A community effort is needed to move soil modeling forward.
Establishing an international soil modeling consortium is key in this respect.
There is a need to better integrate existing knowledge in soil models.
Integration of data and models is a key challenge in soil modeling.
The remarkable complexity of soil and its importance to a wide range of ecosystem services presents major challenges to the modeling of soil processes. Although major progress in soil models has occurred in the last decades, models of soil processes remain disjointed between disciplines or ecosystem services, with considerable uncertainty remaining in the quality of predictions and several challenges that remain yet to be addressed. First, there is a need to improve exchange of knowledge and experience among the different disciplines in soil science and to reach out to other Earth science communities. Second, the community needs to develop a new generation of soil models based on a systemic approach comprising relevant physical, chemical, and biological processes to address critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of soil processes and their interactions. Overcoming these challenges will facilitate exchanges between soil modeling and climate, plant, and social science modeling communities. It will allow us to contribute to preserve and improve our assessment of ecosystem services and advance our understanding of climate\uffe2\uff80\uff90change feedback mechanisms, among others, thereby facilitating and strengthening communication among scientific disciplines and society. We review the role of modeling soil processes in quantifying key soil processes that shape ecosystem services, with a focus on provisioning and regulating services. We then identify key challenges in modeling soil processes, including the systematic incorporation of heterogeneity and uncertainty, the integration of data and models, and strategies for effective integration of knowledge on physical, chemical, and biological soil processes. We discuss how the soil modeling community could best interface with modern modeling activities in other disciplines, such as climate, ecology, and plant research, and how to weave novel observation and measurement techniques into soil models. We propose the establishment of an international soil modeling consortium to coherently advance soil modeling activities and foster communication with other Earth science disciplines. Such a consortium should promote soil modeling platforms and data repository for model development, calibration and intercomparison essential for addressing contemporary challenges.
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Climate action", "Earth and Environmental Sciences", "Soil Sciences", "[SDU.STU] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences", "Earth Sciences", "Earth sciences & physical geography", "Soils", "101028 Mathematische Modellierung", "saturated-unsaturated flow", "Environmental Sciences", "root water-uptake", " sediment transport models", " diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy", " arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi", " multiple ecosystem services", " saturated-unsaturated flow", " ground-penetrating radar", " synthetic-aperture radar", " digital elevation model", " organic-matter dynamics."]}, "links": [{"href": "https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/263634/1/Vereecken%20VZJ%202016.pdf"}, {"href": "http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.2136/vzj2015.09.0131/fullpdf"}, {"href": "https://escholarship.org/content/qt6976n34c/qt6976n34c.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2164/6134"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Vadose%20Zone%20Journal", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2164/6134", "name": "item", "description": "2164/6134", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2164/6134"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2016-05-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2268/239471", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-26T16:25:39Z", "type": "Report", "title": "Analysing N sources and transformation processes in groundwater under agricultural areas (chalk aquifer, Belgium)", "description": "Transfer of GHGs in the soil \u2013 vadose zone \u2013 groundwater \u2013 river \u2013 atmosphere system", "keywords": ["Sciences de l\u2019environnement & \u00e9cologie", "Physique", " chimie", " math\u00e9matiques & sciences de la terre", "Life sciences", "6. Clean water", "Geological", " petroleum & mining engineering", "Engineering", " computing & technology", "Ing\u00e9nierie", " informatique & technologie", "Sciences de la terre & g\u00e9ographie physique", "Physical", " chemical", " mathematical & earth Sciences", "13. Climate action", "Environmental sciences & ecology", "Earth sciences & physical geography", "Sciences du vivant", "G\u00e9ologie", " ing\u00e9nierie du p\u00e9trole & des mines"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Nikolenko, Olha, Borges, Alberto, Orban, Philippe, Brouy\u00e8re, Serge,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/239471/1/INSPIRATIONBulletin.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2268/239471"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2268/239471", "name": "item", "description": "2268/239471", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2268/239471"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2019-09-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2268/223849", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-07-26T16:25:39Z", "type": "Other", "title": "Biogeochemistry of greenhouse gases in groundwater under agricultural area (the Geer catchment, Belgium)", "keywords": ["Sciences de l\u2019environnement & \u00e9cologie", "Physique", " chimie", " math\u00e9matiques & sciences de la terre", "N2O", "Life sciences", "Geological", " petroleum & mining engineering", "Engineering", " computing & technology", "Sciences de la terre & g\u00e9ographie physique", "Ing\u00e9nierie", " informatique & technologie", "Physical", " chemical", " mathematical & earth Sciences", "Environmental sciences & ecology", "greenhouse gases", "groundwater", "Earth sciences & physical geography", "Sciences du vivant", "G\u00e9ologie", " ing\u00e9nierie du p\u00e9trole & des mines"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Nikolenko, Olha, Orban, Philippe, Jamin, Pierre, Jurado, Anna, Borges, Alberto, Brouy\u00e8re, Serge,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/223849/1/EGU2018-16102-2.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2268/223849"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2268/223849", "name": "item", "description": "2268/223849", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2268/223849"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-04-07T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2268/224877", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-07-26T16:25:39Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2018-05-03", "title": "Noninvasive Imaging of Processes in Natural Porous Media: From Pore to Field Scale", "description": "Core Ideas
Noninvasive, high\uffe2\uff80\uff90resolution imaging is important for visualizing water flow and transport processes.
Most important are X\uffe2\uff80\uff90ray CT, MRI, and neutron CT.
Image processing techniques are mandatory for maximum benefit from the images.
Noninvasive, high\uffe2\uff80\uff90resolution imaging techniques are important for visualizing water flow and transport processes in soils, which are natural porous media. They are a key to understanding effects such as crop production, water resource restoration, CO 2 sequestration, or the transport and fate of pollutants. During the last two decades, the development of three\uffe2\uff80\uff90dimensional imaging techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR and MRI), X\uffe2\uff80\uff90ray computed tomography (CT), and neutron CT has made significant progress possible in the study of soil processes. This special section presents examples of X\uffe2\uff80\uff90ray CT and NMR from the small\uffe2\uff80\uff90column scale to the application of portable NMR equipment in the field, along with some important advances in image processing that make it possible to extract optimal physical information from the original data.
", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "QE1-996.5", "info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/550", "550", "Sciences de l\u2019environnement & \u00e9cologie", "0208 environmental biotechnology", "0207 environmental engineering", "Geology", "02 engineering and technology", "Life sciences", "6. Clean water", "Environmental sciences", "13. Climate action", "Environmental sciences & ecology", "Sciences du vivant", "GE1-350"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/224877/1/vzj-17-1-180044.pdf"}, {"href": "https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/421128/1/vzj_17_1_180044.pdf"}, {"href": "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2136/vzj2018.03.0044"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2268/224877"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Vadose%20Zone%20Journal", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2268/224877", "name": "item", "description": "2268/224877", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2268/224877"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2268/227432", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-07-26T16:25:39Z", "type": "Other", "title": "Dynamics of nitrous oxide in groundwater under agricultural areas: insights from multi-isotopic studies (15N, 34S, 18O, 13C, 3H)", "description": "Open AccessTransfer of GHGs in the soil \u2013 vadose zone \u2013 groundwater \u2013 river \u2013 atmosphere system", "keywords": ["Sciences aquatiques & oc\u00e9anologie", "Sciences de l\u2019environnement & \u00e9cologie", "Environmental sciences & ecology", "groundwater", "Sciences du vivant", "Aquatic sciences & oceanology", "Life sciences", "isotopes", "agriculture"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Nikolenko, Olha, Orban, Philippe, Jurado, Anna, Borges, Alberto, Brouy\u00e8re, Serge,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/227432/1/abstract.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2268/227432"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2268/227432", "name": "item", "description": "2268/227432", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2268/227432"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-04-20T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2268/319017", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-07-26T16:25:39Z", "type": "Report", "created": "2024-02-02", "title": "Potential alternative land covers on Earth", "description": "Preserving and restoring terrestrial ecosystems is crucial to halting the collapse of life on Earth. To guide global conservation and restoration efforts, we present a comprehensive map, encompassing all ecosystems, revealing the Earth's potential tree, short vegetation, and bareground cover accounting for various land management scenarios such as prescribed fire frequency and trophic rewilding. Our analysis indicates that 43% (5678 Mha) of lands could be covered by trees, 39% (5179 Mha) by shrubs and grasses, and 18% (2347 Mha) by bareground. Approximately 1070 Mha can support alternative land covers, emphasizing the need to consider diverse outcomes in landscape restoration. Our findings also suggest that management scenarios may significantly outweigh the average impact of climate change on resulting land covers, underscoring decision-makers' responsibility for nature\u2019s recovery and a sustainable future.
", "keywords": ["Sciences de l\u2019environnement & \u00e9cologie", "13. Climate action", "Environmental sciences & ecology", "Sciences du vivant", "15. Life on land", "Life sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/319017/1/f0711918-32be-409c-b64c-08360e4632ff.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2268/319017"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2268/319017", "name": "item", "description": "2268/319017", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2268/319017"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2024-02-02T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2268/334374", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-07-26T16:25:39Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-07-16", "title": "Global alternatives of natural vegetation cover", "description": "Preserving and restoring terrestrial ecosystems is essential to preventing the decline of life on Earth. To guide global conservation efforts, we present a detailed counterfactual map showing Earth\u2019s natural tree, short vegetation, and bare ground cover. This map accounts for environmental filtering along with realistic scenarios of fire frequency and wildlife herbivory. The most likely scenario suggests 43% (5669\u2009\u00b1\u200974 Mha) of land could support trees, 39% (5183\u2009\u00b1\u200986 Mha) shrubs and grasses, and 18% (2352\u2009\u00b1\u200959 Mha) bare ground. Adjustments in fire and herbivory could shift a minimum of 675 Mha of land, stressing the importance of considering alternative outcomes when restoring a landscape. Our findings also suggest that adjustments in fire frequency and wildlife herbivory could have a greater impact on natural vegetation than expected climate changes by 2050, highlighting decision-makers\u2019 responsibility to guide\u00a0conservation and restoration toward a sustainable and biodiverse future.", "keywords": ["Sciences de l\u2019environnement & \u00e9cologie", "Environmental sciences & ecology", "Sciences du vivant", "Life sciences", "[SDU.ENVI] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Continental interfaces", " environment", "Article"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/334374/1/Bastin%20%282025%29%20-%20Global%20alternative%20of%20vegetation%20cover.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2268/334374"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Nature%20Communications", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2268/334374", "name": "item", "description": "2268/334374", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2268/334374"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-07-16T00:00:00Z"}}], "links": [{"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "This document as GeoJSON", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Sciences+de+l%E2%80%99environnement+&f=json", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"rel": "alternate", "type": "text/html", "title": "This document as HTML", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Sciences+de+l%E2%80%99environnement+&f=html", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection URL", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"type": "application/geo+json", "rel": "first", "title": "items (first)", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Sciences+de+l%E2%80%99environnement+&", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"rel": "last", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "items (last)", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Sciences+de+l%E2%80%99environnement+&offset=7", "hreflang": "en-US"}], "numberMatched": 7, "numberReturned": 7, "distributedFeatures": [], "timeStamp": "2026-07-27T05:20:44.303713Z"}