Field related organisms as possible indicators for evaluation of land use intensity

Most farm activities might cause some hazard for the environment. In this context, the effects on the biotic environment are most complex and require a system approach. In this study, we present results on the relation between different farm activities and some important biotic indicators. Farm activities were monitored to determine the socio-economic and abiotic environmental status of an organic farm system, using a farm modelling system based on the REPRO methodology. The project also included field studies on the same site in order to monitor some important biotic indicators. By doing that, the interrelation between abiotic environmental indicators and selected field related organisms (carabids, weeds, earthworm, microbial soil activity) were demonstrated. A complex assessment of the organic farm compared with a conventional farm illustrates the relation between the different indicator groups. In accordance with the OECD-indicator framework these findings are necessary to establish and implement an indirect way to assess the biotic environmental situation on farm level.