Soil

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Soil underpins 90% of all human food, fiber, and fuel and is essential for water and ecosystem health. It is a global carbon sink; holding an important role in the potential slowing of climate change. Soil conserves the remains of our past, it is a reservoir for genes and is an important element of our cultural heritage, through the maintenance of landscapes and biodiversity. Nevertheless, soil is being exploited and irreversibly lost and degraded as a result of conflicting demands from most economic sectors. More

Key facts and messages: 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... more; A coherent soil policy at EU level would provide the framework to coordinate efforts to survey soil status adequately. more

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Land recycling helps Europe to maintain its land resource

News 08 Dec 2016

Land degradation and taking land for urban development threaten critical ecosystem services, including provision of food and water, climate regulation and recreation. A new report, by the European Environment Agency (EEA), shows how land recycling, such as reusing neglected sites and turning roads or parking lots to green spaces or residential areas, can have positive impacts on the environment and support Europe’s transition towards a circular and green economy.

Land recycling helps Europe to maintain its land resource Land degradation and taking land for urban development threaten critical ecosystem services, including provision of food and water, climate regulation and recreation. A new report, by the European Environment Agency (EEA), shows how land recycling, such as reusing neglected sites and turning roads or parking lots to green spaces or residential areas, can have positive impacts on the environment and support Europe’s transition towards a circular and green economy.

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Soil resource efficiency in urbanised areas - analytical framework and implications for governance

Publication 28 Apr 2016

In this report, we have explored the notion of soil as an integral part of ecosystems and natural capital, and thus focused on the stock of the soil resource and the flows of valuable goods and services that can be derived from this stock. The concept of natural capital recognises soil as an asset that is of use and benefit to society (also called a 'productive' asset). Putting soil within the framework of the land system allows a connection to be made with governance, including soil resource efficiency.

Soil

Briefing 18 Feb 2015

CLC2006 technical guidelines

Publication 18 Dec 2007

This technical report provides guidelines for the update of Corine land cover data for the reference year 2006.

EEA Report 2/2006 - Integration of environment into EU agriculture policy - the IRENA indicator-based assessment report

Publication 21 Mar 2006

This report aims to provide a fair reflection of the progress, the achievements and obstacles in the integration of environmental concerns into EU agriculture policy, based on indicators developed in the IRENA operation (see Section 1.3). It also tackles limitations to successful policy implementation at Member State level, and challenges ahead.

Soil resource efficiency in urbanised areas - analytical framework and implications for governance In this report, we have explored the notion of soil as an integral part of ecosystems and natural capital, and thus focused on the stock of the soil resource and the flows of valuable goods and services that can be derived from this stock. The concept of natural capital recognises soil as an asset that is of use and benefit to society (also called a 'productive' asset). Putting soil within the framework of the land system allows a connection to be made with governance, including soil resource efficiency.

Soil

CLC2006 technical guidelines This technical report provides guidelines for the update of Corine land cover data for the reference year 2006.

EEA Report 2/2006 - Integration of environment into EU agriculture policy - the IRENA indicator-based assessment report This report aims to provide a fair reflection of the progress, the achievements and obstacles in the integration of environmental concerns into EU agriculture policy, based on indicators developed in the IRENA operation (see Section 1.3). It also tackles limitations to successful policy implementation at Member State level, and challenges ahead.

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Soil moisture

Indicator Assessment 23 Dec 2016

Harmonised in situ data on soil moisture are not available across the EU. Modelled soil moisture content has significantly decreased in the Mediterranean region and increased in parts of northern Europe since the 1950s, as a result of past warming and precipitation changes. Significant decreases in summer soil moisture content in the Mediterranean region and increases in north-eastern Europe are projected for the coming decades.

Trends in summer soil moisture in Europe

Figure 23 Dec 2016

Soil moisture content was modelled using a soil moisture balance model in the upper soil horizons (up to 1 m).

Imperviousness and imperviousness change

Indicator Assessment 05 Apr 2016

Between 2006 and 2009, soil sealing, or imperviousness, increased in all EEA-39 countries by a total of 4 364 k m 2 . This corresponds to an annual average increase of 1 454 k m 2 , or 0.027 % of the total EEA-39 area. During this period, the rate of increase in soil sealing relative to country area varied from 0.001 % to 0.48 %. In 2009, the percentage of a countries' total area that was sealed also varied greatly, with values ranging from 0.15 % to 15.23 %. The highest sealing values, as a percentage of country area, occurred in small countries with high population densities, while the lowest sealing values could be found in large countries with low population densities. The most problematic situation occurs in countries where there is already a high percentage of sealing and where the annual rate of increase relative to country area is high.

Average annual increase in soil sealing (imperviousness indicator)

Figure 05 Apr 2016

The map shows the yearly average imperviousness density change, relative to 10 km grid cells. The unit is the average percentage of newly sealed 10 km cells between 2006 and 2009.

Progress per management step

Figure 02 May 2014

Progress in the management of contaminated sites between 2006 and 2011, expressed per management step and against established targets where relevant

The nitrogen cycle

Figure 17 Dec 2010

Global scheme of nitrogen cycle, showing major nitrogen reservoirs (atmosphere, soil and living organisms), major processes (nitrification, denitrification, nitrogen fixation, assimilation etc.) and actors (plants, animals, bacteria, human beings).

EEA Fast Track Service Precursor on Land Monitoring - Degree of soil sealing

Data 26 Jan 2010

Raster data set of built-up and non built-up areas including continuous degree of soil sealing ranging from 0 - 100% in aggregated spatial resolution (100 x 100 m and 20 x 20m).