Toolkit of soil health indicators with metrics

The InBestSoil project, in its WP3, aims to give a monetary value to the ecosystem services (ES) provided by soils in different land uses. To achieve this, it is essential to quantitatively measure the different ES provided by a soil by selecting appropriate indicators. In this regard, a "Toolkit of Indicators" has been developed, including a selection of relevant and standardized indicators to assess the ES provided by the soil in various land uses. This toolkit is based on sets of indicators used in international and European statistics, as well as a review of scientific literature. Experts in soil health and ES indicators have been consulted to choose the most suitable indicators, tailored for each lighthouse and living labs included in the project.The Toolkit includes indicators related to food and material provisioning, climate regulation, water and soil purification, nutrient cycling, biodiversity conservation, and cultural and recreational aspects. It is not designed to evaluate a single system, but rather to compare different systems and land uses, and highlight the effects of soil interventions. It can be used in full mode, calculating all available indicators, or in limited mode if data is missing for some indicators.In the InBestSoil project, the indicators will be determined based on the data collected in different study areas (Lighthouses and Living Labs). These indicators will help assess the economic values of ES in different locations and based on different management practices.In summary, the Toolkit of Indicators provides a valuable tool for quantifying the ecosystem services provided by the soil and will assist in making informed decisions for the protection and improvement of soil health.