{"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [{"id": "10.23986/afsci.148486", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-27T16:23:03Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-05-26", "title": "Defining critical SOC/clay thresholds for soil health in boreal croplands using satellite-based NDVI proxies for productivity and resilience", "description": "

The European Union\u2019s soil strategy underscores the necessity for establishing feasible criteria to assess the soil health condition. In this study, we developed a method to define a critical threshold value for SOC/clay ratio on the basis of crop productivity and resilience. The study integrated data from national soil monitoring (NSM) of Finnish cropland soils (n=505) with satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) obtained from the EcoDataCube (EDC) portal. The study area was confined to the boreal environmental zone to ensure consistent pedo-climatic conditions. The results show that the interannual variation in crop productivity increases rapidly below SOC/clay ratio of 0.09 (95% confidence intervals ranging from 0.07 to 0.16), whereas the corresponding threshold for mean productivity was 0.13 (0.09\u20130.16). The observed threshold values were found applicable for both cereals and temporary ley. The SOC/clay ratio of 1:13 (=0.08), regarded as a criterion for healthy soil in the current Soil Monitoring Law proposal, based on studies by Johannes et al. (2017) and Prout et al. (2021), is lower than the mean thresholds estimated in this study but aligns close to the lower bound of the 95% confidence intervals. In this research, Finnish agricultural land served as the case study area, but the method is easily applicable to various pedo-climatic regions and potentially to different land use types.

", "keywords": ["S", "Soil Monitoring Law", " SOC/clay ratio", " cropland", " NDVI", " satellite data", " national soil monitoring", "Agriculture (General)", "Agriculture", "S1-972"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Heikkinen, Jaakko, Keskinen, Riikka, Ylivainio, Kari,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.148486"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agricultural%20and%20Food%20Science", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.23986/afsci.148486", "name": "item", "description": "10.23986/afsci.148486", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.23986/afsci.148486"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-05-26T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1111/ejss.13466", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-06-27T16:20:34Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-02-26", "title": "A 1 billion euro mission: A Soil Deal for Europe", "description": "Abstract

Soils have achieved prominence in the political agenda of the European Commission with the proposal for a Soil Monitoring Law and the ambitious Soil Mission research framework. The EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) used the latest state\uffe2\uff80\uff90of\uffe2\uff80\uff90the\uffe2\uff80\uff90art pan\uffe2\uff80\uff90European datasets to propose a preliminary assessment of soil health in the EU based on 18 soil degradation proxy indicators. The body of knowledge will soon be enriched thanks to the investment of 1\uffe2\uff80\uff89billion euros towards the Mission \uffe2\uff80\uff98A Soil Deal for Europe\uffe2\uff80\uff99, which has the ambition to promote the development of new harmonized bottom\uffe2\uff80\uff90up and top\uffe2\uff80\uff90down soil health indicators. New data and knowledge are also anticipated through the national soil monitoring schemes to support the implementation of the Soil Monitoring Law. We present the Soil Mission roadmap towards assessing and achieving soil health in the EU by 2030 to meet Green Deal objectives. We introduce the EUSO Soil Health Dashboard, a soil degradation indicator tool using soil health indicators developed by the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC) (2012\uffe2\uff80\uff932023) that will contribute to Soil Monitoring Law assessments.The European Union has a long\uffe2\uff80\uff90term objective to achieve healthy soils by 2050. The European Commission has proposed a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Soil Monitoring and Resilience (Soil Monitoring Law, SML), the first stage of which is to focus on setting up a soil monitoring framework and assessing soils throughout the EU. Situated in NW Europe, the UK has substantial experience in soil monitoring over the last half century which may usefully contribute to this wider EU effort. A set of overarching principles have and continue to guide design of national soil monitoring and may prove helpful as other European countries embark on similar monitoring programmes. Therefore, we present the principles of design from five decades of national soil monitoring. The monitoring discussed is based on a stratified\uffe2\uff80\uff90random design, has matured in support of policy questions, and operates over space and time scales relevant to the SML. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) Countryside Surveys (CS) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,\uffc2\uffa0Welsh Government, Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring and Modelling Programme (ERAMMP) and the England Ecosystem Survey (EES) monitoring programme are national programmes currently operating in the UK. Some important lessons learnt include: adopting a question\uffe2\uff80\uff90based approach; having a clear robust statistical design for the purpose; selecting indicators that address policy and underlying scientific questions; and selecting indicators that can detect change and use robust and well\uffe2\uff80\uff90tested methodologies across a wide range of soil and land use types, remaining valid over long time scales, supporting thinking long\uffe2\uff80\uff90term. Technical lessons learned include the proven cost effectiveness of a stratified\uffe2\uff80\uff90random design including replication, while adopting a common stratification layer of stable environmental attributes aids comparability between monitoring programmes. Common protocols are vital for future intercomparisons, but a full ecosystem approach that includes co\uffe2\uff80\uff90located soil and vegetation samples for interpreting a co\uffe2\uff80\uff90evolving system has proved hugely advantageous. UK monitoring programmes offer a range of experience that may prove valuable to future soil monitoring design to address the major societal challenges of our time, such as maintaining food production and addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

