T1 / IRT-1

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Soil Monitoring for Europe

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • Europe
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom

Austria


Belgium


OVAM
Bert Van Goidsenhovenbert.van.goidsenhoven@ovam.bewww.ovam.beYesyesyes
Risk management of groundwater contamination based on fluxes of pollution A thorough characterization of groundwater pollution in combination with a well elaborated risk assessment is the basis of risk-based management of groundwater contamination. Soil contamination poses a risk for spreading when receptors are affected or when there is a risk that they will be affected in the future. Receptors include surface waters, groundwater-dependent ecosystems, protection areas for drinking water and extraction wells. The determination of the flux of pollution that spreads from the total mass of pollution is a highly relevant aspect for risk evaluation and follow-up of remediation project. Up till now the determination of the fluxes of pollution is not part of the standard procedures for soil investigation. An evaluation of fluxes based on concentrations obtained with active sampling methods may not be representative for the actual fluxes. Active sampling methods only give a snapshot of concentrations one specific moment. For certain pollutants such as chlorinated solvents for example, these active sampling measurements show strong fluctuations in measured concentrations. Passive sampling techniques for groundwater allow samples to be taken over a long period of time. In this way a time-averaged picture of the concentrations can be obtained. In combination with a direct or indirect determination of the groundwater flux, the pollutant flux can be derived. At present no framework is available that allows to evaluate the results from measurements of fluxes of pollution. With this project the first step is taken in the development of a framework and the possible implementation in standard procedures. Based on a literature study and the results of pilot projects, different options for implementation are evaluated. possibly, currently fundingnbal@ovam.be
OVAM
Griet Van Gestelgriet.van.gestel@ovam.bewww.ovam.beYesyesyes
Emerging contaminants The interests of OVAM regarding emerging contaminants lie on the interface between science and policy. Matters of concern and challenges are large: risks for human health and ecosystems, risk for further spreading (e.g. by dredging of sediments), lack of guidance for local and regional authorities, uncertainty about liability, … There is a need for guidance on how to deal with new substances in practice: on sampling, analysis and risk analysis, on how to manage, prevent and remediate contamination of soil, (ground)water and sediment. Problems on liability and legislation are not less important. For the moment , the approach of OVAM is to give priority to substances of highest ‘overall’ risk, and for which remediation or prevention is feasible. The scale of use of the substance, the way and extent to which it was spilled into the environment, the persistence, mobility and toxicity are taken into account to estimate the ‘overall’ risks. Hereby, we are relying on our experience with the inventory, the management and remediation of soil and groundwater pollution with more common substances. However, given the size of the problem, transnational co-operation will be essential to tackle it. Therefore, we want to collaborate with researchers, problem owners, and other policy makers on this theme. possibly, currently fundingnbal@ovam.be

Czech Republic


Adam Skava
+420595622461adam.skava@msk.czhttps://www.msk.cz/cz/verejna_sprava/dotacni-program-podpora-vedy-a-vyzkumu-v-moravskoslezskem-kraji-2017-92989/yespossiblynoProgramme for the support of research in the Moravian Silesian Region supports innovative projects that help with innovative solutions and support regional development.
possiblyklusacek@geonika.cz
Marie Pacakova
xymarie.pacakova@gacr.czhttps://gacr.cz/en/yespossiblynoGrant Agency of the Czech Republic, a section for support of the research. Open to all fields of science. The Czech Science Foundation (also known as the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, GA CR) was established in 1993 as the main independent public organization with the aim to support basic research in the Czech Republic and promote international collaboration of researchers and research teams on the bilateral and multilateral levels. On the basis of calls for proposals, the Czech Science Foundation provides financial support for experienced as well as young and early-stage researchers. Moreover, it funds bilateral projects together with projects carried out within international research programmes. The subject of a project proposal is determined by the applicant (bottom-up principle). Around 2,500 project proposals are submitted to the GA CR every year, of which more than one-fourth obtain financial support. The GA CR invites proposals in all disciplines of basic research.
possiblyklusacek@geonika.cz
Lukas Kacena
xylukas.kacena@tacr.czhttps://www.tacr.cz/index.php/en/yespossiblynoTechnology Agency of the Czech Republic, section for management of research
possiblyklusacek@geonika.cz

Europe


Finland


France


Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Marion BARDYmarion.bardy@agriculture.gouv.frhttp://www,agriculture.gouv.frunknownyesyesHow to manage the multifunctionality of agricultural soils, also takes into account in the decision making - transverse to several themes. What means of action / levers for actors managing agricultural ecosystems
Evolution of French Soil Monitoring Network ( Soil scientific interest Group -GIS SOL): developement of new indicator sets, towards monitoring of soil functions, etc. yes, possiblymc.dictor@brgm.fr

