SOILGUARD
The SOILGUARD project envisions a future where soil biodiversity conservation secures the environmental, economic, and social well-being of European biogeographical regions. The escalating threat of land degradation and soil biodiversity loss due to unsustainable practices and climate change underscores the need for immediate action. Central to this is adopting sustainable soil management practices and recognising soil biodiversity as a crucial nature-based solution against land degradation and climate stressors. However, addressing these challenges hinges on bridging significant knowledge gaps related to soil biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people.
SOILGUARD embarks on a mission to co-create a novel conceptual and analytical framework with the potential to become the global standard for assessing soil biodiversity status and its contributions to multifunctional soil behaviour and human well-being. This innovative framework will undergo validation through a pioneering experimental design, encompassing various study sites across biomes and land degradation gradients, coupled with in-situ climate change simulations. This comprehensive approach generates robust evidence to fill knowledge gaps and quantify the implications of unsustainable soil management on the environment, economy, and society.
The insights generated will be disseminated through the SOILGUARDIANS platform—an advanced predictive tool rooted in the intricate links between soil biodiversity, multifunctional soil performance, and overall well-being. This tool empowers stakeholders in their transition to sustainable soil management practices. The synergy of the SOILGUARD Network of Knowledge and the interactive potential of the SOILGUARDIANS app creates an innovation ecosystem, facilitating experience sharing and continuous learning.
SOILGUARD’s endeavours aim to collaboratively formulate evidence-based conservation recommendations, influencing European and international policy frameworks. Moreover, the project aligns with Member States’ commitments under the Global Soil Partnership, amplifying its global impact. With support from influential entities, strives to elevate soil biodiversity protection, spearheading sustainable practices and fostering a more resilient planet.
Soilguard’s integrated valuation approach to account for the diversity of values soil biodiversity provides for our well-being
Soilguard’s network of knowledge
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The Impact of climate change stressors on soil biodiversity status
The study reveals insights into perceived NCP importance, attitudes towards sustainable soil management, and preferences for legal and economic instruments promoting soil health. By combining multiple perspectives, SOILGUARD aims to enhance understanding of sustainable soil management’s impact on biodiversity, NCPs, and human well-being.
Valuation of soil-mediated contributions to people
(SmCPs) – a systematic review of values and methods
SOILGUARD researchers published a significant paper in 2024 focused on the contributions of soil to human well-being. This work emphasized the importance of soil biodiversity in providing ecosystem services critical to food security, climate regulation, and overall environmental health. The study was instrumental in advocating for sustainable soil management and global policy innovation.
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 Research & Innovation programme under the Grant Agreement no. 101000371.
At the 11th IPBES Plenary, SOILGUARD was notably recognized as one of the most relevant Horizon 2020 projects on the biodiversity nexus (along with 13 others). These achievements of 2024 have laid a strong foundation for the projects’ lasting legacy in sustainable soil management. SOILGUARD is committed to providing actionable solutions for stakeholders and policy makers that promote soil biodiversity, mitigate climate impacts, and enhance ecosystem services.
