Documents

Rainfall erosivity maps for (near) real-time soil erosion predictions require the integration of (combinations of) reanalysis products and satellite-retrievals of rainfall, and the overcoming of potential bias related to their simplified spatial and temporal scale. Across Europe, we evaluate: 1) the European Meteorological Observations (EMO) dataset to simulate the localised characteristics of rainfall erosivity at the event scale (EI30), and 2) different implementations of quantile delta mapping (QDM) bias correction to improve the prediction skill. Between 1990 and 2014, evaluations were made at several spatial (location-specific, climatic zone and pan-European) and temporal (event, annual and long-term annual average) scales. The uncorrected EMO predictions demonstrated: 1) a slight overprediction of the number of EI30 events, 2) a reduced coefficient of variation in the EI30 (CV EMO = 1.57, CV REDES = 2.5), and 3) a relatively low (R2 = 0.22, n = 139,306) location-specific predictive skill, with higher discrepancies in all cases in Southern Europe. Following QDM, the EI30 predictions significantly better represented the large-sample variability of EI30 per climate region and improved the monthly correspondence. 

Physical and chemical erosion associated with water both affect land–atmosphere carbon exchanges. However, previous studies have often addressed these processes separately or used oversimplified mechanisms, leading to ongoing debates and uncertainties about erosion-induced carbon fluxes. We provide an overview of the on-site carbon uptake fluxes induced by physical erosion (0.05–0.29 Pg C yr−1, globally) and chemical erosion (0.26–0.48 Pg C yr−1). Then, we discuss off-site carbon dynamics (during transport, deposition, and burial). Soil organic carbon mineralization during transport is nearly 0.37–1.20 Pg C yr−1 on the globe. We also summarize the overall carbon fluxes into estuaries (0.71–1.06 Pg C yr−1) and identify the sources of different types of carbon within them, most of which are associated with land erosion.

Gully formation is a significant driver of soil erosion and land degradation worldwide and often leads to important downstream impacts. Nonetheless, our understanding of the global patterns and the factors controlling this process remains limited. Here, we present the first global assessment of gully density's spatial patterns. Using mapped observations from over 17,000 representative study sites worldwide, we trained random forest models that simulate both the susceptibility to gullying at a 1 km2 resolution and the corresponding gully head density (GHD).map

The global increase in pesticide use has raised concerns about its impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health, in particular of people living near agricultural areas. This study explores the assessment of pesticide exposure and risks to residents at a high spatial granularity using plant protection product data. Our objective was to develop an indicator to monitor pesticide risk levels faced by residents in France by integrating spatial datasets and exposure assessment methodologies. Using spatialized pesticide sales data based on crop authorizations, we mapped potential pesticide loads at the parcel level.

Comparability of soil data derived from different sources is crucial to obtain consistent results when evaluating the soil health status. Discrepancies may arise due to various factors, including uncertainties resulting from different sampling methods. In this study, we compared various soil Physicochemical properties (ST)—pH, organic carbon, texture, cation exchange capacity, nutrients, heavy metals—and microbial diversity (BIO) of samples collected following both the LUCAS Soil (performed by the European Commission Joint Research Centre, JRC) and the Italian (performed by two regional agencies) procedures. The aim was to evaluate the effect of applying different soil sampling protocols on ST and BIO data. Soil samples from 58 LUCAS Soil 2022 sampling sites located in northern Italy were collected following both sampling protocols. 

The special issue “From data to Fork” gathered 15 papers from all over the world in cross-cutting areas of Smart Agriculture Research, including new algorithm development for the agricultural sector, food security, and ecosystem well-being and several study cases. We promoted the concept of reviews and original research papers reporting applications of smart farming from field to fork. The editorial proposed some main groups of papers in the following sections: i) Advances in Precision Agriculture and Crop Monitoring; ii) Technological Innovation for Farm Management and Infrastructure; iii) Digital Outreach and Decision Support Systems.

