本文件规定了从野外土壤中采集和处理蚯蚓的方法，作为将这些动物用作生物指示剂的先决条件（例如，评估土壤作为生物体栖息地的质量）。 本文件适用于蚯蚓生长的所有陆地生物区。ISO 18400-101给出了野外研究的抽样设计，ISO 11268-3给出了野外环境中污染物对蚯蚓影响的测定指南。根据国家要求或采样现场的气候/区域条件，这些方面可能会有所不同（另见附录C）。 本文件不适用于半成品- 陆地土壤，在极端气候或地理条件下（例如高山）很难使用。ISO 23611的其他部分涵盖了一些其他土壤生物群的方法，如弹尾虫。

This document specifies a method for sampling and handling earthworms from field soils as a prerequisite for using these animals as bioindicators (e.g. to assess the quality of a soil as a habitat for organisms). This document applies to all terrestrial biotopes in which earthworms occur. The sampling design of field studies in general is given in ISO 18400？101 and guidance on the determination of effects of pollutants on earthworms in field situations is given in ISO 11268？3. These aspects can vary according to the national requirements or the climatic/regional conditions of the site to be sampled (see also Annex C). This document is not applicable for semi-terrestrial soils and it can be difficult to use under extreme climatic or geographical conditions (e.g. in high mountains). Methods for some other soil organism groups, such as collembolans, are covered in other parts of ISO 23611.