Galicia, in northwestern Spain, offers a rich backdrop for studying soil health. Characterized by a mild, rainy Atlantic climate, the region features a mix of forests, farmland, vineyards, and wetlands shaped by varying levels of human activity. 

To understand how these ecosystems cope with ongoing environmental pressures, BIOservicES partner the University of Vigo, is leading research across local sites. By returning to soils first sampled in 2024, researchers are investigating how simulated climate change conditions affect soil properties and the life beneath our feet.

Where did the second soil sampling campaign take place?

The second soil sampling campaign was in Puga, Ourense, in May 2026.

These areas were farmland until the late 1970s and, following abandonment, developed into different types of forest formations. One is currently dominated by the invasive species Acacia dealbata, another is a Pinus pinaster regeneration, and the third represents a typical Atlantic forest dominated by Quercus robur.

How was the second sampling campaign carried out?

Researchers sampled the same sites as during the first campaign, now including inside and outside climate change chambers to track soil responses.

The methodology was also adapted for the second campaign to avoid unnecessary disturbance to soil organisms. This is particularly important because the experiment is designed to investigate changes over time, so the sampling process should interfere as little as possible with the soil communities being studied.

The number of samples collected was the same as during the first campaign (150).

Why return to the same soils for a second campaign?

Returning to the same experimental sites allows BIOservicES researchers to understand how soil conditions evolve, emphasizing the value of ongoing efforts for the scientific community and stakeholders.

This is particularly relevant for the Atlantic sites because the climate change experiment has been running for two years, providing enough time to expose the soils to simulated climate change conditions and investigate their potential effects on soil properties and biodiversity.

Climate change may affect soils in different ways. Changes in temperature and soil moisture, along with more intense rainfall and potential flooding or drought, can influence soil properties as well as the distribution and activity of soil organisms.

By comparing the two sampling campaigns, researchers aim to understand how climate pressures influence soil systems over time and provide valuable long-term data.

Have researchers already observed differences?

It is still too early to conclude the second campaign.

During fieldwork, researchers observed what appeared to be higher soil moisture inside the climate change chambers. 

Results from the first sampling campaign are available, and ongoing assessment of the second campaign reflects our commitment to continuous learning and scientific progress.

What happens to the soil samples after collection?

The soil samples collected in Galicia have now been distributed to BIOservicES laboratories across Spain, Germany, Italy and Belgium.

Partners involved in their analysis include CSIC, UPCT, TUM, WU, CREA and ILVO, and all samples have successfully reached the respective laboratories. The analyses are expected to be completed by May 2027.

As in the first campaign, analyzing different components of the soil will help researchers build a more complete picture of its condition and biodiversity and, importantly, compare these findings with the first sampling period.

What does the team hope to learn from the second campaign?

The main objective is to understand better the potential effects of climate change on soil properties and biodiversity.

Human activities already place different chemical, physical, and biological pressures on soils. Climate change can add another layer of pressure through rising temperatures, changing soil moisture, drought, and intense rainfall.

Soil organisms can be particularly sensitive to these changes because their activity often depends on specific temperature and moisture conditions. Long-term experiments such as the one carried out in Galicia can therefore provide valuable evidence about how soil communities may respond when environmental conditions change over time.

The comparison between the two campaigns will be especially important here. Rather than relying on a single snapshot, BIOservicES will be able to investigate soil conditions after two years of simulated climate change conditions.

Who prepared the ground for the second Atlantic sampling campaign?

Our project partner, the University of Vigo, led the second soil sampling campaign in the Atlantic region.

Photo credits: Andrés Rodríguez Seijo.

This article is part of our Sampling Europe’s Soils series, following the second BIOservicES campaign across the continent. Read our field stories from the Alpine Region and Mediterranean Region, and stay connected as our journey continues.