The Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at its 6th meeting in Nairobi April 2002 decided (COP decision VI/5, paragraph 13) "to establish an International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity as a cross-cutting initiative within the programme of work on agricultural biodiversity, and invites the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and other relevant organizations, to facilitate and coordinate this initiative".

This decision resulted from SBSTTAs consideration of the information document 7/INF/11 on Soil Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture which was submitted by FAO.

The International Technical Workshop on Biological Management of Soil Ecosystems for Sustainable Agriculture organized by EMBRAPA-SOYBEAN and FAO that was held in Londrina, Brazil during 24-27 June 2002, was organized as a contribution to the joint programme of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and FAO in accordance with FAO’s mandate on sustainable agriculture and food security and with Decision V/5 of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the CBD. More than 45 participants from more than 18 countries, representing a heterogeneous range of scientists and practitioners from each region, joined efforts to review and discuss the concept and practices of integrated soil management, share successful experiences and identify priorities for action.
The proceedings of the International Technical Workshop on Biological Management of Soil Ecosytems for Sustainable Agriculture" held at Londrina (Brazil) in June 2002 is expected to be finalized in july 2003. It will be also posted in this website (see Documents, in the left menu bar).

The strategy for the implementation of the International Initiative on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity should adhere to the following principles (as proposed by the International Workshop held at Londrina, Brazil in 2002, many of these principles have already been emphasised through other processes and/or fora):

• Focus on food security and improvement of farmers’ livelihood;

• Build on previous experience and knowledge, through combining the skills and wisdom of farmers with modern scientific knowledge;

• Focus on integrated holistic solutions and technical adaptation to local contexts within a clear framework that builds on the principles for application of the Ecosystem Approach;

• Use participatory technology development and adaptive approaches to develop agricultural systems and land resource management practices for specific situations and farmer typologies that are technically and environmentally appropriate, economically viable, and socially and culturally acceptable; and,

• Develop partnerships and alliances that demonstrate multi-disciplinarity and foster synergies and ensure multi-stakeholder participation.

• Promote cross-sectoral approaches to address different perspectives (social, political, environmental) through association and flexibility?

• Prioritise actions on the basis of country goals and the needs of direct beneficiaries and locally validate such actions through the full participation of all actors.

• Promote innovative and flexible solutions that are adapted to local conditions.

Taking into account the above principles there are two main objectives for the Soil Biodiversity Initiative. Firstly, promoting awareness raising, knowledge and understanding of key roles, functional groups and impacts of diverse management practices in different farming systems and agro-ecological and socio-economic context. Secondly, and even more important, promoting ownership and adaptation by farmers of integrated soil biological management practices as an integral part of their agricultural and sustainable livelihood strategies.

Progress could be made through focusing on the following strategic areas of action:

Increasing recognition of the essential services provided by soil biodiversity across all production systems and its relation to land management, through:

• Information sharing and networking;

• Public awareness, education and capacity building.

• Adoption of integrated approaches for the sustainable use of soil biodiversity and enhancement of agro-ecosystem functions; in particular in FAO's context focusing on three categories of outputs:

  Assessment and monitoring

  Adaptive management

  Advocacy and training

• Partnerships and cooperation through Mainstreaming and Cooperative programmes and Actions.

It is intended that the suggested principles, development process, strategy and priority actions presented in this workshop report provide a preliminary basis to further stimulate exchange of information and experiences among countries and relevant institutions. This should lead to a coordinated process for the establishment and conduct of the Soil Biodiversity Initiative (SBI), as established under COP Decision V/5 (Nairobi, April 2002), as a cross-cutting initiative within the CBD programme of work on agricultural biodiversity, and through the coordination and with the technical and policy support of FAO.

The findings and recommendations in regard to the three main thematic areas considered at the Londrina workshop are presented in the form of a framework for action that outlines proposed objectives and activities. It is envisaged that this framework will provide the basis for the further development of the strategy and action plan for implementation of the International Initiative on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Soil Biodiversity, further referred to as the SBI, as an integral part of the programme of work on agricultural biodiversity. It will be a partnership effort by FAO, the CBD Secretariat and Parties, and other interested partner organizations and bodies.

The participants of this workshop agreed on the steps necessary for the implementation of the SBI.

FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION AS A BASIS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOIL BIODIVERSITY INITIATIVE Objective 1. Sharing of knowledge and information, and awareness raising • Activity 1.1. Compilation and dissemination of case studies for use in awareness raising and capacity building. • Activity 1.2. Creation and strengthening of networking arrangements for sharing of information, experiences and expertise with a focus on supporting local initiatives on the ground rather than institution building. • Activity 1.3. Enhancing public awareness, education and knowledge on integrated soil management and agro-ecological approaches. • Activity 1.4. Development of information systems and databases. Objective 2. Capacity building for the development and transfer of knowledge of soil biodiversity and ecosystem management into farmers’ practices • Activity 2.1. Evaluating capacity building needs of farmers and other land managers, researchers and development programmes for integrated soil biological and ecosystems management. • Activity 2.2. Development of soil bioindicators and tools for assessment and monitoring of soil health and ecosystem functioning. • Activity 2.3. Promotion of adaptive management approaches for the development and uptake of improved soil biological management practices, technologies and policies that enhance soil health and ecosystem function and contribute to sustained agricultural productivity and livelihoods. • Activity 2.4. Mobilization of targeted participatory R&D in order to enhance understanding of soil biodiversity functions and ecosystem resilience in relation to land use and sustainable agriculture. Objective 3. Strengthening collaboration among actors and institutions and mainstreaming soil biodiversity and biological management into agricultural and land management and rehabilitation programmes • Activity 3.1. Mainstreaming soil biodiversity and ecosystem management in agricultural and land management programmes and policies. • Activity 3.2. Develop partnerships and collaborative activities for development and implementation of the Soil Biodiversity Initiative as an FAO-CBD partnership.

Assessment and monitoring

Soil health has been defined as "the continued capacity of the soil to function as a vital living system, within ecosystem and land-use boundaries, to sustain biological productivity, promote the quality of air and water environments, and maintain plant, animal, and human health". (John Doran)

Soil health assessment requires not only indicators of soil biodiversity (key species, functional groups), of different soil ecosystem parameters (water storage/movement, structural stability, soil fertility, organic matter) and specific functions (N cycling, C cycling, microbial biomass activity and others) but also the establishment of target values and thresholds. Measures of different soil ecosystem parameters include simple visual/tangible and lab-dependent bioindicators. Integrative measures are also sought that respond to change in soil management in spatial and temporal scales relevant to land users. Finally, mechanisms are required to inform and engage land users and policy makers in soil health monitoring programmes and in turn, for implementing changes in soil management and to develop policies that better reflect the value of soil health.

Identification of appropriate indicators of soil health assessment is complicated by the fact that they must account both for multiple dimensions of soil functions, such as productivity and environmental well-being, and the multiple physical, chemical and biological factors which control bio-geochemical process, and their variation in intensity over time and space.

Adaptive management

Adaptive management incorporates research into conservation methods. Specifically, it is the integration of design, management, and monitoring to systematically test assumptions in order to adapt and learn from experiences in a given site. Case studies of adaptive management and integrated practices highlighting the ecosystem services provided by soil biodiversity are being compiled.

The soil is a very complex and multi-faceted environment providing the habitat for a diverse array of soil organisms. The activities of this wide range of soil biota contribute to many critical ecosystem services, including: soil formation; organic matter decomposition, and thereby nutrient availability and carbon sequestration (and conversely greenhouse gas emissions); nitrogen fixation and plant nutrient uptake; suppression or induction of plant diseases and pests; and bio-remediation of degraded and contaminated soils (through detoxification of contaminants and restoration of soil physical, chemical and biological properties and processes). The effects of soil organisms also influence water infiltration and runoff and moisture retention, through effects on soil structure and composition and indirectly on plant growth and soil cover. These services are not only critical to the functioning of natural ecosystems but constitute an important resource for sustainable agricultural production.

FAO is actively promoting Conservation Agriculture (CA), a win-win system based on integrated management of available soil, water and biological resources combined with external inputs. CA relies on three principles, which must be considered together for appropiate design and application: a permanent or semi-permanent organic soil cover in order to protect the soil physically from sun, rain and wind and to feed soil biota, a minimal disturbance to the soil through no or reduced tillage, and crop rotations to optimise user efficiency of the system. Mechanical tillage is replaced by biological tillage (soil micro-organisms, roots and soil fauna in general take over the tillage function and soil nutrient balancing), and soil fertility (nutrients and water) is managed through soil cover management, crop rotations and weed management. The design of crop rotations and the choice and management of cover crops must ensure sufficient biomass production of food and other crops, livestock feed and residue cover for the soil to reduce pest and disease incidence. The planting is done directly through the soil cover with specific tools and implements for manual, animal-drawn or mechanised agriculture. Crop residue management stimulates soil structure formation by soil fauna, improves soil fertility and moisture management and helps to control weeds with less dependence on herbicides. Participatory research and investment is needed to adapt CA systems to different environmental and socioeconomic contexts and make available required cover crops seeds and tools for direct planting and weed and cover crop management. A mentality change is needed to facilitate a wider adoption of conservative agricultural practices by farmers. However, CA systems have been proven to be highly succesful in a wide range of environments for maintained procution, reduced risk and protection of land and water resources. For more information visit the Conservation Agriculture website.

