{"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [{"id": "10.1002/ldr.3006", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:14:14Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2018-05-12", "title": "Impacts of climate change adaptation options on soil functions: A review of European case-studies", "description": "Abstract

Soils are vital for supporting food security and other ecosystem services. Climate change can affect soil functions both directly and indirectly. Direct effects include temperature, precipitation, and moisture regime changes. Indirect effects include those that are induced by adaptations such as irrigation, crop rotation changes, and tillage practices. Although extensive knowledge is available on the direct effects, an understanding of the indirect effects of agricultural adaptation options is less complete. A review of 20 agricultural adaptation case\uffe2\uff80\uff90studies across Europe was conducted to assess implications to soil threats and soil functions and the link to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The major findings are as follows: (a) adaptation options reflect local conditions; (b) reduced soil erosion threats and increased soil organic carbon are expected, although compaction may increase in some areas; (c) most adaptation options are anticipated to improve the soil functions of food and biomass production, soil organic carbon storage, and storing, filtering, transforming, and recycling capacities, whereas possible implications for soil biodiversity are largely unknown; and (d) the linkage between soil functions and the SDGs implies improvements to SDG 2 (achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture) and SDG 13 (taking action on climate change), whereas the relationship to SDG 15 (using terrestrial ecosystems sustainably) is largely unknown. The conclusion is drawn that agricultural adaptation options, even when focused on increasing yields, have the potential to outweigh the negative direct effects of climate change on soil degradation in many European regions.

", "keywords": ["sol", "[SDE.MCG]Environmental Sciences/Global Changes", "Sustainable Development Goals", "Sustainable development goals", "regional case studies", "adaptation", "Soil degradation", "01 natural sciences", "service \u00e9cosyst\u00e9mique", "630", "333", "soil", "12. Responsible consumption", "soil degradation", "Regional case-studies", "Agrucultural adaption", "DPSIR", "11. Sustainability", "regional case-studies", "Agricultural adaptation; DPSIR; Regional case-studies; Soil degradation; Sustainable Development Goals; Environmental Chemistry; Development3304 Education; 2300; Soil Science", "Climate change", "Research Articles", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "VDP::Landbruks- og Fiskerifag: 900", "agricultural adaptation", "15. Life on land", "6. Clean water", "services \u00e9cosyst\u00e9miques", "13. Climate action"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ldr.3006"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3006"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Land%20Degradation%20%26amp%3B%20Development", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1002/ldr.3006", "name": "item", "description": "10.1002/ldr.3006", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1002/ldr.3006"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-05-30T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175642", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:17:10Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-08-18", "title": "Benchmarking soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration provides more robust soil health assessment than the SOC/clay ratio at European scale", "description": "Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) confers benefits to soil health, biodiversity, underpins carbon sequestration and ameliorates land degradation. One recommendation is to increase SOC such that the SOC to clay ratio (SOC/clay) exceeds 1/13, yet normalising SOC levels based on clay alone gives misleading indications of soil structure and the potential to store additional carbon. Building on work by Poeplau & Don (2023) to benchmark observed against predicted SOC, we advance an alternative indicator: the ratio between observed and 'typical' SOC (O/T SOC) for pan-European application. Here, 'typical' SOC is the average concentration in different pedo-climate zones, PCZs (which, unlike existing SOC indicators, incorporate land cover and climate, alongside soil texture) across Europe, determined from mineral (<20\u00a0% organic matter) topsoils (0-20\u00a0cm) sampled during 2009-2018 in LUCAS, Europe's largest soil monitoring scheme (n\u00a0=\u00a019,855). Regression tree modelling derived 12 PCZs, with typical SOC values ranging 5.99-39.65\u00a0g\u00a0kg-1. New index classes for comparison with SOC/clay grades were established from the quartiles of each PCZ's O/T SOC distribution; these were termed: 'Low' (below the 25th percentile), 'Intermediate' (between the 25th and 50th percentiles), 'High' (between the 50th and 75th percentiles), and 'Very high' (above the 75th percentile). Compared with SOC/clay, O/T SOC was less sensitive to clay content, land cover, and climate, less geographically skewed, and better reflected differences in soil porosity and SOC stock, supporting 2 EU Soil Health Mission objectives (consolidating SOC stocks; improving soil structure for crops and biota). These patterns held for 2 independent datasets, and O/T SOC grades were sensitive enough to reflect land management differences across several long-term field experiments. O/T SOC used in conjunction with several other physical, chemical and biological soil health indicators can help support the EU Soil Monitoring Law and achieve several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.", "keywords": ["soil monitoring", "pedo-climate zones", "clay", "soil carbon", "soil structure", "sustainable development goals"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175642"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Science%20of%20The%20Total%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175642", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175642", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175642"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2024-11-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1098/rstb.2020.0175", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:19:05Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2021-08-08", "title": "The role of soils in regulation and provision of blue and green water", "description": "

