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UID:pretalx-soil-health-now-2026-VGXTAD@pretalx.earthmonitor.org
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Athens:20261207T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Athens:20261207T180000
DESCRIPTION:Soil biodiversity is increasingly recognized as a key component
  of soil health and ecosystem functioning. However\, biological indicators
  remain underrepresented in routine soil monitoring program compared with 
 physical and chemical parameters. The SoilLife1st project aimed to evaluat
 e the effects of soil-improving agricultural practices on soil health in P
 ortuguese horticultural systems\, with a particular focus on soil biologic
 al quality.\nBetween 2022 and 2025\, six commercial horticultural fields l
 ocated in the Ribatejo\, Oeste and Alentejo Litoral regions were monitored
 . Biodiverse cover crops were established prior to the main cash crops and
  compared with control plots under conventional management. Soil biologica
 l quality was assessed using the QBS-ar (Soil Biological Quality based on 
 Arthropods)\, a recognized indicator that integrates the diversity of soil
  microarthropod groups with their degree of adaptation to soil habitats.\n
 Microarthropods play a fundamental role in organic matter decomposition\, 
 nutrient cycling and soil structure formation\, while also responding rapi
 dly to changes in soil conditions and management practices. \nResults show
 ed higher QBS-ar values in plots where cover crops were implemented\, indi
 cating a significant improvement in soil biological quality compared with 
 control treatments.\nThese findings demonstrate the potential of cover cro
 ps to enhance soil biodiversity and support the use of QBS-ar as a tool fo
 r soil health assessment. The work contributes to the integration of biolo
 gical indicators into soil monitoring frameworks and supports the implemen
 tation of the European Soil Monitoring Law and future soil health policies
 .
DTSTAMP:20260825T193307Z
LOCATION:Basement (Foyer)
SUMMARY:Assessing soil biological quality in Mediterranean horticultural sy
 stems using the QBS-ar: Evidence from the SoilLife1st project - Maria Godi
 nho
URL:https://pretalx.earthmonitor.org/soil-health-now-2026/talk/VGXTAD/
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