Soil Atlas of Europe

Abstract

Soil is a natural living system, crucial ti human activities as well as ecological functions. It foems aver very long periods of time and once destroyed, for instance by pollution, intensive urbanisation or inadequate agricultural and forestry practices, it is effectively lost to present and future generations. It is in this context that the JRC has coordinated the creation of the first "Soil Atlas of Europe" by bringing together experts scientists from soil institutes in over 40 countries through the European Soil Bureau Network. The Atlas consists of high quality soil maps and easy to understand texts supported by unique photographs. The Atlas illustrates the complex inter-linkages between soil degradation processes and threats to human health and secutity by describing and mapping major soil functions. The Atlas also discusses the principal threats to soil across Europe.