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims for clean water and sanitation for all by 2030, through eight subgoals dealing with four themes: (i) water quantity and availability, (ii) water quality, (iii) finding sustainable solutions and (iv) policy and governance. In this opinion paper, we assess how soils and associated land and water management can help achieve this goal, considering soils at two scales: local soil health and healthy landscapes. The merging of these two viewpoints shows the interlinked importance of the two scales. Soil health reflects the capacity of a soil to provide ecosystem services at a specific location, taking into account local climate and soil conditions. Soil is also an important component of a healthy and sustainable landscape, and they are connected by the water that flows through the soil and the transported sediments. Soils are linked to water in two ways: through plant-available water in the soil (green water) and through water in surface bodies or available as groundwater (blue water). In addition, water connects the soil scale and the landscape scale by flowing through both. Nature-based solutions at both soil health and landscape-scale can help achieve sustainable future development but need to be embedded in good governance, social acceptance and economic viability.

This article is part of the theme issue \u2018The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People\u2019.

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This special issue provides an assessment of the contribution of soils to Nature's Contributions to People (NCP). Here, we combine this assessment and previously published relationships between NCP and delivery on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to infer contributions of soils to the SDGs. We show that in addition to contributing positively to the delivery of all NCP, soils also have a role in underpinning all SDGs. While highlighting the great potential of soils to contribute to sustainable development, it is recognized that poorly managed, degraded or polluted soils may contribute negatively to both NCP and SDGs. The positive contribution, however, cannot be taken for granted, and soils must be managed carefully to keep them healthy and capable of playing this vital role. A priority for soil management must include: (i) for healthy soils in natural ecosystems,protectthem from conversion and degradation; (ii) for managed soils,managein a way to protect and enhance soil biodiversity, health and sustainability and to prevent degradation; and (iii) for degraded soils, restore to full soil health. We have enough knowledge now to move forward with the implementation of best management practices to maintain and improve soil health. This analysis shows that this is not just desirable, it is essential if we are to meet the SDG targets by 2030 and achieve sustainable development more broadly in the decades to come.

This article is part of the theme issue \uffe2\uff80\uff98The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People\uffe2\uff80\uff99.The importance of soils to society has gained increasing recognition over the past decade, with the potential to contribute to most of the United Nations\uffe2\uff80\uff99 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With unprecedented and growing demands for food, water and energy, there is an urgent need for a global effort to address the challenges of climate change and land degradation, whilst protecting soil as a natural resource. In this paper, we identify the contribution of soil science over the past decade to addressing gaps in our knowledge regarding major environmental challenges: climate change, food security, water security, urban development, and ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Continuing to address knowledge gaps in soil science is essential for the achievement of the SDGs. However, with limited time and budget, it is also pertinent to identify effective methods of working that ensure the research carried out leads to real\uffe2\uff80\uff90world impact. Here, we suggest three strategies for the next decade of soil science, comprising a greater implementation of research into policy, interdisciplinary partnerships to evaluate function trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies between soils and other environmental domains, and integrating monitoring and modelling methods to ensure soil\uffe2\uff80\uff90based policies can withstand the uncertainties of the future.