European soils and their status is a matter of concern that has entered the policy arena and the objective to restore soil health is part of the Soil strategy to 2030. Aim of this study is to explore the integration of the concept of soil health and the provision of soil ecosystem service by conducting i) a content analysis of EU policies and ii) a scoping review of literature over policy instruments for soil governance. Results show a focus on soil fertility, mainly soil organic matter, while services such as conservation of biodiversity or cultural heritage still appear underrepresented. Findings are reinforced by the gap in literature, providing little evidence of policy instruments contributing to soil health. A more coordinated effort among policy sectors is required to prioritize soil health in the EU; invesitgating the role of market-based instruments could complement what public policies are lacking.

", "keywords": ["soil health", "policy instruments", "Soil Monitoring Law", "incentives", "soil health", " ecosystem services", " policy instruments", "incentives", " Soil Monitoring Law", "Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling", "SH1-691", "Forestry", "SD1-669.5", "ecosystem services"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Greta Winkler, Luciano Pagano, Daniele Vergamini, Fabio Bartolini,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.36253/bae-15466"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Bio-based%20and%20Applied%20Economics", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.36253/bae-15466", "name": "item", "description": "10.36253/bae-15466", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.36253/bae-15466"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2024-09-10T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.5281/zenodo.15187631", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-06-27T16:26:15Z", "type": "Dataset", "title": "Supporting data of the paper: Plastic pollution of soils \u2013 assessing EU policies to address a poorly regulated field", "description": "In our research paper we discuss the effectiveness of selected EU policies to protect soils from plastic pollution. In this published policy profile, we provide an additional overview of all international and EU policies related to plastic pollution of soils. The results of our research show that the policy instruments assessed address some entry pathways of micro- and nanoplastics into soils, but fail to comprehensively limit plastic pollution. In fact, all policies suffer from multiple governance problems, such as lack of target stringency, and shifting and rebound effects. The impact on soil plastic pollution remains limited. We therefore recommend aligning plastics policies with climate policies in line with the Paris Agreement, and also limiting plastic production through appropriate policy instruments such as cap-and-trade schemes.", "keywords": ["Governance of Plastics", "Soil Monitoring Law", "Microplastics", "Plastic Pollution", "EU Policy", "Nanoplastics", "Soil Pollution"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Stubenrauch, Jessica, Heyl, Katharine,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15187631"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.5281/zenodo.15187631", "name": "item", "description": "10.5281/zenodo.15187631", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.5281/zenodo.15187631"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-04-10T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.5281/zenodo.15796964", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-06-27T16:26:36Z", "type": "Report", "title": "Conclusion Report on Training Needs for Monitoring and Assessment of Soil Health with Curriculum for Pilot Course", "description": "This deliverable, produced under Task 5.4 of the PREPSOIL project, summarises the identification of training needs and the development of a pilot course to support soil health monitoring in line with the Soil Monitoring Law and the EU Mission Soil. The process was based on expert consultation and co-creation with key stakeholders, including public authorities, research institutions, and European projects working on soil health. The deliverable presents the resulting modular curriculum, the implementation of four pilot training sessions held in June 2025, and an evaluation of their relevance and effectiveness. This report provides a foundation for scaling up capacity-building efforts at the EU level.", "keywords": ["Soil Monitoring Law", "Training curriculum", "EU Mission Soil", "Soil health", "Capacity building", "Indicators", "Policy implementation", "PREPSOIL"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Pita-Romero Herrero, Jos\u00e9 Luis, Pablo, G\u00f3mez Grande,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15796964"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.5281/zenodo.15796964", "name": "item", "description": "10.5281/zenodo.15796964", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.5281/zenodo.15796964"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-07-03T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10261/406452", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-06-27T16:29:00Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-10-14", "title": "Digital Soil Health Assessment: Pedogenon Mapping and Unit\u2010Specific Thresholds for Basque Country Forest Plantations", "description": "ABSTRACT

