Biofunctool®, a multifunctional approach of soil health related to soil biota activities

Abstract

International audienceIn a context of global soil biodiversity loss, we need to findeffective way to measure the functions supported by biodiversity. Thisconstitutes the main challenge of soil health assessments,particularly in the agroecological transition context. The most shareddefinition of soil health is based on the ability of soil to function(Karlen et al., 1997) and to provide ecosystem services. However, mostmethods focus on stock measurements rather than functions. Also,measurements are usually performed in the laboratory, reflecting thepotential level of soil functions rather than true field performance.To overcome these methodological limitations, a new framework isproposed to assess soil health based on functional methods thatconsiders the links between abiotic and biotic soil compartments. Thismethod, called Biofunctool®, incorporates nine rapid, cost-effective,and in-field indicators to evaluate three main soil functions: Ctransformation, nutrient cycling, structure maintenance. The capacityof the set of indicators to assess the impact of land management onsoil health will be illustrated in various agroecological contexts inthe tropics. Biofunctool® allows to better understand the impacts ofagricultural practices on soil functions driven by soil biodiversityand could be in the future included in environmental analyses