Highlights

We highlight the contributions of soil science to five major environmental challenges since 2010.

Researchers have contributed to recommendation reports, but work is rarely translated into policy.

Interdisciplinary work should assess trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies between soils and other domains.

Integrating monitoring and modelling is key for robust and sustainable soils\uffe2\uff80\uff90based policymaking.

Land-management options for greenhouse gas removal (GGR) include afforestation or reforestation (AR), wetland restoration, soil carbon sequestration (SCS), biochar, terrestrial enhanced weathering (TEW), and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). We assess the opportunities and risks associated with these options through the lens of their potential impacts on ecosystem services (Nature's Contributions to People; NCPs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We find that all land-based GGR options contribute positively to at least some NCPs and SDGs. Wetland restoration and SCS almost exclusively deliver positive impacts. A few GGR options, such as afforestation, BECCS, and biochar potentially impact negatively some NCPs and SDGs, particularly when implemented at scale, largely through competition for land. For those that present risks or are least understood, more research is required, and demonstration projects need to proceed with caution. For options that present low risks and provide cobenefits, implementation can proceed more rapidly following no-regrets principles.

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This article reports on Citizen Observatories\u2019 (COs) potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting on the experience of the GROW Observatory (GROW). The research aims to take the first steps in closing the gap in the literature on COs\u2019 potential contributions to the SDG framework, beyond quantitative data contributions for indicator monitoring. Following an analysis of project activities and outcomes mapped against the SDG framework, the findings reveal GROW\u2019s potential contributions across two dimensions: (i) Actions to advance the implementation of goals and targets through awareness raising and training; participatory methods; multi-stakeholder connections; and supporting citizens to move from data to action and (ii) Data contributions to SDG indicator monitoring through citizen-generated datasets. While earlier research has focused mostly on the latter (dimension ii), CO activities can impact numerous goals and targets, highlighting their potential to relate global SDGs to local level action, and vice versa. These findings align with the growing literature on COs\u2019 ability to bring together policy makers, scientists and citizens, and support changes to environmental policy and practice. Furthermore, this research suggests groundwork activities that address the goal and target level can also enhance sustained data collection to contribute to indicator level monitoring. We conclude with future trends and recommendations for COs wishing to contribute to the SDGs.

