MORE THAN 16% of EU land is affected by soil degradation, the BBC reports.

The problem is greatest in eastern countries, where a third of the land is affected, but there is a worrying trend in the whole of the EU, according to the Soil Atlas of Europe.
 
The atlas, produced by the EU’s Joint Research Centre, is the first full assessment of Europe’s soil.

Changing land management practices are widely blamed for declining soil quality across Europe.

In southern Europe, nearly 75% of soil has an organic matter content low enough to cause concern.

In England and Wales, the percentage of soils classed as low in organic matter rose from 35% to 42% between 1980 and 1995.

The major threats to soil quality identified by the atlas are erosion, the overuse of fertilisers and pesticides, the loss of organic content, pollution from industry, the loss of biodiversity, salinity, the compacting of soil by agricultural vehicles, landslides and flooding.

“We definitely undervalue the contribution of soil to our biodiversity, but unless we protect it better we will soon realise its importance in the worst possible way – by seeing the problems caused by its loss,” said Janez Potocnik, the EU commissioner for science and research.

The study will form the basis of an EU soil framework directive which is intended to shield Europe’s soil from further damage.