Preliminary assessment of the knowledge gaps to prevent soil erosion.

Abstract

SOLO project aims to deliver actionable transdisciplinary roadmaps for future soil-related research and innovation activities in the EU, contributing to the objectives of the EU Soil Mission. To achieve this overarching goal, the project employs a transdisciplinary task force known as Think Tanks (TTs). Comprising 10 Think Tanks, SOLO aligns these entities with the specific objectives established by the EU Mission Soil Deal for Europe. Within the Soil Erosion TT, this outlook focuses on the Soil Mission objective 5, “Prevent erosion”, which seeks to reduce “the area of land currently affected by unsustainable erosion from 25% to sustainable levels” (Commission 2021). Evidence presented in the Soil Mission document, indicates that 70% of the land affected by unsustainable erosion rates is found in agricultural systems, where the severity is higher compared to other systems (EC, 2024). Within agricultural areas, according to the EC (2021a), permanent crops are the most affected with notable erosion rates identified in shrubland and sparse vegetation. Based on the evidence gathered, the EC (2021a) concludes that “land failing soil health indicators due to soil erosion equals 23% in cropland and 30% in nonagricultural areas”. According to the Soil Mission, these figures call for urgent action, based on contextual knowledge of both soils and on human activity, in order to halt or reverse the erosion process.