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Sustainability", "Citizen Observatory", "co-design", "SDG indicators", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10518/pdf"}, {"href": "https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/16942/1/sustainability-12-10518.pdf"}, {"href": "https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/16942/2/sustainability-12-10518-s001.pdf"}, {"href": "http://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/16942/1/sustainability-12-10518.pdf"}, {"href": "http://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/16942/2/sustainability-12-10518-s001.pdf"}, {"href": "https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10518/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410518"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Sustainability", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3390/su122410518", "name": "item", "description": "10.3390/su122410518", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3390/su122410518"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-12-16T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.4337/9781035342839", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:22:25Z", "type": "Report", "created": "2025-03-14", "title": "Universities and the Sustainable Development Goals", "description": "EmbargoDrawing on a diverse array of case studies from universities around the world, this comprehensive book tackles the key challenges to progressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within higher education institutions. Expert authors provide an in-depth analysis of how universities in the Global North and South are engaging with and contributing to the SDGs, highlighting a wide range of approaches and experiences in different socio-economic and cultural contexts. This book examines the goal of the SDGs to expand on traditional ideas of development by emphasising broader, more inclusive and interconnected actions, as well as common difficulties faced by educational institutions attempting to achieve these aims. Chapters cover issues such as varying starting points for different countries, the involvement of civil society, the use of contextualised methods, and adaptability to changing global agendas.", "keywords": ["Objetivos Desarrollo Sostenible", "Agenda 2030", "Sustainable Development Goals", "Universidad Critica", "Universities and Social Change"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Manzanera Ruiz, Roser, Tudela V\u00e1zquez, Mar\u00eda del Pilar, \u00c1lvarez Lucena, Nacho,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035342839"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.4337/9781035342839", "name": "item", "description": "10.4337/9781035342839", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.4337/9781035342839"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-03-21T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.5281/zenodo.7746495", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:24:53Z", "type": "Dataset", "title": "ELABORATION OF THE ITALIAN PORTION OF THE GLOBAL SOIL ORGANIC CARBON MAP (GSOCMAP)", "description": "Open Accessc_stock: mean value c_stock_cv: coefficient of variation c_stock_sd: standard deviation c_stock_se: standard error c_stock_minus: lower bound of the confidence interval c_stock_plus: upper limit of the confidence interval", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "http://id.agrisemantics.org/gacs/C3841", "carbon sequestration", " common agricultural policy", " digital soil mapping", " land degradation neutrality", " national soil hub", " sustainable development goals", "15. Life on land", "national soil hub", "sustainable development goals", "carbon sequestration", "common agricultural policy", "6. Clean water", "https://www.geonames.org/countries/IT/italy.html", "13. Climate action", "digital soil mapping", "https://inspire.ec.europa.eu/theme/so", "land degradation neutrality", "https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/67854"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Fantappi\u00e8, Maria, Calzolari, Costanza, Ungaro, Fabrizio, Ialina Vinci, Giandon, Paolo, Muscolo, Adele, Zaccone, Claudio, Dell'Abate, Maria Teresa, L'Abate, Giovanni, Pellegrini, Sergio, Brenna, Stefano, Staffilani, Francesca, Petrella, Fabio, Gardin, Lorenzo, Barbieri, Stefano, Pini, Stefano, Tiberi, Mauro, Paone, Raffaele, Scamarcio, Luigi, D'Antonio, Amedeo, Guaitoli, Fabio, Munaf\u00f2, Michele, Fumanti, Fiorenzo, Napoli, Rosario, D'Acqui, Luigi, Martal\u00f2, Paolo, Tarocco, Paola, Costantini, Edoardo A. C.,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7746495"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.5281/zenodo.7746495", "name": "item", "description": "10.5281/zenodo.7746495", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.5281/zenodo.7746495"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2018-12-05T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10481/103117", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:26:07Z", "type": "Report", "created": "2025-03-14", "title": "Universities and the Sustainable Development Goals", "description": "EmbargoDrawing on a diverse array of case studies from universities around the world, this comprehensive book tackles the key challenges to progressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within higher education institutions. Expert authors provide an in-depth analysis of how universities in the Global North and South are engaging with and contributing to the SDGs, highlighting a wide range of approaches and experiences in different socio-economic and cultural contexts. This book examines the goal of the SDGs to expand on traditional ideas of development by emphasising broader, more inclusive and interconnected actions, as well as common difficulties faced by educational institutions attempting to achieve these aims. 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Land-management options for greenhouse gas removal (GGR) include afforestation or reforestation (AR), wetland restoration, soil carbon sequestration (SCS), biochar, terrestrial enhanced weathering (TEW), and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). We assess the opportunities and risks associated with these options through the lens of their potential impacts on ecosystem services (Nature's Contributions to People; NCPs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We find that all land-based GGR options contribute positively to at least some NCPs and SDGs. Wetland restoration and SCS almost exclusively deliver positive impacts. A few GGR options, such as afforestation, BECCS, and biochar potentially impact negatively some NCPs and SDGs, particularly when implemented at scale, largely through competition for land. For those that present risks or are least understood, more research is required, and demonstration projects need to proceed with caution. For options that present low risks and provide cobenefits, implementation can proceed more rapidly following no-regrets principles.

