Land degradation and desertification assessment in the EU

The dataset allows for the spatial assessment of land degradation and desertification across continental Europe. The methodology integrates information on land cover dynamics, land productivity and soil degradation
Resource Type: 
Datasets
Soil Threats Data
Registration is requested: 
Yes
Year: 
2026

Title: Land degradation and desertification assessment in the European Union
Description: The dataset allows for the spatial assessment of land degradation and desertification across continental Europe. The methodology integrates information on land cover dynamics, land productivity and soil degradation using a One-Out-All-Out (1OAO) decision framework. Areas identified as degraded are subsequently combined with climatic aridity information (Aridity Index) to delineate current desertification and areas at future risk of desertification. On the desertification assessment side, it introduced an explicit climatic definition of desertification based on the Aridity Index and identifying areas vulnerable to future desertification using climate projections.

Spatial coverage: EU27
Pixel size: 100m     - Type of dataset: GeoPackage
Projection: ETRS 1989 LAEA (EPSG: 3035)

References

Schillaci, C., Broothaerts, N., Yunta Mezquita, F., Panagos, P., Jones, A. (2026). A methodology to characterise land degradation and desertification in the European Union – A response to the European Court of Auditors Special Report 33/2018. Publications Office of the European Union.

Schillaci, C., Broothaerts, N., Yunta, F., Panagos, P., Scarpa, S., Jones, A. (2026). Towards a better characterisation of land degradation and desertification in the European Union – An assessment. Publications Office of the European Union.

Panagos P, Broothaerts N, Ballabio C, Orgiazzi A, De Rosa D, Borrelli P, Liakos L, Vieira D, Van Eynde E, Arias Navarro C, Breure T, Fendrich A, Köninger J, Labouyrie M, Matthews F, Muntwyler A, Jimenez JM, Wojda P, Yunta F, Marechal A, Sala S, Jones A. 2024. How the EU Soil Observatory is providing solid science for healthy soils. European Journal of Soil Science 75(3). e13507. DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13507

Schillaci, C., Yunta, F., Scarpa, S., Wojda, P., Vieira, D., Panagos, P., Pulina, A., and Jones, A. (2026). Enhancing the SDG 15.3.1 land-cover transition matrix using multidecadal vegetation indicators. Journal of Land Use Science, 21(1): 163–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/1747423X.2026.2638216

Prăvălie R, Borrelli P, Panagos P, Ballabio C, Lugato E, Chappell A, Miguez-Macho G, Maggi F, Peng J, Niculiță M, Roșca B, Patriche C, Dumitrașcu M, Bandoc G, Nita I-A, Birsan M-V. 2024. A unifying modelling of multiple land degradation pathways in Europe. Nature Communications 15: 3862. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48252-x

 

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For any problem / question / comment on this dataset, please contact ec-esdac@ec.europa.eu

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  • The data provided has been prepared for use by internal research activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) . 
  • The data are the result of JRC research activities and are primarily made available for further research. The JRC does not accept any liability whatsoever for any error, missing data or omission in the data, or for any loss or damage arising from its use. The JRC agrees to provide the data free of charge but is not bound to justify the content and values contained in the databases.
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  • The user agrees to:
       a) Make proper reference to the source of the data when disseminating the results to which this agreement relates;
       b) Participate in the verification of the data (e.g. by noting and reporting any errors or omissions discovered to the JRC).

 

Reference of source (Citations) :

Schillaci, C., Broothaerts, N., Yunta Mezquita, F., Panagos, P., Jones, A. (2026). A methodology to characterise land degradation and desertification in the European Union – A response to the European Court of Auditors Special Report 33/2018. Publications Office of the European Union.

Schillaci, C., Broothaerts, N., Yunta, F., Panagos, P., Scarpa, S., Jones, A. (2026). Towards a better characterisation of land degradation and desertification in the European Union – An assessment. Publications Office of the European Union.

Panagos P, Broothaerts N, Ballabio C, Orgiazzi A, De Rosa D, Borrelli P, Liakos L, Vieira D, Van Eynde E, Arias Navarro C, Breure T, Fendrich A, Köninger J, Labouyrie M, Matthews F, Muntwyler A, Jimenez JM, Wojda P, Yunta F, Marechal A, Sala S, Jones A. 2024. How the EU Soil Observatory is providing solid science for healthy soils. European Journal of Soil Science 75(3). e13507. DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13507

Schillaci, C., Yunta, F., Scarpa, S., Wojda, P., Vieira, D., Panagos, P., Pulina, A., and Jones, A. (2026). Enhancing the SDG 15.3.1 land-cover transition matrix using multidecadal vegetation indicators. Journal of Land Use Science, 21(1): 163–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/1747423X.2026.2638216

Prăvălie R, Borrelli P, Panagos P, Ballabio C, Lugato E, Chappell A, Miguez-Macho G, Maggi F, Peng J, Niculiță M, Roșca B, Patriche C, Dumitrașcu M, Bandoc G, Nita I-A, Birsan M-V. 2024. A unifying modelling of multiple land degradation pathways in Europe. Nature Communications 15: 3862. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48252-x

 

When making reference to the ESDAC

  • Panagos, P., Van Liedekerke, M., Borrelli, P., Köninger, J., Ballabio, C., Orgiazzi, A., Lugato, E., Liakos, L., Hervas, J., Jones, A.  Montanarella, L. 2022. European Soil Data Centre 2.0: Soil data and knowledge in support of the EU policies. European Journal of Soil Science, 73(6), e13315. DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13315
  • Panagos P., Van Liedekerke M., Jones A., Montanarella L., “European Soil Data Centre: Response to European policy support and public data requirements”; (2012) Land Use Policy, 29 (2), pp. 329-338. doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.07.003
  • European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC), esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu, European Commission, Joint Research Centre