- Location: Ireland
- Institution: University College Dublin, University of Limerick
- Status: Active
- Type: Independent
- Theme: Monitoring
- Timeframe: 2024 - 2029
Share on social
Currently, over 60% of soils in the European Union (EU) are considered unhealthy. To address this, the EU has introduced the Soil Strategy for 2030 and proposed a new law, the Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience (COM/2023/416), which is still under negotiation. If adopted, this law will require all EU member states to monitor and assess soil health.
To restore soils effectively, we need reliable data. This project focuses on soil biological health, an area where we know much less compared to physical or chemical soil properties. By studying biological health, the project also looks at soil biodiversity, how ecosystems function, and the benefits soils provide to the environment. As a result, low-cost soil restoration methods could help improve both soil health and biodiversity.
Project Goals
-
Generate data on soil health, soil biodiversity, and ecosystem services across major land uses in Ireland.
-
Test how effective current soil restoration measures are.
-
Provide evidence to support policy decisions for protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring soil systems — including their biodiversity.
Institutions