", "keywords": ["330", "Sustainable Development Goals", "710", "SDG", "CDR", "01 natural sciences", "333", "nature's contributions to people", "12. Responsible consumption", "wetland restoration", "soil carbon sequestration", "negative emission technology", "afforestation/reforestation", "11. Sustainability", "BECCS", "NCPs", "biochar", "UN Sustainable Development Goals", "carbon dioxide removal", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "bioenergy with carbon capture and storage", "greenhouse gas removal", "15. Life on land", "6. Clean water", "SDG 15", "NET", "Nature's Contributions to People", "13. Climate action", "ecosystem services", "terrestrial enhanced weathering"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev-environ-101718-033129"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/1959.13/1433083"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Annual%20Review%20of%20Environment%20and%20Resources", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "1959.13/1433083", "name": "item", "description": "1959.13/1433083", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/1959.13/1433083"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2019-10-17T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "1959.13/1492918", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:26:37Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2021-08-08", "title": "The role of soils in regulation and provision of blue and green water", "description": "

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims for clean water and sanitation for all by 2030, through eight subgoals dealing with four themes: (i) water quantity and availability, (ii) water quality, (iii) finding sustainable solutions and (iv) policy and governance. In this opinion paper, we assess how soils and associated land and water management can help achieve this goal, considering soils at two scales: local soil health and healthy landscapes. The merging of these two viewpoints shows the interlinked importance of the two scales. Soil health reflects the capacity of a soil to provide ecosystem services at a specific location, taking into account local climate and soil conditions. Soil is also an important component of a healthy and sustainable landscape, and they are connected by the water that flows through the soil and the transported sediments. Soils are linked to water in two ways: through plant-available water in the soil (green water) and through water in surface bodies or available as groundwater (blue water). In addition, water connects the soil scale and the landscape scale by flowing through both. Nature-based solutions at both soil health and landscape-scale can help achieve sustainable future development but need to be embedded in good governance, social acceptance and economic viability.

This article is part of the theme issue \u2018The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People\u2019.

", "keywords": ["Climate", "Sustainable Development Goals", "01 natural sciences", "12. Responsible consumption", "Soil", "Water Quality", "11. Sustainability", "SDG 6", "nature-based solutions", "Ecosystem", "SDG 3", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "SDG 17", "Conservation of Water Resources", "soil health", "1. No poverty", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "SDG 12", "6. Clean water", "13. Climate action", "Sustainable Development Goal 6", "connectivity", "blue and green water", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "ecosystem services"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/1959.13/1492918"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Philosophical%20Transactions%20of%20the%20Royal%20Society%20B%3A%20Biological%20Sciences", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "1959.13/1492918", "name": "item", "description": "1959.13/1492918", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/1959.13/1492918"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2021-08-04T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "20.500.11820/9f80250d-86e9-4189-ae84-22acf2256751", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:26:46Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-12-16", "title": "Local Action with Global Impact: The Case of the GROW Observatory and the Sustainable Development Goals", "description": "

This article reports on Citizen Observatories\u2019 (COs) potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting on the experience of the GROW Observatory (GROW). The research aims to take the first steps in closing the gap in the literature on COs\u2019 potential contributions to the SDG framework, beyond quantitative data contributions for indicator monitoring. Following an analysis of project activities and outcomes mapped against the SDG framework, the findings reveal GROW\u2019s potential contributions across two dimensions: (i) Actions to advance the implementation of goals and targets through awareness raising and training; participatory methods; multi-stakeholder connections; and supporting citizens to move from data to action and (ii) Data contributions to SDG indicator monitoring through citizen-generated datasets. While earlier research has focused mostly on the latter (dimension ii), CO activities can impact numerous goals and targets, highlighting their potential to relate global SDGs to local level action, and vice versa. These findings align with the growing literature on COs\u2019 ability to bring together policy makers, scientists and citizens, and support changes to environmental policy and practice. Furthermore, this research suggests groundwork activities that address the goal and target level can also enhance sustained data collection to contribute to indicator level monitoring. We conclude with future trends and recommendations for COs wishing to contribute to the SDGs.

