Centre de ressources

A European stakeholder survey on soil science skills for sustainable agriculture

• 31/03/2024
• Ressource technique et scientifique
• Texte brut ou illustré

Abstract

The European Union’s soil strategy for 2030 has set the objective of achieving ‘healthy soils’ in Europe by 2050. To achieve this ambitious goal, dedicated soil science skills will be needed in the future. This article presents the results of a survey on soil science skills for the future conducted within the framework of the European Joint Program—EJP SOIL. The survey was distributed online in the 24 countries participating in the EJP SOIL. The skills were expressed as having knowledge in particular topics related to soils, practical know-hows...

Participatory soil citizen science: An unexploited resource for European soil research

• 14/03/2024
• Ressource technique et scientifique
• Texte brut ou illustré

Abstract

Soils are key components of our ecosystems and provide 95%–99% of our food. This importance is reflected by an increase in participatory citizen science projects on soils. Citizen science is a participatory research method that actively involves and engages the public in scientific enquiry to generate new knowledge or understanding. Here, we review past and current citizen science projects on agricultural soils across Europe. We conducted a web-based survey and described 24 reviewed European citizen science projects in the light of the 10 principles of...

A review of existing tools for citizen science research on soil health

• 02/12/2024
• Rapports, Synthèses, Certificats
• Texte brut ou illustré

Soil-related citizen science projects have gained significant interest driven by the prominence of soil within public policy agendas. Amongst others, this includes the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, which contributes to the objectives of the EU Green Deal and proposes specific actions to increase citizen engagement on soils. Increasing citizen engagement is also one of the building blocks in the EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe.
In this work, we reviewed over 60 citizen science projects, across the globe, that considered soil health. We collected citizen science projects based on...

Changing gardeners’ point of view on soils with a citizen science project in Southern‑East France

• 18/04/2025
• Rapports, Synthèses, Certificats
• Texte brut ou illustré

Soil and the threats it faces nowadays are often underestimated by citizens. This is rather due to a lack of awareness than to a lack of interest. In France, the surface covered by private gardens is not negligible, as it represents 2% of the territory, which is four times larger than the area of natural reserves in the country. Therefore, ensuring the protection and preserva-tion of healthy soils in these areas is of great importance. Citizen science is a good way to raise awareness about scientific issues. Using a scientific and educational approach, the citizen science project “La...

Soil and culture

• 01/01/2009
• Ressource pédagogique
• Texte brut ou illustré

Soil and Culture explores the perception of soil in ancient, traditional, and modern societies. It looks at the visual arts (painting, textiles, sculpture, architecture, film, comics and stamps), prose & poetry, religion, philosophy, anthropology, archaeology, wine production, health & diet, and disease & warfare.