Germany


Italy


ISPRA
Michele Munafòmichele.munafo@isprambiente.itwww.isprambiente.itYesyesno
Monitoring activities in charge of ISPRA and National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA) currently fundingmatteo.tabasso@siti.polito.it
Regione Piemonte
Guido Baschenisguido.baschenis@regione.piemonte.itwww.regione.piemonte.ityesyesno
Regione Piemonte is interested to develop specific politics to make more effective and promote common methodolgies, at europea level, to monitoring soil consuption.possiblymatteo.tabasso@siti.polito.it

Netherlands


implementation programme soil and subsurface
Leo Hamerlinck (via Linda Maring)linda.maring@deltares.nlhttps://www.bodemplus.nl/onderwerpen/bodem-ondergrond/bodemconvenant/thema/kennis/uitvragen/uitvraag-2017/aanbestedingsvormen/xxxpossiblypossiblyThis programme has budget untill (10 mln between 2017-2020) for soil and subsurface. They use the Dutch knowledge agenda soil and subsurface (which is the same as the dutch contribution to the INSPIRATION agenda) as leading research questions. They set out different calls (next call is on climate / rural area, nature / infrastructure or energy, max 150 KEUR, 50% cofininancing needed, deadline Nov 29 2017 ) They are open for collaboration in europe. how and on which topics is not specified yest. Probably theyw ant to arrange this via the Knowledge and Innovation Program Soil and Subsurface (also entered in this database)
possiblylinda.maring@deltares.nl

Poland


Janusz Janeczek
National Science Centre, ul. Królewska 57 30-081 Kraków, Polandjanusz.janeczek@us.edu.plhttps://www.ncn.gov.pl/kontakt?language=enchairman of the Council of the NCNyespossiblyProf. Jan Skowronek will be attending the conference on the behalf of prof. Janeczek. They co-operate closely, because prof. Janeczek is a member of Scientific Board of IETU
The subject is important also at a local scale, especially for local authorities and as well as at a national scale in connection with the land use planning.sta@ietu.katowice.pl

Portugal


Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Maria MaiaMaria.Maia@fct.ptwww.fct.ptPermission for what?yesyes
possibly, already funded, currently fundingtpanago@ualg.pt
Center on Spatial and Organizational Dynamics
Thomas Panagopoulostpanago@ualg.pthttp://cieo.pt/mission.phpyespossiblyyes
possiblytpanago@ualg.pt
António José Conde Buzio Sampaio Ramos
218814000antonio.ramos@adcoesao.pthttp://www.adcoesao.pt/AD&Cpossiblypossibly
outside our remittpanago@ualg.pt

Romania


Slovakia


Slovenia


Spain


Sweden


The Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agrucultural Sciences and Spatial Planning
Elisabet Goranssonelisabet.goransson@formas.sewww.formas.seyespossiblypossiblyMay be a change of Contact person
possiblyyvonne.ohlsson@swedgeo.se

Switzerland


Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF
c/o Marco Pützmarco.puetz@wsl.chwww.snf.chnonono
possiblymarco.puetz@wsl.ch
Swiss Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
c/o Marco Pützmarco.puetz@wsl.chwww.bafu.admin.chnonono
possiblymarco.puetz@wsl.ch

United Kingdom


Long term monitoring to show changes in soil quality to levels impacting soil function, food security and human health and to measure progress on land degradation neutrality.

  • For founders
  • For endusers
  • For researchers
  • For citizens
Investment in information on trends in soil quality and land use will enable the assessment of links between demand and natural capital (ecosystem services). Long term funding is needed to detect changes in the slowly reacting SSW system that will act as early warning indicators to help prevent harmful changes and to identify tipping points that land use management actions can help avoid.
Soil quality and quantity is essential for delivering food, clean water, climate regulation, health benefits and many other ecosystem services. Data and monitoring are the basis for raining awareness on the societal relevance of good soil quality and land quantity. Monitoring identifies changes and will help avoid soil degradation, which is a root cause of land abandonment, states suffering war and land use conflicts, refugees and depopulation of rural areas.
Monitoring and data analysis is needed to assess changes in space and time in soil and land properties and soil functioning. The challenge is to develop harmonized, efficient, comprehensive metrics and indicators of soil quality and change, using ground measurements, remote sensing and citizen science. Develop relevant and robust statistical tools to predict approaching tipping points. Applicability needs to span the rural and the urban.
Health and well-being are linked to adequate soil quality. Monitoring changes in soil and land quality will help prevent reaching conditions harmful to those soil functions delivering food security, pollution mitigation and adaptation to climate change, thereby protecting Europe's citizens consistently and efficiently.

A European wide soil monitoring network. Data are needed to parametrize descriptive models and understand systemic dependencies in the soil-sediment-water system. Information will assist in meeting the land degradation neutrality target, and monitoring changes in soil conditions (chemical, biological and physical) that affect soil function. Desirable trends and targets need to be formulated.

