Systems knowledge for sustainable soil and land management

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Science
• Soil Science

Background:

• Soils and land are critical for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but face global degradation.
• Increasing societal demands on soil functions (climate mitigation, biodiversity, biomass) exacerbate degradation.
• A transition to sustainable soil and land management is urgently needed to address these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a systemic research framework for sustainable soil and land management.
• To support the implementation of the Horizon Europe Mission "A Soil Deal for Europe".
• To identify research priorities and knowledge gaps for effective land management.

Main Methods:

• Literature analysis of existing research on soil and land management.
• Engagement with soil and land scientists to gather expert input.
• Development of a framework linking societal challenges to knowledge types.

Main Results:

• A systemic research framework was developed, categorizing soil and land topics into six societal challenges and eight knowledge types.
• The framework emphasizes integrated research for developing and implementing sustainable soil and land management practices.
• Alignment of research with living labs and lighthouses is proposed for local innovation and education.

Conclusions:

• Socio-economic interrelations with soil health and policy represent the biggest bottleneck in transitioning to sustainable soil and land management.
• A systems approach is required, integrating experimentation, data analysis, assessment, and modeling.
• Research must support institutions, governance, and policy for effective implementation.