Soils are crucial for feeding us, filtering water, and supporting Earth’s food chain, yet in Europe, they are neglected and degrading unnoticed.
Andrés Rodríguez Seijo, from the University of Vigo in Spain, is addressing this issue. He observed soil’s lack of attention while researching microplastics, noting that land pollution occurs before reaching the sea.
Soils in Trouble
European soils are unhealthy, with excess nitrogen due to fertilisers, erosion, and pollution. Over 60% are unhealthy, and climate change is worsening the situation.
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Everyone talked about microplastics at sea, but ignored the fact that, before they get there, they’re on land, polluting our soils.
This degradation costs Europe €50 billion annually. Seijo’s project, InBestSoil, funded by the EU, builds a business case for soil health investment, proving its financial viability for farmers and investors.
InBestSoil is part of the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe, aiming to restore soils by 2030, alongside other missions addressing various global challenges.
Lessons from the Field
The InBestSoil team is conducting trials across Europe. In Sardinia, Italy, they compare farming methods for profitability and soil health.
Valentina Mereu and Gianluca Carboni are leading a Living Lab on Mediterranean agricultural soils, conducting trials with local farmers.
They experimented with durum wheat, using conventional tillage, reduced tillage, and sod seeding methods. The latter two increased soil health without sacrificing yield.
“The results are promising,” Carboni stated, highlighting reduced tillage’s benefits for time, cost, and soil quality.
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We think that, when proposing a business model, it’s important to consider not only market benefits, but also non-market ones.
Early simulations show these methods’ potential in future climate conditions, Mereu noted. The team is encouraging adoption among farmers and stakeholders.
InBestSoil operates in nine sites, including Spain, Lithuania, and Croatia, focusing on different land uses and urban areas to improve soil resilience and flood prevention.
Making the Business Case
After trials, the team will create frameworks to help stakeholders evaluate soil restoration returns, turning healthy soils into investable assets.
In collaboration with SoilValues and NOVASOIL, they aim to link science, business, and investment for soil health.
They are developing a calculator for valuing healthy soils beyond market benefits.
“Considering non-market benefits is crucial for business models,” explained Jorge Sánchez Navarro, leading this initiative.
The tools are designed for various users, facilitating a common understanding of soil value.
Policy is also a focus. The new EU Soil Monitoring Law mandates soil health assessment, and InBestSoil’s evidence could guide its application.
“Ecosystems like Dehesas are complex, requiring policy understanding,” Seijo said.
InBestSoil runs until December 2026, aiming to equip stakeholders with tools and economic reasons to restore soils.
The project received funding from the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe.
The views expressed may not reflect those of the European Commission.
Restoring soil health, eh? Sounds like a right jam – let’s throw in more regulations and make farmers feel like they’re on a never-ending rollercoaster of red tape. Who wouldn’t want to tackle a €50 billion problem with a sprinkle of government funding and a dash of Mediterranean charm? 😂🌍 So, we’re gonna spend €50 billion to fix soils because who needs healthy land when you’ve got a perfectly good ocean to dump microplastics in, eh? 😏🌍 So, we’re finally putting some cash into the soil, eh? Next thing you know, they’ll be giving awards for the best dirt in Europe! 😂💰 So, let’s throw a party for our soils, shall we? Nothing says “environmental progress” like realizing we’ve been neglecting our dirt while contemplating the latest microplastic scandal—cheers to that! 🍷💩 So, we’re finally realizing that soil health is important, eh? Next, we’ll discover that water’s also wet and air’s not just for decoration! 😂 So, let’s throw a parade for our soil, shall we? Who knew that nurturing dirt could be such a chic investment? 😏💰 Soils are crucial for feeding us, filtering water, and supporting Earth’s food chain, yet in Europe, they are neglected and degrading unnoticed. Greened street furniture: JCDecaux confirms the benefits of this experiment With fewer oil and gas supplies becoming compliant, reduced availability poses a significant risk of affecting energy affordability for households and businesses. These rules aren’t focused on reducing methane levels, as the legislation doesn’t require this until 2030. Instead, they pertain to measurement, reporting, certification, and verification standards, which neither the Eur Europe’s musical focus remains on Vienna this week. Bulgaria’s first Eurovision triumph has made DARA’s “Bangaranga” the continent’s standout pop moment, as post-contest streaming, fan discussions, and national chart reactions reveal Eurovision’s lasting impact on Europe’s cultural rhythm long after the votes are cast.
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Restoring Soil Health: A Win-Win for Farmers and the Environment
Andrés Rodríguez Seijo, from the University of Vigo in Spain, is addressing this issue. He observed soil’s lack of attention while researching microplastics, noting that land pollution occurs before reaching the sea.
Soils in Trouble
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