EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) - Newsletter December 2025
EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) - Newsletter December 2025
See latest highlights and insights on soil-related research and policy developments within the European Union
EUSO/ESDAC Newsletter
EU Soil Observatory (EUSO)
Newsletter No 183 - December 2025
Dear Readers,
The December 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.
The measured soil erodibility (K-factor) point data are now available on ESDAC. This dataset contains 21 680 records from LUCAS 2009/2012, as presented in the paper of Panagos et al. 2014. It includes point data, shape files and the geopackage.
Fraction of Carbon in Soil Organic Matter on ESDAC
A collation of datasets and derived carbon metrics is provided on ESDAC. This includes data on total soil carbon, soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil organic matter (SOM) for soil samples from Europe, permafrost regions and global seagrass sediments. SOC and SOM were used to calculate the fraction of SOC in SOM (foc) and SOM content was used to define mineral (<20% SOM) and organic (>20% SOM) soils. The provided dataset was used to explore foc as a national-scale soil process indicator.
Post-event Report – EUSO Stakeholders Forum – Soil challenges and solutions in the Mediterranean
Reflecting the growing policy emphasis on the Mediterranean region, the third session of the EUSO Stakeholder Forum 2025 addressed key challenges and explored solutions for soil management in this area.
The forum was a hybrid workshop, in collaboration with the FAO. Participants had the opportunity to reflect on recent research to better quantify soil degradation and innovative solutions that focus on sustainability, resilience, and adapting to climate and landscape challenges.EUSO 5th Stakeholders Forum
Mission Soil Work Programme 2026-2027 published
The Mission Soil Work Program 26-27 includes 12 calls for proposals. The calls address topics such as antimicrobial resistance in soils, long-term field experiments and agroforestry, among others. It also includes new calls for Living Labs. In addition, there are two joint calls, one with the Mission Adaptation to Climate Change and one with the Cancer Mission. The calls will open on 4 February 2026. Calls are also open for all Clusters (including Cluster 6) of HORIZON Europe.
Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive now available in all 24 EU Languages
The Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive will enter into force on 16 December 2025. This landmark legislation establishes a standardized framework for monitoring soil health, resilience, and contamination across the Union. The text of the Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive is now available in all 24 official EU languages.
Post-event report – Webinar on the next LUCAS Soil Survey protocol
On 10 December 2025, the EUSO Working Group on soil monitoring organised a webinar on the soil sampling protocol for the next LUCAS survey. The technical specificities of the proposed sampling protocol for the next LUCAS survey were discussed, and attendees had the opportunity to give feedback and ask questions. The presentation and the recording of the webinar are now available on the EUSO webpage.
December 5th was World Soil Day – a global reminder that healthy soils are the foundation of life and sustainable competitiveness. For the JRC Soil Team, this day underscores how soil health drives food security, climate resilience, and economic sustainability. To celebrate, our team created two posters that highlight the vital role soils play in supporting ecosystems and competitiveness for Europe’s future.
Let’s keep working together to protect this essential resource!
Alpine Convention on Soil Protection Working Group
To mark 2025 World Soil Day, the Alpine Convention’s Soil Protection Working Group released it's Peatland Statement. The document highlights how a combination of voluntary and mandatory measures aimed at creating incentive systems for rewetting moors as natural areas or for site-adapted agricultural and forestry use is of central importance for the conservation and restoration of moors in the Alpine region. Available in all Alpine languages, this document offers a definition of moors, as well as suitable instruments and best practices.
