ABSTRACT
The concept of natural conservation at any cost implies that each species is important and must be protected. Increasing evidence shows that a highly diverse and/or adapted biomass preserves ecosystems, enhances soil fertility as a resource for human life, and guarantees the recycling of wastes as well as groundwater quality (Chapter 2). Consequently, biodiversity is vital not only from the ethical but also from the subsistence point of view. Generally, agricultural soils are distinguished in their physico-chemical properties from uncultivated soils; they exhibit a reduced biodiversity but are productive, owing to soil tillage, inorganic and organic fertilization, pesticide application, and liming. These inputs are selec tive and impoverish microbial and faunal species living on, above, or below the soil surface of agroecosystems. Agricultural management practices and their influences on soil faunal diversity are discussed in detail in Section 5 of Chapters 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and in Sections 6 and 7 of Chapter 4.
