AGROALNEXT SOS-SOIL Project: Evaluation of soil quality in different agroecosystems and determination of indicators for sustainable management

Soil performs countless functions (biomass production, environmental interaction, carbon sequestration, physical support, biological habitat, genetic reserve, etc.) essential for life on the planet. Therefore, understanding the soils of a territory, their properties, and their sensitivity to management practices is a key factor for the proper management of natural resources. However, approximately 70% of the soils in the European Union are undergoing degradation, primarily as a result of unsustainable management practices and the consequences of climate change. EU policies aim to incorporate tools to promote sustainable soil management, mainly in agricultural ecosystems, but it is proper management at the individual soil level that will determine whether the soil can fulfill all its functions in the future.