Soil biodiversity: state-of-the art and possible implementation in chemical risk assessment.
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Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Article
Language
en
Date
2020-11-19
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Title
Soil biodiversity: state-of-the art and possible implementation in chemical risk assessment.
Translated Title
Published in
Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021; 17(3):541-51
Abstract
Protecting the structure and functioning of soil ecosystems is one of the central aims of current regulations of chemicals. This is, for instance, shown by the emphasis on the protection of key drivers and ecosystem services as proposed in the protection goal options for soil organisms by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Such targets require insight into soil biodiversity, its role in the functioning of ecosystems and the way it responds to stress. They also asks for tools and methodologies for properly assessing biodiversity. To address these issues, the SETAC Europe 14th Special Science Symposium (SESSS) was held on 19-20 November 2019 in Brussels. The central aim of the 14th SESSS was providing information on how to include soil biodiversity and soil functions as protection goal options in the risk assessment and quantification of the effects of chemicals and other stressors (including their respective regulations). This paper is based on the presentations and discussions at the SESSS, and will give a brief update on the scientific state-of-the art on soil biodiversity, on novel scientific developments, on experimental and modelling approaches, as well as case studies. It will also discuss how these approaches could inform future risk assessment of chemicals and other stressors in the regulatory context of protecting soil ecosystems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.