Grisons Graubünden, Switzerland
FiBL
Alpine
Agriculture, Industry, Semi-Natural, Wetland
ALPINE Region
Main soil health pressures
In the world of agriculture, various ecosystems face distinctive challenges. Grasslands encounter threats such as biodiversity loss, compaction, and nutrient imbalances, while semi-natural environments like forest pastures contend with similar issues, including biodiversity loss and compaction. Tourism-related industries contribute to challenges such as biodiversity loss, contamination, and erosion.
Galicia, Spain
University of Vigo
Atlantic
Agriculture, Mining, Semi-Natural, Urban, Wetland
ATLANTIC Region
Main soil health pressures
Urban development causes biodiversity loss and soil pollution. Agricultural land use, marked by intensive farming practices, is associated with both biodiversity loss and compaction of the soil. On the other hand, mining activities pose a threat with biodiversity loss, organic matter depletion, and soil contamination as extraction processes alter the landscape. Semi-natural land use areas also witness the adverse effects of human activities, leading to biodiversity loss. Even wetlands, crucial ecosystems for various species, face biodiversity loss due to urbanisation and altered water flow patterns.
Latvia
Latvian State Forestry Research Institute ‘SILAVA’
Boreal
Agricultural, Mining, Semi-natural, Wetland, Forests
BOREAL Region
Main soil health pressures
Agricultural land use, characterised by intensive cultivation, often leads to nutrient imbalances. Mining activities, while primarily associated with biodiversity loss and erosion, also contribute to nutrient imbalances in the soil. Semi-natural land use areas face challenges such as organic matter loss and compaction, impacting nutrient cycling and availability. Wetlands, vital ecosystems, experience nutrient imbalances, and acidification, primarily stemming from human activities. Forests are not immune to nutrient-related issues, including imbalance, acidification, and eutrophication.
Rhineland, Germany
Thünen-Institute of Biodiversity
Continental
Urban, Mining, Agricultural, Forest, Semi-natural
CONTINENTAL Region
Main soil health pressures
Urban land use poses challenges such as biodiversity loss and pollution, as expanding cities encroach upon natural habitats. Mining activities further contribute to soil degradation, with concerns ranging from biodiversity loss and organic matter depletion to soil contamination. In agricultural landscapes, the intensive cultivation of crops brings about biodiversity loss, compaction, and erosion, impacting the soil’s overall health. Forested areas face threats like biodiversity loss, compaction, and organic matter depletion.
Aragon, Spain
CISC
Mediterranean
Urban, Industrial, Agricultural, Mining, Dryland
MEDITERRANEAN Region
Main soil health pressures
In urban areas, the expansion of infrastructure leads to biodiversity loss. Industrial activities cause both biodiversity loss and erosion. Agricultural land use often results in organic matter loss and erosion, impacting soil fertility and structure. Similarly, mining activities contribute to organic matter loss and erosion. In dryland areas, the balance is disrupted by organic matter loss and erosion, posing challenges to soil health and resilience.