Overview
ISO/TS 18718:2026 provides internationally harmonized definitions, descriptions, and a comprehensive conceptual framework for assessing ecological soil functions and related ecosystem services. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this technical specification brings clarity to the relationships between soil properties, soil functions, and the vital services soils deliver to ecosystems and society. It is targeted at organizations, policymakers, researchers, and land managers involved in soil assessment, sustainable land management, and environmental policy.
This standard does not address non-ecological soil functions, such as structural support or resource extraction, focusing exclusively on the assessment and valuation of ecological aspects and benefits. By promoting common terminology and a shared conceptual background, it supports consistency and comparability across studies, policies, and implementation efforts.
Key Topics
- Definitions and Terminology: The specification establishes clear definitions for core concepts such as soil, topsoil, subsoil, soil functions, soil processes, ecosystem service, soil ecosystem service, and related terms.
- Ecological Soil Functions: The standard examines the core roles soils play within ecosystems, including:
- Water regulation, retention, and release
- Organic matter storage, transformation, and recycling
- Nutrient cycling
- Contaminant retention, transformation, and degradation
- Gas exchanges with the atmosphere
- Habitat provision for organisms
- Physical stability of soils
- Soil Ecosystem Services: The document identifies and classifies the key ecosystem services derived from soil functions, including:
- Biomass production (e.g., food, feed, fiber)
- Hydrological control (purification, supply, regulation)
- Erosion control
- Nutrient and element cycling
- Climate regulation (greenhouse gas regulation, carbon sequestration)
- Biodiversity maintenance and resilience
- Natural pest and disease control
- Contaminant mitigation
- Air quality regulation
- Conceptual Framework: ISO/TS 18718:2026 integrates natural processes, soil management practices, and societal demands within a systems-based framework, supporting the sustainable balance of ecosystem service supply and societal needs. It underscores the influence of both natural drivers (e.g., climate, pests) and anthropogenic factors (e.g., land management, policy).
Applications
ISO/TS 18718:2026 is designed for a wide range of practical applications, offering value to:
- Soil Quality and Soil Health Assessments: Enables the objective evaluation of soil condition based on its capacity to perform vital ecological functions and deliver ecosystem services.
- Land Management and Sustainable Agriculture: Assists land managers and agricultural professionals in designing management practices that protect and enhance ecosystem services.
- Policy and Environmental Governance: Provides a common language for local, national, and international authorities to formulate policies, set targets, and monitor progress toward soil sustainability and ecosystem restoration goals.
- Research and Education: Offers a robust foundation for academic research on soils, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and supporting environmental education on the importance of soil functions.
By harmonizing how organizations identify, describe, and assess soil functions, the standard strengthens transparency, communication, and the implementation of best practices in soil and ecosystem service management.
Related Standards
ISO/TS 18718:2026 complements and connects with several key international standards, including:
- ISO 11074:2025 - Soil quality - Vocabulary: Provides terminology for use in soil science and assessment.
- ISO 14050:2020 - Environmental management - Vocabulary: Defines environmental management and sustainability-related terms.
- ISO/TS 18721 (under preparation) - Presents soil characteristics and indicators necessary for assessing ecological soil functions (strongly linked to ISO/TS 18718's framework).
- ISO 14055-1:2017 - Environmental management - Guidelines for establishing good practices for combatting land degradation and desertification.
- ISO 18772:2008 - Soil quality - Guidance on leaching procedures for subsequent chemical and ecotoxicological testing.
Organizations seeking to implement best practices for sustainable soil management, soil health, and the provision of ecosystem services will benefit from integrating ISO/TS 18718:2026 with these related standards. This approach fosters consistency, comparability, and effectiveness in soil quality evaluation and ecosystem service assessment worldwide.