General Assembly Meeting Frick

Hosted by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL in the picturesque town of Frick, Switzerland, BIOservicES General Assembly Meeting took place in autumn, from October 8 to October 10, 2024. The event brought together a diverse group of researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to advancing the soil biodiversity and ecosystem services, all coming with their different experiences and expertise in the project. 

Highlights of the event 

• Day 1 commenced with a comprehensive overview of each work package, allowing participants to align their objectives and clarify the next steps. A notable highlight was the rich discussions surrounding the soil sampling campaign, emphasizing its significance for our research and, last but not least, for the project goals. Attendees shared insights and strategies, fostering a sense of unity in our mission;

• On Day 2, we were privileged to have a keynote presentation on the ‘Role of Soil Biodiversity in Promoting Soil Health’, followed by an engaging session on stakeholder engagement strategies. The day concluded with a dedicated session focused on collaboration with other projects, demonstrating the collective effort towards common goals in soil biodiversity;

• The last day was dedicated to field visits, and we had the unique opportunity to experience the natural landscapes of Switzerland and local farms through guided tours of FiBL’s Alpine experimental sites.

Main topics of discussion

Throughout this three-day assembly, there were covered several important topics centered around the protection and restoration of soil biodiversity and participants engaged in in-depth discussions surrounding key work packages, including:

• Soil Sampling Campaign

A highlight of the meeting was the discussion surrounding the soil sampling campaign, which plays a key role in our research efforts to assess and enhance soil health.

• Economic Valuation and Policy Frameworks. Work Package 5: Policy and Incentives

We discussed frameworks for assessing the economic value of soil biodiversity and how our project can contribute to new soil certification schemes.

Led by the CMCC Foundation, this session was focused, as well, on WP5’s target mission:

• analyzing policy requirements, barriers, and enablers that impact the protection and restoration of soil biodiversity;
• developing tools and policy recommendations to encourage sustainable management practices;
• conducting a comprehensive review of the upcoming carbon farming certification system from a soil biodiversity perspective.

• Collaboration and Synergies

A dedicated session was held to explore the importance of collaboration with related projects, showcasing innovative initiatives from partners such as SOB4ES, Benchmarks, Soilguard, Excalibur, SoildiverAgro, InBestSoil, MRV4SOC. This session emphasized the transformative power of knowledge exchange in achieving sustainable outcomes.

Field Visits and Tours

To enhance our understanding of the research landscape, attendees enjoyed a guided tour organized by our hosts at FiBL. Participants explored experimental sites in the natural landscapes of Trin and Bonaduz, delving into:

• Semi-Natural Land Use: A closer look at innovative rain-out shelters and open-top chambers utilized in grassland experiments;
• Bonaduz Wetland: Observations of ongoing studies focused on wetland ecosystems and their biodiversity contributions;
• Forest Pastures: Insights into the interactions between forestry, agriculture, and biodiversity management.

This immersive experience underscored the significance of collaborative research efforts and the environmental context of our work.

General Assembly Meeting marked the BIOservicES project’s 1st-year milestone and two significant achievements:

• The successful completion of a complex soil sampling campaign across five biogeographical regions in Europe, including Alpine, Continental, Boreal, Atlantic, and Mediterranean;
• The launch of WP5 – Policy and Incentives by the CMCC Foundation – Centro Euro Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici Foundation.

The insightful discussions, presentations, and field visits enriched our understanding and reinforced the necessity of united efforts in addressing the challenges facing our ecosystems. Together, we are better equipped to champion the cause of soil biodiversity and its essential role in fostering healthy ecosystems!