Soil — SOER 2015

Description

The ability of soil to deliver ecosystem services — in terms of food production, as biodiversity pools and as a regulator of gasses, water and nutrients — is under increasing pressure. Observed rates of soil sealing, erosion, contamination and decline in organic matter all reduce soil capability. Organic carbon stocks in agricultural soil may have been overestimated by 25%. A coherent soil policy at EU level would provide the framework to coordinate efforts to survey soil status adequately and provide information to preserve soil functions in terms of both adaptation of and mitigation to climate change.

Previous version of assesment: Soil — SOER 2010 thematic assessment.

 

Reference information