Legal Notice

What is biodiversity? Biodiversity has different meanings depending on the situation being discussed and thetarget audience. For example, the Oxford English Dictionary defines biodiversity as being. The variety of plantand animal life in the world or in a particular habitat. This is definition is clearly sufficient for non-specialists.However, when looking more specifically at biodiversity, it becomes evident that thought needs to be given toother groups such as fungi, bacteria and archea. As soil is such as diverse system when considered biologically(as well as physically or chemically) it is necessary to include all taxonomic groups. Therefore, throughout thisbooklet, when referring to soil biodiversity it will be in reference to the variety of all living organisms found withinthe soil system. How to obtain EU publications Our priced publications are available from EU Bookshop (http://bookshop.europa.eu), where you can placean order with the sales agent of your choice. The Publications Office has a worldwide network of sales agents. You can obtain their contact details bysending a fax to (352) 29 29-42758.