soco project overview on soil degradation, practices and ... · overview on soil degradation,...

“Sustainable regional soil policy from a European perspective” 17-18/09/2009

SoCo project Overview on soil degradation, practices and

policies

by E. Rusco, L. Montanarella, B. MarechalJRC –

IES

Land management and Natural Hazards Unit Soil Action

SoCo Policy Seminar, Brussels, 28 May 2009 2

Context and focus

Initiative of EP

Built on existing knowledge and experience

Overall context

Increasing concerns about soil conservation problems

Climate change

Need to assess economic and social consequences

Need for effective conservation tecniques

Revision and development of political framework


Objectives

Improving the understanding of the interaction between agricultural practices and soil conservation

Assessing the relevant regulatory and incentive-based policy framework

Identifying needs and possible gaps in the policy framework

Make information available to stakeholders and policy makers


Implementation

–

Budget: EUR 2 million

–

Tight timeframe (core work: 2007/08)

–

Administrative Arrangement with the JRC (IPTS, IES)

–

JRC established subcontracts for studies

–

Steering Group and Advisory Board


Work Packages

(a) classification of the nature and amplitude of the soil protection problem

IES, SOIL Report ID1.1(a) Task2.1 IPTS Methodology and guidelines for CS

(b) the relevant practices their economics and effectiveness

Task2.2 IPTS Methodology and guidelines for CS(c-d) environmental

effectiveness (a) French Case study

IES, AGRI-ENV

Report on CS (a)

Task1.2 IPTS Direct input to D1

(b) Case study Marche, Italy

IES,SOIL Report on CS (b)

Task1.3 IPTS Direct input to D1

(c) Eight case studies

IPTS A set of reports on CS (c)

Task1.4 IPTS Minutes D2 Task 2.5: IPTSFrench national IES/AGRI-

ENV

D3 - Intermediate reportItalian IES/SOIL

3 regional linked to CSs 2.3. (c)

IPTS

Task 3.1 IPTS Direct input in D6

(a) Scenarios - conventional and conservation practices

(b) Classification of regions according to the env. benefit

Task4.1 IES/AGRI-ENV

Material for technical training ID4.1

D7

(a) the consistency of the finding

Task4.2 IPTS D8 - translati

(b) Policy-relevant conclusions

Task4.3 IPTS D9 - web

Task4.4 IPTS D -10 Policy seminar

D5

- Reg

iona

l w

orks

hops

WP4

Scheme of work flow within the SoCo project

Cas

e st

udie

s

A common agri-environmental framework for the CS

D4

-Sum

mar

y re

port

on c

ase

stud

ies

A common framework for policy analysis.

Task2.3 Case studies

Summary of case studiesTask2.4 Regional

workshops (WS2):

inculded in respectve deliverables of Task2.3

Policy seminar:

Direct input in D6

Report ID3.2IES

Summarising the results

Model calculations (EPIC) model – environmental benefits of adopting soil conservation

IES, AGRI-ENV

Dis

sem

inat

ion

Stakeholder workshop (WS1)

Report ID1.1(b,c-d)

Materials for technical training

Agricultural soil degradation problem and the corresponding soil conservation practices.

Con

clus

ions

/reco

mm

enda

tions

Drawing up of EU-wide conclusions concerning soil conservation practices and policy

IPTS

WP3

Task1.1

Task3.2

Task3.3

Sto

ck-ta

king

, the

ass

essm

ent o

f the

cur

rent

si

tuat

ion

WP1

WP2

Match between the problem, the conservation practices and policy measures (mapping)

A review of the regulatory environment and policy instruments

Uploading of all project outputs to the JRC project website.

Translation of the materials for technical training and the

ti f th fi l

D1

- WP

1 re

port

D6 - Final report

WP1 EU wide stock taking WP2

Case studies (10)

WP3Synthesis WP4

Dissemination


The impact of human activities on soil

Blocking of soil functions important to the ecology of the landscape

Destruction of soil

Gradual destruction of soils

Reduction in soil fertility

Soil erosion

Manures and fertilisers

Sewage sludge

Gravel extraction

CompactionGradual disappearance of farms

Pesticides & herbicides

Destruction of soil

Changes in the structure of soils

Reduction in soil fertility

SealingDecline of Soil OM

Accumulation/Contamination

Heavy metals

Contamination of soils and ground water with applied agrochemicals and atmospheric pollutants

Changes in soil composition

Adverse impacts on living organisms in the soil

Acidification

Release of toxic substances

AcidsDiffuse input of contaminants as

particulates

Persistent substances

Salinisation

The impact of human activities on soil


Soil Erosion in Europe


Soil Erosion in Europe Soil loss tolerance factor

The T factor is the maximum rate of soil erosion that can occurs and still permit crop productivity to be sustained economically. Factors considered in defining the T factor include soil depth, physical properties and other characteristics affecting roots development, gully prevention, on field sediment problems, seeding losses, organic matter decline and loss of plant nutrients.