In Europe, rural landscapes and forests have been subjected to intensive anthropogenic transformations and uses since Antiquity. Since the early 20th century, many traditionally managed forests and mountain pastures were transformed into intensive forestry plantations. Hence, it is important to assess the effects of forest plantations on soil health. The European Soil Monitoring Law (SML) proposes the establishment of soil units for monitoring soil health and soil degradation processes using time\uffe2\uff80\uff90series of several indicators: SOC:clay for soil organic carbon (SOC) loss, pH for acidification and bulk density for compaction, among others. Thresholds that may be local must be defined for these different indicators. We propose an approach in which: (1) we delineate soil units applying unsupervised classification to a set of environmental covariates, proxies of the soil\uffe2\uff80\uff90forming factors (pedogenon mapping) and (2) use semi\uffe2\uff80\uff90natural native forests (i.e., secondary forests of native species with lesser human interventions compared to past decades) as references for setting unit\uffe2\uff80\uff90specific thresholds for soil indicators (reference approach) and (3) assessing and mapping the condition of forest plantations (intensively managed forests). We apply this approach to the Basque Country using soil data from the forest monitoring network Basonet. When considering the threshold suggested by the SML for SOC:clay (<\uffe2\uff80\uff891/13), 61% of plots at 0\uffe2\uff80\uff9320\uffe2\uff80\uff89cm layer and 90% at 20\uffe2\uff80\uff9340\uffe2\uff80\uff89cm layer of plantations were in poor condition (unhealthy), while 37% of plots at 0\uffe2\uff80\uff9320\uffe2\uff80\uff89cm and 79% at 20\uffe2\uff80\uff9340\uffe2\uff80\uff89cm of semi\uffe2\uff80\uff90natural forests would be considered unhealthy. When considering semi\uffe2\uff80\uff90natural forest as references the proportion of plantation plots in poor condition for SOC:clay ranged between 14%\uffe2\uff80\uff9350% depending on the percentile used to set thresholds (5th and 25th percentiles). Forest plantations had lower soil pH compared to semi\uffe2\uff80\uff90natural forests, with 15%\uffe2\uff80\uff9360% of plantation plots with pH lower than the unit\uffe2\uff80\uff90specific thresholds (poor condition). Only 3% of topsoils and 2% of subsoils under plantations were considered unhealthy with a fixed pH threshold of 4.2. All plantation plots were in good condition (healthy) in terms of bulk density with the EU criteria, but 9.6% of semi\uffe2\uff80\uff90natural plots had greater bulk density than the suggested thresholds. Our approach demonstrates the need of considering the context of soil\uffe2\uff80\uff90forming factors when identifying thresholds for soil health indicators.

European soils and their status is a matter of concern that has entered the policy arena and the objective to restore soil health is part of the Soil strategy to 2030. Aim of this study is to explore the integration of the concept of soil health and the provision of soil ecosystem service by conducting i) a content analysis of EU policies and ii) a scoping review of literature over policy instruments for soil governance. Results show a focus on soil fertility, mainly soil organic matter, while services such as conservation of biodiversity or cultural heritage still appear underrepresented. Findings are reinforced by the gap in literature, providing little evidence of policy instruments contributing to soil health. A more coordinated effort among policy sectors is required to prioritize soil health in the EU; invesitgating the role of market-based instruments could complement what public policies are lacking.

", "keywords": ["ecosystem services; incentives; policy instruments; soil health; soil monitoring law", "Q10", "soil health", "policy instruments", "Soil Monitoring Law", "ddc:330", "incentives", "Q15", "SH1-691", "Forestry", "SD1-669.5", "Q57", "soil health", " ecosystem services", " policy instruments", "incentives", " Soil Monitoring Law", "Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling", "ecosystem services"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://sfera.unife.it/bitstream/11392/2593331/1/W00119_75-92_05-15466-Winkler.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/11568/1271387"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Bio-based%20and%20Applied%20Economics", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "11568/1271387", "name": "item", "description": "11568/1271387", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/11568/1271387"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2024-09-10T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "11590/469733", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-06-27T16:29:24Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-02-26", "title": "A 1 billion euro mission: A Soil Deal for Europe", "description": "Abstract

Soils have achieved prominence in the political agenda of the European Commission with the proposal for a Soil Monitoring Law and the ambitious Soil Mission research framework. The EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) used the latest state\uffe2\uff80\uff90of\uffe2\uff80\uff90the\uffe2\uff80\uff90art pan\uffe2\uff80\uff90European datasets to propose a preliminary assessment of soil health in the EU based on 18 soil degradation proxy indicators. The body of knowledge will soon be enriched thanks to the investment of 1\uffe2\uff80\uff89billion euros towards the Mission \uffe2\uff80\uff98A Soil Deal for Europe\uffe2\uff80\uff99, which has the ambition to promote the development of new harmonized bottom\uffe2\uff80\uff90up and top\uffe2\uff80\uff90down soil health indicators. New data and knowledge are also anticipated through the national soil monitoring schemes to support the implementation of the Soil Monitoring Law. We present the Soil Mission roadmap towards assessing and achieving soil health in the EU by 2030 to meet Green Deal objectives. We introduce the EUSO Soil Health Dashboard, a soil degradation indicator tool using soil health indicators developed by the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC) (2012\uffe2\uff80\uff932023) that will contribute to Soil Monitoring Law assessments.