", "keywords": ["participatory policy making", "330", "Sustainable Development Goals", "open data", "01 natural sciences", "333", "sustainable development Goals", "63 Sociolog\u00eda", "12. Responsible consumption", "13. Climate action", "citizen science", "11. Sustainability", "Citizen Observatory", "co-design", "citizen observatory", "SDG indicators", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10518/pdf"}, {"href": "https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/16942/1/sustainability-12-10518.pdf"}, {"href": "https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/16942/2/sustainability-12-10518-s001.pdf"}, {"href": "http://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/16942/1/sustainability-12-10518.pdf"}, {"href": "http://pure.iiasa.ac.at/id/eprint/16942/2/sustainability-12-10518-s001.pdf"}, {"href": "https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10518/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/20.500.11820/9f80250d-86e9-4189-ae84-22acf2256751"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Sustainability", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "20.500.11820/9f80250d-86e9-4189-ae84-22acf2256751", "name": "item", "description": "20.500.11820/9f80250d-86e9-4189-ae84-22acf2256751", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/20.500.11820/9f80250d-86e9-4189-ae84-22acf2256751"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-12-16T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "2164/16986", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:27:02Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2021-08-08", "title": "Soil-derived Nature's Contributions to People and their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals", "description": "

This special issue provides an assessment of the contribution of soils to Nature's Contributions to People (NCP). Here, we combine this assessment and previously published relationships between NCP and delivery on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to infer contributions of soils to the SDGs. We show that in addition to contributing positively to the delivery of all NCP, soils also have a role in underpinning all SDGs. While highlighting the great potential of soils to contribute to sustainable development, it is recognized that poorly managed, degraded or polluted soils may contribute negatively to both NCP and SDGs. The positive contribution, however, cannot be taken for granted, and soils must be managed carefully to keep them healthy and capable of playing this vital role. A priority for soil management must include: (i) for healthy soils in natural ecosystems,protectthem from conversion and degradation; (ii) for managed soils,managein a way to protect and enhance soil biodiversity, health and sustainability and to prevent degradation; and (iii) for degraded soils, restore to full soil health. We have enough knowledge now to move forward with the implementation of best management practices to maintain and improve soil health. This analysis shows that this is not just desirable, it is essential if we are to meet the SDG targets by 2030 and achieve sustainable development more broadly in the decades to come.

This article is part of the theme issue \uffe2\uff80\uff98The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People\uffe2\uff80\uff99.The importance of soils to society has gained increasing recognition over the past decade, with the potential to contribute to most of the United Nations\uffe2\uff80\uff99 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With unprecedented and growing demands for food, water and energy, there is an urgent need for a global effort to address the challenges of climate change and land degradation, whilst protecting soil as a natural resource. In this paper, we identify the contribution of soil science over the past decade to addressing gaps in our knowledge regarding major environmental challenges: climate change, food security, water security, urban development, and ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Continuing to address knowledge gaps in soil science is essential for the achievement of the SDGs. However, with limited time and budget, it is also pertinent to identify effective methods of working that ensure the research carried out leads to real\uffe2\uff80\uff90world impact. Here, we suggest three strategies for the next decade of soil science, comprising a greater implementation of research into policy, interdisciplinary partnerships to evaluate function trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies between soils and other environmental domains, and integrating monitoring and modelling methods to ensure soil\uffe2\uff80\uff90based policies can withstand the uncertainties of the future.

Highlights

We highlight the contributions of soil science to five major environmental challenges since 2010.

Researchers have contributed to recommendation reports, but work is rarely translated into policy.

Interdisciplinary work should assess trade\uffe2\uff80\uff90offs and synergies between soils and other domains.

Integrating monitoring and modelling is key for robust and sustainable soils\uffe2\uff80\uff90based policymaking.

