Lower Austrian soil inventory revisited

Lower Austrian soil inventory revisited: Additional sampling in selected soil districts

Between 2016 and 2022, in Lower Austria about 625 sampling sites of the Austrian soil map, and 870 sites of the Lower Austrian soil inventory have been revisited. Topsoil samples (0 - 20 cm) were collected and, along with archived samples from the period around 1990, analysed for soil health descriptors. This project aims at re-collecting additional 300 sites of the soil inventory. Data obtained will be used for assessing changes in soil health to provide a information required for fulfilling the Lower Austrian soil protection law, and to contribute to the consultation process for the upcoming European Soil Monitoring and Resilience Law.

Thematic areas

Soil monitoring and indicators Tackling pollution and restoration

Project contribution to Mission Soil’s:

Specific objectives

  • 1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
    Not targeted
  • 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
    Not targeted
  • 3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
    Not targeted
  • 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
    Not targeted
  • 5. Prevent erosion
    Partially targeted
  • 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
    Partially targeted
  • 7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
    Not targeted
  • 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
    Not targeted

Operational objectives

  • 1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
    Not targeted
  • 2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
    Targeted
  • 3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
    Not targeted
  • 4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
    Not targeted

Innovation hotspots

  • 1. Carbon farming
    Not targeted
  • 2. Soil pollution and restoration
    Targeted
  • 3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
    Not targeted
  • 4. Circular economy solutions
    Not targeted

Cross-cutting dimensions

  • 1. Business
    Not targeted
  • 2. Digital
    Not targeted
  • 3. Territorial
    Not targeted
  • 4. International
    Not targeted

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