Threats to Soil Quality in Europe

During the recent years, there has been a surge of concern and attention in Europe to soil degradation processes. One of the most innovative aspects of the newly proposed Soil Thematic Strategy for the EU is the recognition of the multifunctionality of soils. This report is summarizing the reserch results on the fields of soil degradation and soil quality reserach. Chapters of the report include: Preface Characterisation of soil degradation risk: an overview Soil quality in the European Union Main threats to soil quality in Europe The Natural Susceptibility on European Soils to Compaction Soil Erosion: a main threats to the soils in Europe Soil Erosion risk assessment in the alpine area according to the IPCC scenarios An example of the threat of wind erosion using DSM techniques Updated map of salt affected soils in the European Union A framework to estimate the distribution of heavy metals in European Soils Application of Soil Organic Carbon Status Indicators for policy-decision making in the EU Main threats on soil biodiversity: The case of agricultural activities impacts on soil microarthropods Implications of soil threats on agricultural areas in Europe MEUSIS, a Multi-Scale European Soil Information System (MEUSIS): novel ways to derive soil indicators through UpscalingJRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard

The Map of Organic Carbon in Topsoils in Europe

Abstract not availableJRC.H-Institute for environment and sustainability (Ispra

Case Study - Italy, Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation (SoCo Project)

This Technical Note 'Case Study ¿ Italy' is part of a series of case studies within the ¿Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation¿ (SoCo) project. Ten case studies were carried out in Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom between spring and summer 2008. The selection of case study areas was designed to capture differences in soil degradation processes, soil types, climatic conditions, farm structures and farming practices, institutional settings and policy priorities. A harmonised methodological approach was pursued in order to gather insights from a range of contrasting conditions over a geographically diverse area. The case studies were carried out by local experts to reflect the specificities of the selected case studies.JRC.DDG.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Addressing Soil Degradation in EU Agriculture: Relevant Processes, Practices and Policies - Report on the project 'Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation (SoCo)'

Agriculture occupies a substantial proportion of the European land, and consequently plays an important role in maintaining natural resources and cultural landscapes, a precondition for other human activities in rural areas. Unsustainable farming practices and land use, including mismanaged intensification as well as land abandonment, have an adverse impact on natural resources. Having recognised the environmental challenges of agricultural land use, the European Parliament requested the European Commission in 2007 to carry out a pilot project on "Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation through simplified cultivation techniques" (SoCo). The project originated from a close cooperation between the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). It was implemented by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) and the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES). This report presents the findings of a stock-taking of the current situation with respect to soil degradation processes, soil-friendly farming practices and relevant policy measures within an EU-wide perspective. This overview includes the results of the survey on the national/regional implementation of EU policies and national policies, a classification of the described soil degradation processes, soil conservation practices and policy measures, and finally the outcome of the Stakeholder Workshop which took place on 22 May 2008 in Brussels.JRC.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

La Strategia Tematica sulla Protezione del Suolo in Europa.

Abstract not availableJRC.H-Institute for environment and sustainability (Ispra

Forests and the Pan-European Soil Monitoring Network of the European Soil Bureau.

Abstract not availableJRC.H-Institute for environment and sustainability (Ispra

Programma d'Azione per la Lotta alla Siccità e alla Desertificazione. Indicazione delle Areee Vulnerabili in Puglia.

Abstract not availableJRC.(SAI)-Space Application Institut

Effects of Climate Change on the Soil Erosion Risk in Alpine Areas

Soil erosion is of primary importance in mountains. The main research methodologies focus on erosion in an agricultural context or in hilly areas with a mild climate. Therefore their application in mountain areas with their extreme complexity is not straightforward. This article discusses the result of a study which has used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to predict future soil erosion risk in the Alps. Key words: Alps, climate change, erosion, RUSLEJRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard

8.4 Il Cambiamento Climatico e l'Erosione Idrica dei Suoli nell'Area Alpina

The publication will be an analysis on climate change effects and would be a first step to tackle the climate change challenges in Italy. The authors were in charge to analyze the relationship between climate change and soil erosion in the Alpine area. The analysis is made on the actual soil erosion risk and the soil erosion risk according to the climatic data of A2 and B2 scenarios defined by IPCC. The used model is the Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The results shown that with the climate change scenarios there is a change in the precipitation patterns and an increase of the soil erosion risk in the Alpine areas for the high and very high soil erosion risk classes. The authors underlying the needs for the future research in terms of the better quality of the model data input and verification and calibration of the used model.JRC.DDG.H.7-Land management and natural hazard

Urbanizzazione e Sicurezza Alimentare: Alcuni Dati sulle Tendenze Europee

La perdita di suoli a destinazione agricola potrebbe sembrare, in una società opulenta come la nostra, un problema di limitata importanza; se in Italia non viene prodotto grano a sufficienza per le esigenze interne del paese, si ritiene che sia sufficiente rivolgersi al mercato mondiale per procurarsi ciò di cui si ha bisogno. Le cose fino ad ora sono andate più o meno così, potendo contare sull¿effetto ammortizzatore delle riserve mondiali di cereali. In realtà si deve riflettere sul fatto che la produzione mondiale di cereali è tendenzialmente costante, i consumi alimentari del pianeta in crescita, e le possibilità di convertire nuove terre alla coltivazione è piuttosto limitata. E¿ sufficiente un¿annata come il 2007 per rendersi conto di quanto precari siano gli equilibri sui quali si regge la nostra sicurezza alimentare. L¿obiettivo della presente ricerca è stato quello di valutare gli effetti delle trasformazioni territoriali avvenute in Europa tra il 1990 ed il 2000, con particolare riferimento al processo di urbanizzazione, sulla potenzialità produttiva del settore agricolo. A tale scopo sono stati analizzati i dati del sistema Corine Land Cover 1990 e 2000 ed i dati del European Soil Data Base. Si è provveduto non solo a valutare la contrazione delle aree agricole in termini quantitativi, ma anche la loro attribuzione alle diverse tipologie di suoli, caratterizzate da potenzialità produttive differenziate. Sulla base di tali dati, dei dati climatici e dei dati statistici relativi alle produzioni medie di cereali nelle diverse aree europee, si è ottenuta una stima della potenziale riduzione di potenzialità produttiva del settore primario.JRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard