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EU Soil Observatory (EUSO)
Newsletter
No 190 - July 2026
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Dear Readers,
The July edition of the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) newsletter is now available, providing the latest highlights and insights on soil-related research and policy developments within the European Union.
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Highlights
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Open vacancy in EUSO: Project Officer - Science for policy researcher in the EU Soil Observatory
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The successful candidate will join the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) project. S/he will conduct scientific research on developing methodologies to assess changes in soil health by advancing EU soil monitoring and indicator development:
- Design and Implementation of several EUSO components - including interactive dashboards, integrated datasets, bulletins.
- Develop methodologies for assessing soil health changes at the EU scale through the integration of diverse data sources, including AI, remote sensing, LUCAS Soil, and national surveys. Provide scientific evidence for the development and validation of innovative soil health indicators, including composite indicators, to further advance European soil monitoring and assessment.
- Organize the EUSO Stakeholder Forum and chair/moderate regular meetings of Mission Soil clusters as the Indicators & Monitoring cluster, EUSO Working Groups and Steering Committee meetings. Organise the programme of Soil Mission Week.
- Contribute to the development of the Mission Soil Platform on sustainable management practices, the Mission Data Catalogue and the Soil Literacy Portal.
Application deadline: 05.08.2026
For complete information, please consult the Vacancy Notice
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Open vacancy in EUSO: Project Officer - Science for policy researcher on developing the Soil Monitoring Framework
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The successful candidate will contribute to the development of an EU soil monitoring system and will assess progress on soil health in the EU. The successful candidate will conduct scientific research on advancing EU soil monitoring and indicator development:
- Monitor, assess and report the evolution of soil health in the EU over time and space.
- Advancing the soil health index framework to support the Soil Mission, making use of big data and Machine Learning tools.
- Develop indicators and tools to assess progress against Soil Mission‑specific objectives, and critically evaluate the outcomes (e.g. datasets, assessment reports, tools) of all Soil Mission projects.
- Provide technical support for the Living Lab’s implementation.
Application deadline: 24.7.2026
For complete information, please consult the Vacancy Notice
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Copper and Zinc deficiency risk in EU agricultural soils
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A new study mapped available Cu and Zn across EU agricultural soils. Results show that 32% of soils were Cu-deficient (mainly Northern/Eastern Europe), while 14% showed Zn deficiency (notably Spain, Cyprus, Finland). Toxicity risks for Cu and Zn were minimal across EU agricultural land. The findings support targeted fertilization and improved soil nutrient monitoring. The data are now available on ESDAC.
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Publication linkDataset available here
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Harmonized Europe-wide Agricultural Land Use Systems
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This new study presents a Europe-wide agricultural land use systems map produced by the integration and harmonization of grasslands and croplands layers from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service High Resolution Layers in Europe. The resulting spatial-temporal maps capture land use dynamics and vegetation patterns over multiple years, providing a comprehensive representation of changes and interactions among diverse vegetation types and land cover categories. The data are now available on ESDAC.
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Publication linkDataset available here
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Part I of EUSO Stakeholders Forum
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The EUSO and EEA are organising technical workshops on Scientific knowledge for setting non-binding Sustainable Target Values and Operational Trigger Values of the Soil Monitoring Law. Presentations and recordings of the sessions on 20 May, 23 June and 1 July are available on the EUSO website.
Part I of EUSO Stakeholder Forum - Soil Monitoring Law
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EUSO Soil Degradation Dashboard – Factsheet
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The EUSO Soil Degradation Dashboard provides the first ever EU-wide assessment of the location and the intensity of relevant soil degradation processes. The Dashboard integrates nineteen EU-wide soil degradation indicators based on the latest state-of-the art scientific knowledge. Based on these indicators, the Dashboard shows that ca 62% of EU soils are degraded.
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Link to the EUSO Soil Degradation DashboardLink to the factsheet
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Recent Publications
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REDES 2.0: A pan-European rainfall erosivity dataset showing intensifying erosivity trends
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Organic Carbon and Texture Control Moisture Dependence of Soil Shortwave Infrared Reflectance
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Enhancing the SDG 15.3.1 land-cover transition matrix using multidecadal vegetation indicators
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Events
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Horizon Europe - Mission Soil News
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TRAILS4SOIL Project - Open call for soil MRV providers
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TRAILS4SOIL is inviting soil MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) technologies to take part in its major research project investigating the impacts of Regenerative and Conservation Agricultural Practices on soil health. Selected providers of advanced technologies for measuring soil health characteristics will receive up to €50,000 per technology (max. €200,000 per provider), while fostering valuable collaborations with farmers and scientists, and receiving direct user feedback on their product(s).
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Deadline: 31.8.2026Learn more
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NEMESIS Living Lab Open Call
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Selected applicants will test and validate their solutions within the Living Labs, contribute to combating desertification, and enhance the technological maturity, scalability, and real-world impact of Nemesis outcomes.
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Link to Nemesis Call
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Mission Soil Investment Forum
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In support of a 'A Soil Deal for Europe', the European Commission launched the first Mission Soil Investment Forum, an annual conference focused on business models, finance, and investment for soil health. The forum brought together policymakers, investors, businesses, researchers, financial institutions, philanthropies, and practitioners to strengthen soil-health investment conditions in Europe. It built on discussions from the latest European Mission Soil Week, which focused on business models and investments for soil health.
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Link to event news
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BioMonitor4CAP Project questionnaire
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The BioMonitor4CAP project aims to develop both simple and advanced Agrobiodiversity monitoring and surveillance systems to support the design and implementation of outcome-oriented agricultural policies within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The project has already identified numerous stakeholders active in the fields of environment and biodiversity. The next step focuses on identifying institutions that hold relevant data, indicators, or monitoring activities specifically related to Agrobiodiversity. To help European institutions better understand your involvement and potential role in this field, please complete the following questionnaire:
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Questionnaire
BioMonitor4CAP
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European Mission Soil Week 2026
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The event will bring together policymakers, researchers, farmers, land managers, financial institutions, businesses, philanthropic organisations and citizens, to share knowledge and explore challenges and solutions for sustainable soil management. Through sessions, exhibition stands and networking, it will foster collaboration, large-scale innovation and promote the implementation of the Mission Soil across Europe.
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Link to event
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Our Network at the JRC
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Our Network at the JRC
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EUSO Components
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