Bio - Bio Project - European Soil Portal - Europa

Introduction
The words ‘biodiversity’ and ‘bio-indication’ carry complex meanings that are
often intricate and not always understandable to the average citizen.
The elaborate and diverse media-world of television, newspapers, magazines and
scientific journals often speak of biodiversity, a new science and word that was
coined twenty five years ago on the wishes of Jimmy Carter, the then President of
the United States of America.
Since the Rio Conference of 1992, discussions on biodiversity are an obligation in
several sectors. In many cases, it is not possible to write an article on the state of
the environment without introducing this magical word. Perhaps it is a word that
is used too easily or without knowing its exact meaning. Certainly, not enough
effort is made to safeguard and protect the biodiversity of our world as day after
day, the number of species on the planet diminishes like spring snow when
exposed to the sun.
For bio-indication, the story is totally opposite. Bio-indication is a concept
created by man and used unconsciously in the same manner as our nervous
system or when we breathe or when our heart beats. It happens subconsciously
and without us noticing it. The occurrence of reed beds around lake margins is a
bio-indicator. The presence of these plants indicates a humid environment,
therefore, water can be found nearby. Similarly, when certain birds, such as the
Robin, approach our houses in the autumn, it is a sign that the cold, hard season
of winter is arriving. The examples are endless and I do not want to bore the
Reader with a long list!
The use of biodiversity and bio-indication for environmental assessments is
relatively uncommon, limited often to one or two bio-indicators.
However, through the BIO-BIO Project, there was an intention to give a strong
message that through the use of a significant number of bio-indicators, a robust
chemical and physical analysis of soil could be provided. Uniquely, the bioindicators
adopted in the Project contained aspects that addressed the issue of
biodiversity, provided an insight into the three major nutritional networks while at
the same time took into consideration any temporal characteristics related to
seasonal influences that can change the signal of specific bio-indicators.
Many national and international experts have participated and believed in the
goals of the BIO-BIO Project. While their experience and knowledge was
fundamental in addressing key issues within the Project, their effort was
continuous and untiring, culminating eventually in the creation of this volume.
The results obtained, unique in their character, will provide other experts with an
exhaustive and complete example to appraise and follow for the assessment of soil
quality and health, with special attention to those areas that are susceptible to
human pressure.
My colleagues from the Institute of Environment and Sustainability have
collaborated with their usual enthusiasm and, together with the expertise of the
researchers of the Province Pavia, have helped me complete the Project.
To all, I convey my eternal thanks and a bid you farewell until the BIO-BIO 2
Project.
R.M. Cenci