Towards a standardization of soil‐related ecosystem service assessments

Carsten Paul,Kristin Kuhn,Bastian Steinhoff‐Knopp,Katharina Helming,Peter Weißhuhn

doi:10.1111/ejss.13022

Abstract

AbstractThe concept of ecosystem services (ES) creates understanding of the value of ecosystems for human well‐being. With regard to soils, it provides a framework for assessments of soil contributions and soil management impacts. However, a lack of standardization impedes comparisons between assessment studies and the building of synthesis information. The Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) is an important step forward, although its application to soils is not without difficulty. CICES version 5.1 defines 83 ES classes, of which only some are relevant for soils. We compiled two subsets of CICES classes: one set of soil‐related ES comprising 29 services defined as directly and quantifiably controlled by soils and their properties, processes and functions, and another set of 40 ES defined as being affected by agricultural soil management. Additionally, we conducted a systematic literature review, searching for published lists of soil‐related ES that claim completeness. We identified 11 relevant lists. Of all CICES classes, 12 were included in more than 75% of the lists, whereas another 36 classes were included in 25–75% of them. Regarding the suitability of the CICES classification for addressing ES in the context of soils and their agricultural management, we identified constraints, such as overlaps, gaps, and highly specific or very broad class definitions. Close cooperation between the soil research and ES communities could ensure better consideration of soils in future CICES updates. A shortlist of 25 service classes affected by agricultural soil management facilitates a standardized approach and may function as checklists in impact assessments.Highlights Standardized definitions are needed to allow meta‐analysis of ecosystem service studies and improve assessments. CICES defines 83 detailed classes of ecosystem services, suggested as a “default list”. We identified 29 classes as soil related and 40 classes as affected by agricultural soil management. Both subsets facilitate ecosystem service assessments in soil research and comparability of results.

Highlights

Soils are of the highest importance for the well-being of societies
C. assess the suitability of the Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) to reflect soilrelated ecosystem services and ecosystem services affected by agricultural soil management, and formulate recommendations for future updates of the CICES to better integrate the role of soils and their management
As soils are by definition systems of interrelated biotic and abiotic components, we had to match many soil-related service classes mentioned in the literature to more than one CICES class, resulting in a higher number of services in the reassigned list

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Soils are of the highest importance for the well-being of societies. This is highlighted in the concept of soil functions, which first gained prominence through the proposed European Soil Thematic Strategy (European Commission, 2006). Compilation of global evidence on the supply of ES to increase policy relevance In this regard, the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) (Haines-Young & Potschin, 2018) developed on behalf of the European Environment Agency (EEA) constitutes an important step forward (Schwilch et al, 2016). Identifying the ES affected by agricultural soil management provides a necessary tool for the sustainability assessment of agricultural management options (Helming et al, 2018) In this regard, a complete picture is indispensable because consideration of only a selection of the relevant ES may create biased assessment results (Paul & Helming, 2019). B. create a subset of ecosystem services affected by agricultural soil management to facilitate sustainability assessments of soil management options and to integrate them with assessments of soil-related ecosystem services; and. C. assess the suitability of the CICES to reflect soilrelated ecosystem services and ecosystem services affected by agricultural soil management, and formulate recommendations for future updates of the CICES to better integrate the role of soils and their management

| MATERIALS AND METHODS

| RESULTS

| DISCUSSION

Findings

| CONCLUSIONS