The effect of fire on plants and soils cannot be viewed in isolation. Plant-soil interactions, and their role in determining the response of ecosystem to fire, has been a widely debated topic. Most studies describe patterns rather than the mechanisms that may lead to variable effects on soils across ecosystems.

Fires can alter soil properties via downward heat transfer. Numerous studies have examined effects of wildfires and prescribed burns on soils, yet knowledge of the soil temperatures and durations reached is limited. This can lead to erroneous assumptions regarding fire impacts, especially when laboratory heating results are extrapolated to field conditions.

Poster with six key facts reveal Europe's soil crisis—erosion, contamination, sealing, biodiversity loss, carbon decline, poor health and the overall cost —highlighting the urgent need for sustainable soil management and protection.

This report addresses soil pollution in the EU, supporting the implementation of the EU's Soil Monitoring Law (SML) and Zero Pollution Action Plan. This document presents the outcomes of workshop with several EU Mission projects on soil pollution, including the SoilWise, ISLANDR, EDAPHOS, ARAGORN, and BENCHMARKS projects. The report provides a comprehensive approach to harmonization and standardization of soil pollution data, essential for effective policy-making and decision-support. The report also provides information on the development of new policy measures, such as the EU's Soil Strategy and proposed Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience. This report hopes to serve ongoing and future Soil Mission projects with data harmonization for a higher dissemination and policy impact. The harmonization of the data will help EU and national/regional policymakers to have a clear view on the state of the soil pollution and therefore reinforce their regulation on soils (e.g., Soil Monitoring Law).

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Healthy soils are essential for providing healthy food and achieving climate neutrality. The publication of the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, the proposed Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive and the Mission Soil marked major milestones for soil protection and restoration in the EU. Given this context, the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) aims to be the principal provider of knowledge and data on soils at the EU-level and to underpin EU policies related to soils. This report highlights the main activities and outcomes of the EUSO in 2024. During this period, the EUSO provided policy support to a wide range of soil related areas, including the proposed Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive, the Carbon Removal Certification Framework and the Mission Soil. A highlight was the launch of the science for policy report ‘The state of soils in Europe’, in collaboration with the European Environment Agency, providing an in-depth examination of the pressures affecting soils across Europe. Furthermore, the EUSO updated its Soil Degradation Dashboard and launched a novel EU Soil Strategy Actions Tracker. The latter shows that almost 70% of the policy actions listed in the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 are completed. Next, the European Soil Data Centre, the leading web platform for sharing data and knowledge about EU soils, has grown significantly with 15 new datasets and a 20% increase in requests for datasets. Additionally, the EUSO contributed directly to advanced scientific knowledge on soils with the publication of 47 scientific papers, 10 technical reports, and 3 science-for-policy reports. Finally, the EUSO organised and contributed to activities to support stakeholder interactions and citizen engagement regarding soils. Highlights include the fourth EUSO Stakeholders Forum, the second Young Soil Researchers Forum, the European Mission Soil Week and the activities of the EUSO Working Groups. During 2025, the EUSO will continue to be the principal provider of soil-related data and knowledge while supporting the implementation of EU policy objectives in relation to soils.

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Soil pollution is a significant environmental and health concern in Europe, with potential links to cancer incidence. The Exploratory Research project “Understanding the links between SOil pollution and CancEr” (SOLACE)” aimed to investigate the complex relationships between soil properties, pollution, land use and human health, providing a foundation for further research and policy development, as part of the Joint Research Centre's (JRC) strategic scientific development.. The scoping review of the existing studies linking soil pollution and cancer identified the knowledge gaps in the fields. We also performed an ecological study across 26 EU countries, which releaved associations between the regional rates of lung cancer mortality and soil pollution with arsenic and cadmium. The SOLACE project underscores the importance of comprehensive soil monitoring to safeguard environmental and human health and emphasizes the need for continued investment in research, monitoring, and policy development to address the complex issues surrounding soil pollution and its impact on human health The SOLACE project achievements contribute to the goals of the JRC by supporting soil-related directives like the Soil Monitoring Law and the Zero Pollution Action Plan.

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