Policy implications of multiple concurrent soil erosion processes in European farmland

Pasquale Borrelli (), Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell, Cristiano Ballabio, Hugo Oliveira Fagundes, Nigussie Haregeweyn, Emanuele Lugato, Michael Maerker, Jean Poesen, Matthias Vanmaercke and David A. Robinson
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Pasquale Borrelli: Roma Tre University
Panos Panagos: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Christine Alewell: University of Basel
Cristiano Ballabio: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Hugo Oliveira Fagundes: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Nigussie Haregeweyn: Tottori University
Emanuele Lugato: Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Michael Maerker: University of Pavia
Jean Poesen: KU Leuven
Matthias Vanmaercke: KU Leuven
David A. Robinson: Environment Centre Wales

Nature Sustainability, 2023, vol. 6, issue 1, 103-112

Abstract: Abstract Soil erosion is a serious threat to soil functions leading to land productivity decline and multiple off-site effects. Here we show, using a multi-model approach, the spatial risk of soil erosion by water, wind, tillage and harvesting and where the co-occurrence of these different processes is observed. Moreover, we analysed where these locations of multiple erosion co-occurrence are likely to intersect with the projected increase of dry/wet climate conditions. Of the ~110 million hectares (M ha) of arable land in the European Union, our estimates show that 43 M ha are vulnerable to a single driver of erosion, 15.6 M ha to two drivers and 0.81 M ha to three or more drivers. About 3.2 M ha of arable land are vulnerable to the possible interaction of increased flood, drought, water and wind erosion. We contend that this set of predictions serves as a basis for developing an efficient stratified monitoring network and informing targeted mitigation strategies under the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027. The road to the sustainable, carbon-neutral and biodiversity-friendly system of agriculture advocated for in the EU Green Deal goes through a thematic strategy for soil protection from multiple concurrent erosion processes.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00988-4

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