYZED
We provide a synthetic index for soil management.
Body miniaturization
Reduction of pigmentation and simplification of livery
Reduction of appendage length
Reduction of visual apparatus up to their disappearance
Atrophy or disappearance of wings
Operational Requirements
Proper sampling and logistical management directly influence the reliability of the result. The optimal periods for sampling are autumn (from October to mid-November) or spring, although sampling remains possible throughout the year.
36–48h
Sample delivery from sampling
<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer="">3
Replicates of composite samples
5/7
Days for analysis extraction
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How representative is the QBS-ar index with respect to soil status
The QBS-ar provides an integrated measure of the biological response of the soil, proving particularly useful for assessing overall functionality and the effects of pressures or interventions.
Can the QBS-ar be compared between different sites?
Yes, if sampling is performed with consistent methodology under comparable conditions.
How much does seasonality affect the result?
Seasonality can influence the microarthropod community; for this reason, standardized periods or comparisons in the same period are preferred.
Is it necessary to combine other analyses?
It depends on the objective; the QBS-ar can be used as the main indicator or be integrated with other chemical-physical analyses.
Is it applicable in intensive agricultural contexts?
Yes, it is particularly useful for assessing the impact of agricultural practices on soil quality.