", "keywords": ["330", "550", "QH301 Biology", "Sustainable Development Goals", "NE/R016429/1", "Urban development", "[SDV.SA.SDS]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences/Soil study", "01 natural sciences", "333", "Ecosystems", "12. Responsible consumption", "QH301", "11. Sustainability", "SDG 13 - Climate Action", "774378", "Climate change", "SDG 2 - Zero Hunger", "European Commission", "[SDV.SA.SDS] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences/Soil study", "869625", "SDG 15 - Life on Land", "biodiversity", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)", "NE/P019455/1", "biodiversity; climate change; ecosystems; food security; sustainable development goals; urban development; water security", "Food security", "Biodiversity", "food security", "15. Life on land", "sustainable development goals", "water security", "urban development", "[SHS.SCIPO]Humanities and Social Sciences/Political science", "6. Clean water", "climate change", "13. Climate action", "Water security", "ecosystems", "[SHS.SCIPO] Humanities and Social Sciences/Political science"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/3157809/1/2021%20Evans%20et%20al%20-%20European%20Journal%20of%20Soil%20Science.pdf"}, {"href": "https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/157184/1/Evans_etal_2021_Decade.pdf"}, {"href": "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ejss.13145"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/2164/18196"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/European%20Journal%20of%20Soil%20Science", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "2164/18196", "name": "item", "description": "2164/18196", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/2164/18196"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2021-07-26T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "39163941", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-04-13T16:28:04Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-08-18", "title": "Benchmarking soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration provides more robust soil health assessment than the SOC/clay ratio at European scale", "description": "Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) confers benefits to soil health, biodiversity, underpins carbon sequestration and ameliorates land degradation. One recommendation is to increase SOC such that the SOC to clay ratio (SOC/clay) exceeds 1/13, yet normalising SOC levels based on clay alone gives misleading indications of soil structure and the potential to store additional carbon. Building on work by Poeplau & Don (2023) to benchmark observed against predicted SOC, we advance an alternative indicator: the ratio between observed and 'typical' SOC (O/T SOC) for pan-European application. Here, 'typical' SOC is the average concentration in different pedo-climate zones, PCZs (which, unlike existing SOC indicators, incorporate land cover and climate, alongside soil texture) across Europe, determined from mineral (<20\u00a0% organic matter) topsoils (0-20\u00a0cm) sampled during 2009-2018 in LUCAS, Europe's largest soil monitoring scheme (n\u00a0=\u00a019,855). Regression tree modelling derived 12 PCZs, with typical SOC values ranging 5.99-39.65\u00a0g\u00a0kg-1. New index classes for comparison with SOC/clay grades were established from the quartiles of each PCZ's O/T SOC distribution; these were termed: 'Low' (below the 25th percentile), 'Intermediate' (between the 25th and 50th percentiles), 'High' (between the 50th and 75th percentiles), and 'Very high' (above the 75th percentile). Compared with SOC/clay, O/T SOC was less sensitive to clay content, land cover, and climate, less geographically skewed, and better reflected differences in soil porosity and SOC stock, supporting 2 EU Soil Health Mission objectives (consolidating SOC stocks; improving soil structure for crops and biota). These patterns held for 2 independent datasets, and O/T SOC grades were sensitive enough to reflect land management differences across several long-term field experiments. O/T SOC used in conjunction with several other physical, chemical and biological soil health indicators can help support the EU Soil Monitoring Law and achieve several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.", "keywords": ["soil monitoring", "pedo-climate zones", "clay", "soil carbon", "soil structure", "sustainable development goals"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/39163941"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Science%20of%20The%20Total%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "39163941", "name": "item", "description": "39163941", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/39163941"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2024-11-01T00:00:00Z"}}], "links": [{"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "This document as GeoJSON", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Sustainable+development+goals&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=Sustainable+development+goals&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=Sustainable+development+goals&", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"rel": "last", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "items (last)", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Sustainable+development+goals&offset=16", "hreflang": "en-US"}], "numberMatched": 16, "numberReturned": 16, "distributedFeatures": [], "timeStamp": "2026-04-17T08:27:08.086022Z"}