The Soil Biodiversity and Wellbeing Framework (SBWF) is a pioneering tool that offers a holistic approach to understanding the complex relationships between soil biodiversity, land management, and human wellbeing.
It is composed of two key elements:
(i) A conceptual framework which visualises and describes how the project’s various disciplinary components interrelate and are influenced by drivers and pressures at different scales;
(ii) An analytical framework which specifies the methodologies and indicators required to assess each component of the conceptual framework.
Key Objectives:
- Global Standard Development: Establish a universal framework for assessing soil biodiversity and its role in supporting ecosystems and societal wellbeing.
- Holistic Integration: Combine scientific evidence across disciplines to provide a comprehensive understanding of soil-related challenges.
- Sustainability Focus: Support sustainable soil management practices that enhance ecosystem services and improve human wellbeing.
At its core, the SBWF explores how human activities (drivers and land management pressures) affect soil’s natural assets (1&2) and how these changes influence both the environment (3) and society (4). Negative impacts on soil and wellbeing can trigger responses (5), such as new policies or sustainable practices aiming to restore balance. The framework emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecological systems with socio-economic systems.
Natural Capital Assets are the characteristics of soils and ecosystems that underpin their ability to support life and provide services:
- Extent: The area covered by a habitat or soil type.
- Stock: Quantities of soil components, such as organic matter or organisms.
- Structure: How soil components interact spatially, influencing water flow, nutrient cycling, and more.
- Condition: The quality or health of the soil, which varies based on its role in the ecosystem.
- Functions: Processes like decomposition and mineralization that support ecosystem services.
Ecosystem Services (and Disservices) like food production, climate regulation, and recreation opportunities. However, they can also lead to challenges, such as greenhouse gas emissions. The framework captures these trade-offs and the need for careful management.
Beneficiaries: People who benefit from soil ecosystem services. Their preferences, values, and socio-economic factors influence how these services are valued.
Drivers and Responses: External factors like climate change or agricultural policies shape soil management and its outcomes. Negative impacts on soil and wellbeing can trigger responses (5), such as new policies or sustainable practices, aiming to restore balance.
Integration of Socio-Ecological Systems: The framework links ecological processes with societal needs, showing how soil management decisions impact both the environment and human wellbeing.
The SBWF introduces several innovative features, designed to strengthen its applicability and relevance on a global scale:
- Cross-Biome Validation: Tested across diverse sites and biomes, from croplands to forests, ensuring its global applicability;
- Climate Simulation: Incorporates in-situ experiments that simulate climate impacts on soil biodiversity;
- Evidence-Based Responses: Designed to inform policy and management strategies aimed at enhancing soil sustainability.
The SBWF is versatile and can be applied to various contexts, from understanding the effects of different farming practices on soil health to assessing how soil biodiversity supports ecosystem services in different regions. By offering a clear structure to explore these interactions, the framework supports decision-making that promotes sustainable soil use and enhances human wellbeing. By addressing these challenges, SOILGUARD will help shape the future of sustainable soil management and its essential role in maintaining ecological balance and human wellbeing.