Background: The ENVironmental ASsessment of Soil for mOnitoring (ENVASSO) Project was funded as Scientific Support to Policy (SSP) under the European Commission 6th Framework Programme (Contract 022713, 2006- 8). The main task was to document existing soil monitoring schemes in 25 EU member states and to give an outline for a European-wide monitoring network to assess the state of European soils and trends of soil properties. ENVASSO also proposed a number of new monitoring sites to complete the network for overall Europe. (http://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/projects/envasso). – So far, soil monitoring networks have focused on assessing the trends of hazardous compounds in soil, soil biology, erosion, and in some intensive monitoring sites also fluxes of compounds between soil and groundwater. But meanwhile, a number of questions arose that cannot be answered by “classical” monitoring. These are related to e.g. topics of climate change, food security, SDG implementation and accounting, and challenges in land-use changes. How can we achieve the connection of established networks and the integration of new networks in a way that ensures broad data availability (open data)? Are new statistical methods needed given the new demand for data and reporting? – Although ENVASSO proposed a European wide cooperation, and although on the EEA/JRC-level the European Data Center was established, a network of monitoring systems is still waiting to come to power. There a some surveys done in Europe like geochemical mapping of agricultural and grazing land soil (GEMAS), the forest soil survey or LUCAS-soil run by JRC but the future / replication of these activities is not sure and cannot replace a true monitoring. Nevertheless the harmonized methods should be taken into account in future harmonization activities, – New regulation (like INSPIRE) for data exchange has to take into force, but still research is needed to answer to knowledge gaps (parameters, indicators, scale). The remote sensing techniques, like the COPERNICUS program, might bring new data and information needed as background data for the monitoring.
Goal: Give an actual proposal for a European wide soil monitoring network to provide an information and data tool for scientists and decision makers. How to meet the land degradation neutrality target? Define Status of the soils in Europe and the trends of changes – either in soil / land use but also in impacts to the soils (chemical, biological and physical changes of soil functions). There is a definition needed: What is good soil quality – for which purposes? So soil quality targets should be elaborated.
Rationale from the themes: Demand: Without information on soil properties and the trends of changes in soil quality and soil use, we are not able to assess the links between demand and natural capital (ecological services). New challenges, new types of land use influence the soil quality, e.g. biomass production for energy, monoculture, agroforestry – which on the other hand are needed to satisfy our societal demands for sufficient energy, food and fibre. From a monitoring perspective new action is needed, because these land use types have not been covered in the monitoring schemes so far. There is nearly no monitoring of soils in urban areas but changes and loss of soil functions caused by land use changes are very quick. So a monitoring not only of quantity of soil loss / and take but also of quality changes is urgent.
Natural Capital: Data availability is a necessary precondition to deriving models and understanding the systematic links in the Soil-Sediment-Water System. Only based on such information, tipping points can be identified. That is why the soil biology (biodiversity) should be monitored too. The number and geo-reference according to land use and soil type have to valuated to know whether or not the monitoring schemes in the EU 27 – if exist – cover the needs of the question that have to answered. Monitoring makes only sense if you can relate the data to a certain background or threshold value. So these values have to be elaborate if they do not exist (see GEMAS-project).
Land Management: Usually the monitoring sites cover grassland, arable land, forest and sometimes some specific cultures like vin yard. A quality check is needed whether the average soil type, land use types and land management practices are covered in the existing monitoring programs. In order to improve decision making today and tomorrow, also new types of land management must be incorporated in the monitoring. The existing surveys, long-term field experiments, environmental specimen banks have to be connected to the monitoring systems in a way that allows decision makers to exploit information suitable for supporting more sustainable land management. Moreover, data and monitoring are the basis for raising awareness. Therefore a stakeholder participation is needed to join them in the monitoring and in the assessment process (citizen science). The results may cause changes in (non-sustainable) measures and action to soil. The added value for the stakeholders (e.g. farmers) should be clearly shown to motivate them in taking part in these activities.
Net Impact: Methods and Data elaboration is needed to assess the net impact to soil, water, sediment and to know how soil properties are changing in time. Monitoring is also a control of success how to meet the target of “land degradation neutrality”.
So what? Monitoring might show us when soils quality decreases to a level harmful to soil functions, food security and human health. It is one of the most important instruments counting the level of land degradation – and a measure to indicate if we achieve land degradation neutrality. A long term funding is needed to have results of – most – slowly reacting soil properties but to find an early warning system if harmful changes nay occur.
Links to other fields: There is also a link to the problem of refugees, land abandonment / degradation in states suffering from war and conflicts, and problems of resettlement from rural to urban areas. These scenarios have also taken into account. Links to existing H2020-projects should be taken into account like the ISQAPER-Project.

Activities: assessment and monitoring

Goals: Good health Quality, Affodable and clean energy, Decent work and economic growth, Industry innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities, Responsible consumption, Climate action, Life on land



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