A recent report assesses the current state of soils in Europe. Significantly, it confirms the magnitude of soil degradation across the region.
The publication also highlights the challenges arising from the impact of warfare on soils, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as Ukraine.
This new document is a publication by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s science and knowledge service and the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The report concludes that new policy measures may need to be considered to address these emerging issues and ensure the resilience of European soils.
Assessment of soils
Despite significant progress, knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding diffuse pollution, the social impacts of soil degradation and the effects of warfare on soil health.
Bridging these gaps, according to the report, will require further research and greater public engagement to raise awareness and foster collective action.
The findings presented in the publication highlight several key policy-relevant consequences of soil degradation and recommendations for addressing this issue in Europe.
Firstly, it is evident that existing European Union policy frameworks need to be strengthened to effectively monitor and mitigate soil degradation processes.
This will involve, for instance, implementing legislative mechanisms such as the proposed soil monitoring and resilience directive, which would provide a framework for comprehensive soil health assessments that could in turn support targeted interventions.
In addition, there is a clear need for cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration to tackle soil degradation comprehensively.
Policy measures already in place could be strengthened to incentivise farmers to adopt soil-friendly agricultural practices (e.g., reducing tillage and planting cover crops) and to promote sustainable land management practices through support schemes and capacity-building initiatives.
Urgency
Overall, the findings of the report emphasise the urgency of addressing soil degradation in Europe through targeted policy interventions, collaborative approaches and continued investment in research and innovation.
Specifically, the report offers a comprehensive examination of soil degradation in the 32 EEA member countries and in six collaborating nations in the western Balkans, Ukraine and the UK.
Moreover, it draws on the latest research, case studies and soil monitoring data, providing a thorough analysis of soil threats and their implications.
Between 2012 and 2018, more than 400km² of land was lost per year to soil sealing in the European Union.
In addition, about 74% of agricultural land in the EU and UK faces excessive nitrogen inputs, while extensive areas exhibit phosphorus surpluses.
Meanwhile, pesticide residues and other pollutants are prevalent in agricultural soils, further exacerbating environmental concerns. However, many countries still lack comprehensive data on soil health, according to the report.
