Building biological indicators for soil quality assessment in Dong Thap Muoi (Mekong Delta Vietnam): An application of the expert Delphi

Abstract

Assessing soil quality promotes sustainable agricultural practices, especially in areas where agriculture is vital to the economy. This paper focuses on building biological indicators to assess soil quality and to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Dong Thap Muoi region of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. A panel of 17 experts with extensive experience in soil biology and agricultural sciences is gathered to help identify these indicators and to create a reliable framework using the Expert Delphi Method, a consensus-building approach. After a test round and two official rounds of the Delphi process, three main dimensions (biological organisms, biological quality, and relational indicators) and a total of 24 specific indicators are identified. The research finding highlights the importance of biological indicators in evaluating soil health and how they can help improve legal frameworks. These indicators are key for making decisions about land management, policy development, resource distribution, and environmental protection in selected area. Additionally, the need for further research to develop experimental models and practical solutions is indicated, ultimately advancing sustainable agricultural practices particularly in Dong Thap Muoi and more broadly in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.