Agricultural Land with T factor > 2 ton/Ha/yr

24,972,366

170,049,166

< 2 t ha-1 yr-1> 2 t ha-1 yr-113 % of the total UAA

87 % of the total UAA

Agricultural land with T factor 5 t ha-1 yr-1

16,274,386

178,747,146

≤ 5 t ha-1 yr-1≥ 5 t ha-1 yr-1

9% of the total UAA

91% of the total UAA

Agricultural land with T factor 10 t ha-1 yr-1

186,330,697

8,690,835≤ 10 t ha-1 yr-1> 10 t ha-1 yr-1

5% of the total UUA

95% of the total UUA


Soil Organic Matter


Soil Compaction in Europe

Damage due to increasing soil deformation

After rain storm

Rapid water table increase in rivers and lakes

Reduced groundwater recharge

erosion

N2O gas

emission

N - loss due to stagnic water

Effects on the environment

Surface water runoff increase

Heavy machinery compacts arable, forest, and pasture soils

Consequences for plant production

Reduced growth, higher

uncertainty less yield

Increased fungi deseases,

more weeds

Reduced root growth (less dense and deep)

Soil biota suffersSoil quality declines

due to - reduced pore volume, - reduced aeration

-Water infiltration reduced,

- soils remain longer wet and cold, - more slaking problems, - reduced water storage

Effects on soil management

- higher draft energy required, - higher fuel consumption, - wet and cold soils result in

smaller number of working days,

- more fertilizers needed

Dust emission increased

Source: R. Horn, personal communication


36% of European Soils have high or very high susceptibility to compaction

Soil Compaction in Europe


Salinisation/sodification

Classes of salinity •

low: ECse

< 4 dS/m

(deciSiemens

per metre) •

medium: 4 < ECse

< 15 dS/m•

high: ECse

> 15 dS/m

Classes of alkalinity•

low: ESP < 6 % •

medium:6 < ESP < 15 % •

high: ESP > 15 %

with ESP: exchangeable sodium percentage.


SoCo – Review of farming system / practices


SoCo – Review of farming system


SoCo – CA practices


SoCo – Review of farming system


SoCo – Organic farming - Practices


Relevant EU agricultural policy (CAP)

Mandatory:Cross compliance (Regulation (EC) 73/2009)*

–

Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs)–

Requirement to keep land in Good Agricultural and

Environmental Condition (GAEC), targeting:•

Soil erosion

•

Soil organic matter decline•

Soil structure damage

•

Deterioration of habitats•

Water management

Voluntary incentive-based:Rural Development Regulation (EC) 1698/2005

* Replacing Regulation (EC) 1782/2003 during the Health Check of the CAP


Effect of soil-friendly practices

SoCo Policy Seminar, Brussels, 28 May 2009 21From EU to farm level

Survey EU-27 on national/regional policy implementation:•

53 institutions•

24 Member States responded•

more than 400 data entriesFive regional and one EU workshops

10 case studies; 3 macro-regions:•

Northern and western Europe•

Mediterranean•

Central and eastern Europe


Case study findings

•

Farmers are aware of challenges but do not regard them as pressing

•

Complex causal chain between factors shape the adoption of different farming practices and systems

•

Adoption impeded by technical factors, shortage of information, economic factors or not appropriately targeted policy measures

•

Mix of policy measures is seen as the way forward

•

More coordination, targeting, technical support and stronger monitoring considered as priorities

•

Robust evaluation of policy impacts on soil conservation appears scarce


Conclusion 1

•Soil Degradation processes are strictly linked with the different types of soils, environmental conditions and management systems

•It is difficult, if not impossible, to identify soil conservation practices without linking practices and soil types

•Is absolutely crucial apply management system that take into account the soil degradation processes as a whole

•A soil monitoring system that evaluates the magnitude of the soil degradation processes needs to be established as a first priority.


Conclusion 2

•SoCo

identified and focused on some of the available existing technical solutions justpresented for in depth-analysis, but many other techniques are available

•Some solutions are more targeted to specific soil, terrain, water issues or crops.Each presents benefits and drawbacks

•The effects of such solutions on other environmental parameters (beyond soil) arecomplex

•Depending on the scope, uptake may be limited to certain countries or localized conditions

•Conservation agriculture is a promising sustainable farming system, although it requires initial investments, specialized knowledge and fine tuning to avoid excessive use of chemicals and yield reductions, and a conversion period before stability is reached ……


Conclusion 3

•

Existing suite of policy measures, including mechanisms for advice and support, generally adequate

•

Effectiveness of implementation and relative weight given to different types of instruments

•

Cross compliance clearly contributed to establishing a common reference level for sustainable soil management across the EU

•

Rural development measures: an important instrument for assisting farmers’ transition to higher levels of soil quality

•

Information and advice are essential to support any changes in farming practices


Thank you for your attention!

Farming looks mighty easy when your plough is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field”

Dwight David Eisenhower

soco project overview on soil degradation, practices and ... · overview on soil degradation,...

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