Threats to Soil Quality in Europe

Abstract

During the recent years, there has been a surge of concern and attention in Europe to soil degradation processes. One of the most innovative aspects of the newly proposed Soil Thematic Strategy for the EU is the recognition of the multifunctionality of soils. \nThis report is summarizing the reserch results on the fields of soil degradation and soil quality reserach.\nChapters of the report include:\nPreface\t\nCharacterisation of soil degradation risk: an overview\nSoil quality in the European Union\n\nMain threats to soil quality in Europe\nThe Natural Susceptibility on European Soils to Compaction\nSoil Erosion: a main threats to the soils in Europe\nSoil Erosion risk assessment in the alpine area according to the IPCC scenarios\nAn example of the threat of wind erosion using DSM techniques\nUpdated map of salt affected soils in the European Union\nA framework to estimate the distribution of heavy metals in European Soils\nApplication of Soil Organic Carbon Status Indicators for policy-decision making in the EU\nMain threats on soil biodiversity: The case of agricultural activities impacts on soil microarthropods\nImplications of soil threats on agricultural areas in Europe\nMEUSIS, a Multi-Scale European Soil Information System (MEUSIS): novel ways to derive soil indicators through Upscaling