RECARE: preventing and remediating degradation of soils in Europe through land care

Although there is a large body of knowledge available on soil threats in Europe, this knowledge is fragmented and incomplete, in particular regarding the complexity and functioning of soil systems and their interaction with human activities. The main aim of RECARE is to develop effective prevention, remediation and restoration measures using an innovative trans-disciplinary approach, actively integrating and advancing knowledge of stakeholders and scientists in 17 Case Studies, covering a range of soil threats in different bio-physical and socio-economic environments across Europe. This will be achieved through: (a) assessing the current state of degradation and conservation using a new methodology, based on the WOCAT mapping procedure; (b) quantifying the impacts of degradation and conservation on soil functions and ecosystem services in a harmonized, spatially explicit way, accounting for costs and benefits, and possible trade-offs; (c) selecting and implementing prevention, remediation and restoration measures with stakeholders in a participatory process, including evaluation of their efficacy; and (d) assessing the applicability and impact of these measures at the European level using a new integrated bio-physical and socio-economic model, accounting for land use dynamics as a result of, for instance, economic development and policies.

Project website

http://www.recare-project.eu/