Publications

Soil erosion (CLIM 028) - Assessment published Nov 2012: 105 million ha., or 16 % of Europe’s total land area (excluding Russia) were estimated to be affected by water erosion in the 1990s. Some 42 million ha. of land were estimated to be affected by wind erosion, of which around 1 million ha. were categorised as being severely affected. A recent new model of soil erosion by water has estimated the surface area affected in the EU‐27 at 130 million ha. Almost 20 % is subjected to soil loss in excess of 10 tonnes/ha./year. Increased variations in rainfall pattern and intensity will make soils more susceptible to water erosion, with off-site effects of soil erosion increasing. Increased aridity will make finer-textured soils more vulnerable to wind erosion, especially if accompanied by a decrease in soil organic matter levels. Reliable quantitative projections for soil erosion are not available.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Soil erosion
Soil organic carbon (CLIM 027) - Assessment published Nov 2012: Soil carbon stocks in the EU-27 are around 75 billion tonnes of carbon; around 50 % of which is located in Ireland, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom (because of the large area of peatlands in these countries). The largest emissions of CO 2 from soils are due to conversion (drainage) of organic soils, and amount to 20–40 tonnes of CO 2 per hectare per year. The most effective option to manage soil carbon in order to mitigate climate change is to preserve existing stocks in soils, and especially the large stocks in peat and other soils with a high content of organic carbon. On average, soils in Europe are most likely to be accumulating carbon. Soils under grassland and forests are a carbon sink (estimated up to 80 million tonnes of carbon per year) whereas soils under arable land are a smaller carbon source (estimated from 10–40 million tonnes of carbon per year). The effects of climate change on soil organic carbon and soil respiration are complex, and depend on distinct climatic and biotic drivers. However, they lack rigorous supporting datasets. Climate change is expected to have an impact on soil carbon in the long term, but changes in the short term will more likely be driven by land management practices and land use change
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Soil organic carbon
Estimated soil erosion by water in Europe: Calculated by the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). While the overall patterns of erosion are generally sound, the validation of erosion data can be challenging. The data presented are currently being validated through comparisons with national datasets and expert judgement. In this sense, zooming in on a specific locality can give the impression of a situation that differs from reality. In addition, the model used in this exercise does not consider localised intense precipitation.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
The relative importance of soil biodiversity threats on the basis of expert judgement: -
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Cross boarder nature: Environmental Atlas of Europe — Germany France: In Eastern France and Western Germany you find 3000km2 of a biosphere reserve called “Les Vosges du Nord - Pfälzerwald” and it is the largest uninterrupted forest area in Western Europe.
Located in The Environmental Atlas › … › Cross border nature › Video
Soil protection critical for Europe's economy and ecosystems: Soil is one of the planet's invaluable resources but continues to be degraded in Europe. Together, the mineral particles, water, air, organic matter, and living organisms that constitute soil perform key functions which underpin our society.
Located in News
Melting Arctic: Environmental Atlas of Europe — Greenland: Last year alone there were 50 more melting days on the Greenland ice sheet than on average, meaning we now see an average net loss of ice mass of 200 gigatons per year - a level that is four times higher than just back in the year 2000.
Located in The Environmental Atlas › … › Melting arctic › Video
Degree of soil sealing across Europe: The map shows soil sealing degree ranging from 0 - 100% in aggregated spatial resolution (100 x 100 m).
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Nature and biodiversity — SOER synthesis chapter 3: Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Synthesis › The European environment – state and outlook 2010: Synthesis
Analysing and managing urban growth: Over the last decades, continuous urban expansion at rates much higher than population growth has resulted in a massive urban footprint on Europe – fragmenting rural space, blocking ecosystem services and increasing the demand for transport and energy.
Located in Articles