Biotic indicators for biodiversity and sustainable agriculture--introduction and background

The paper is an introduction to a volume containing 45 contributions on the development of biotic indicators for sustainable land use and biodiversity. It shows the background and origins of this particular issue as well as the motivation behind it. While a detailed subject-oriented synoptic introduction is provided at the beginning of each section [Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 98 (2003) 35; Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 98 (2003) 79; Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 98 (2003) 255; Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 98 (2003) 305; Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 98 (2003) 407; Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 98 (2003) 371], the intention of this contribution is rather to explain the general concept, the philosophy of the structure chosen, the understanding of important terms and the usefulness of the sections with regard to their content. It therefore serves the reader with a tool to understand this special issue as a whole. The volume is divided into sections "Requirements", "Biodiversity and Habitat" (including "Soil" as a subsection), "Biodiversity and Landscape", "Experiences and Application" and "Economy". From a generic point of view a brief survey is provided on the aspects and their relative backgrounds in each section, and completed by critical comments and conclusions, particularly regarding putting the theory into practice.