Organic agriculture is a holistic production management systems that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. Organic production systems are based on specific and precise standards of production which aim at achieving optimal agro-ecosystems which are socially, ecologically and economically sustainable. Terms such as "biological" and "ecological" are also used in an effort to describe the organic system more clearly. Requirements for organically produced foods differ from those for other agricultural products in that production procedures are an intrinsic part of the identification and labelling of, and claim for, such products. (From the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods, 1999).

The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people. Organic Agriculture manages locally available resources to optimize competition for food and space between different plant and animal species. the manipulation of the temporal and spatial distribution of biodiversity is the main productive "input" of organic farmers. Organic practices such as crop rotations and associations, cover crops, organic fertilizers and minimum tillage increase the density and richness of indigenous soil invertebrates, which in turn provide essential ecosystem services.

Organic agriculture:

• raises the productivity of low-input agricultural systems;
• provides market opportunities;
• offers the opportunity to discover, through traditional knowledge and modern science blending, new and innovative production technologies;
• promotes the national and international public debate on sustainability by creating awareness of environmental and social concerns that merit attention.

For more information visit the Organic Agriculture website.

Advocacy and training

There is a need to expand the education process to: a) build capacities at field and planning levels for integrated agro-ecological approaches at all levels, from schools to universities; b) to educate and sensitise policy makers on the importance of soil biological functions and sustainable agriculture; and c) to empower communities and civil society organisations for lobbying and decision making.

Integrated plant nutrient management (IPNM) approaches are strongly advocated through FAO technical support, documentation and consultation.

The use of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) is currently being adapted by FAO with partners in Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe to promote farmer experimentation on techniques and options for soil productivity improvement (SPI). A curriculum and training materials are being developed and the approach being piloted through training of trainers (farmers and extensionists) adapted to local farming systems and contexts. Involvement of NARS, extension, university and a range of projects is expected to lead to its wider adoption and adaptation to other farming systems. The farmer driven approach, which is based on participatory diagnosis of constraints and opportunities and adapted training curricula, should allow rapid outscaling building on experiences. Conservation agriculture approaches including no till, cover crops and crop rotations, are being introduced among the various options for soil productivity improvement. This is expected to include a focus on soil biological management once training materials will be available. The programme is being executed by national bodies (NGO's, governmental institutions and networks). The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT (TSBF-CIAT) is already involved as a partner, as well as resource persons in universities. A joint workshop among partners is planned for February/March 2003 to build on lessons learnt in the development of a wider programme for sub-Saharan Africa. For more information on the activities developed by FFS process visit the FFS-SPI website.

A set of guides on soil health and soil biodiversity are already available:

• "Living Soils": Training Exercises for Integrated Soils Management

This training guide consists of 31 exercises with accompanying reference materials which were compiled and edited by Dr William Settle, currently Senior Ecology Consultant to the FAO Programme for Community Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Asia. All exercises have been field tested in training sessions in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Bangladesh. The document has a total of 101 pages and includes many tables and diagrams. To make it easier to download it has been split into 5 pdf files.

• "Soil Biodiversity manual"

A brochure on standard methods for assessment of soil biodiversity and land use practice. This document is included within a set of lectures notes prepared under the alternatives to Slash-and-Burn project and edited by Prof. Mike Swift and Dr. David Bignell. Download[864 Kb]

• "Soil Health and Biological Management"

This training module is included within a broader Soil Productivity Improvement toolbox.

• "Soil Macrofauna manual"

A soil macrofauna field manual intended for trainers and farmers is being prepared by IRD and partners with FAO support.

• "Salud de suelos"

  A document (in Spanish) prepared by Cornell University together with "Escuela de Agricultura Zamorano" in Honduras (Central America).

FAO is compiling case studies and initiating pilot actions on the ground on assessment and monitoring, adaptive management, and capacity bulding. FAO is also exploring synergy and collaboration in the framework of the LADA project and the CBD programme of work on dry and sub-humid lands.

In order to encourage other organizations to collaborate with FAO in coordinating and facilitating the initiative the Executive Secretary ot the CBD will send a letter to relevant organizations inviting them to facilitate, coordinate and support the development and further implementation of the SBI in collaboration with FAO.