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SOILGUARD

Denmark In Danish
Project period: 2021–2025

Soil samples from 234 fields in 10 different countries and experiments simulating drought and heatwaves aim to provide better insights into soil's invisible biodiversity, how it is affected by farming practices and erosion, and whether it can enhance resilience to climate change.

The Danish Technological Institute is a Danish participant in SOILGUARD—an ambitious project that examines soil biodiversity in relation to the environment, economy, and human well-being. Climate change requires urgent action for the sustainable transition, and sustainable crop production is central to this effort.

Project Goals

  • Fill knowledge gaps about soil biodiversity through comprehensive mapping of the diversity of various soil organisms as a function of farming practices and soil conditions (e.g., erosion, texture, and carbon content).
  • Develop models to predict the impact of different farming practices and soil management strategies on soil biodiversity.
  • Support the implementation of the most sustainable farming practices through the development of a SOILGUARDIAN app.
  • Establish a network (SNoK - SOILGUARD Network of Knowledge) to facilitate knowledge and experience exchange.
  • Co-create evidence-based recommendations and inform policymakers at the national, EU, and global levels.

Activities

Through an ambitious effort, SOILGUARD focuses on the importance of soil biodiversity in croplands, grasslands, and forests. The results of the research will contribute to the development of models that predict the effects of various measures in the context of climate change.

Research Efforts

  1. Mapping the entire soil food web
    In the summer of 2022, soil samples were collected from 30 Danish spring barley fields. Along with soil samples from nearly 200 fields and forest plots in Finland, Latvia, Ireland, Belgium, Hungary, Spain, Thailand, Cameroon, and Argentina, these samples were sent to laboratories in Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany. The results from analyses of chemical, physical, and biological parameters are expected by the summer of 2023. Microorganisms are identified using DNA analysis, and nematodes (roundworms) as well as micro-arthropods (springtails and mites) are also analyzed.
  2. Examining the microbial community as an indicator of soil health
    Samples were collected from 10 biogeographical regions, with each region including samples from two levels of a "land degradation gradient," based on soil carbon content, erosion, and texture. This effort aims to provide insights into microbial variation at the species level across regions and assess the influence of soil conditions on biodiversity.
  3. Studying the effects of drought and heatwaves on soil biology
    In 2022 and 2023, climate shelters were set up in Denmark and six other countries on conventionally and organically farmed fields to simulate drought in designated areas. Additionally, in 2023, a five-day heatwave was simulated using heat lamps. Soil samples will reveal how these climate changes affect soil biology and whether some soils have greater inherent resilience to climate changes than others.

Networking and Dissemination Activities

The extensive data, combined with data from previous research, will be used to develop a SOILGUARDIAN app, which could become a vital tool in decision-making processes regarding the best farming practices and soil management. The app will also incorporate responses from surveys designed to uncover knowledge and attitudes toward biodiversity and soil management.

Networking and dissemination activities, including both online and physical workshops and seminars, will aim to increase awareness and knowledge about the importance of soil's biological health and diversity among farmers, soil management stakeholders, and policymakers.

Participants

The SOILGUARD project is a broad collaboration involving 25 institutions from 18 countries. Below is a list of the institutions conducting field trials:

  • LEITAT Technological Center, Spain (Project leader)
  • ETH Zurich, Switzerland
  • The Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Spain
  • Inagro, West Flanders, Belgium
  • Latvia University of Life Science and Technologies, Latvia
  • MATE (Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences), Hungary
  • Luke (Natural Resources Institute), Finland
  • Teagasc (Agriculture and Food Development Authority), Ireland

The SOILGUARD project is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under project number 101000371.

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