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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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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Annual change in soil sealing between 2009-2012, relative to sealed area in 2009

Data Visualization 04 Dec 2017

Annual average change in soil sealing, 2009-2012, relative to country area

Data Visualization 04 Dec 2017

Imperviousness and imperviousness change

Indicator Assessment 04 Dec 2017

Between 2009 and 2012, soil sealing (or imperviousness) increased in most EEA-39 countries by a total of 2 051 km 2 . This corresponds to 0.0356 % of the total EEA-39 area or an annual average increase of 683 km 2 . Overall, this rate of increase is lower than that documented in the 2006-2009 products, although this can be put down to a general overestimation of sealing increase in the 2006 and 2009 datasets. In 2012, the percentage of a countries' total area that was sealed also varied greatly, with values ranging from 0.14 % to 16.27 %. 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.

Imperviousness density in 2012

Figure 04 Dec 2017

The map shows the density of soil sealing in 2012, based on a 10 km2 reference grid. Green and light orange colors show areas with no or very limited sealing, while red and dark red colors show highly to fully sealed grid cells (mainly urban areas).

Average annual change in soil sealing, 2009-2012

Figure 04 Dec 2017

The map shows the percentage of the average annual change in soil sealing for each of the rectangular 10 km x 10 km grid cells, over the 2009-2012 period

Copernicus Land Monitoring Service - High Resolution Layers - Imperviousness

Data 22 Nov 2017

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) available for the reference years 2006, 2009 and 2012 (latest). Change layers are available for 2006-2009 and 2009-2012.

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.

Soil and climate change

Infographic 15 Oct 2015

Soil is an important and often neglected element of the climate system. It is the second largest carbon store, or "sink", after the oceans. Restoring key ecosystems on land, and a sustainable use of the land in urban and rural areas, can help us mitigate and adapt to climate change.

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).