Microbial Community Structure and Diversity as Indicators for Evaluating Soil Quality

Abstract

Sustainability in agriculture is a complex concept and there is no common viewpoint among scholars about its dimensions. Nonetheless various parameters for measuring agricultural sustainability have been proposed. This manuscript reviews some aspects of agricultural sustainability measures by referring to measuring difficulties, components of sustainability measurement and their interaction. Criteria to select sustainability indicators are discussed. Agricultural sustainability scales at national level and farm level are reviewed. A large number of indicators have been developed but they do not cover all dimensions and levels. Therefore, indicators used for agricultural sustainability should be location specific. They should be constructed within the context of the contemporary socioeconomic and ecological situation. Some recommendations to select indicators in order to better measure agricultural sustainability are presented.