Soil degradation in the European Mediterranean region: Processes, status and consequences

Summary

Soil, a non-renewable resource, sustains life on Earth by supporting around 95% of global food production and providing ecosystem services such as biomass production, filtration of contaminants and transfer of mass and energy between spheres. Unsustainable management practices and climate change are threatening the natural capital of soils, particularly in the Mediterranean region, where increasing population, rapid land-use changes, associated socio-economic activities and climate change are imposing high pressures on the region's shallow soils. Despite evidence of high soil susceptibility to degradation and desertification, the true extent of soil degradation in the region is unknown. This paper reviews and summarises the scientific literature and relevant official reports, with the aim

Regional applicability

Whilst this study focuses on the European Mediterranean region, its findings on soil degradation processes and monitoring gaps are relevant to UK agricultural and land-management contexts, particularly for regions with similar pressures (intensive land use, climate variability). The recommendation for harmonised soil monitoring systems aligns with UK soil health priorities under existing agricultural and environmental policies.

Key measures

Soil degradation processes categorised as physical (sealing, compaction, erosion), chemical (organic matter loss, contamination, salinisation), and biological; spatial extent and temporal changes in degradation; data availability gaps

Outcomes reported

The study synthesised scientific literature and official reports to map the status, causes, and consequences of soil degradation processes across physical, chemical, and biological categories in the European Mediterranean region. The review identified well-documented degradation processes (e.g. erosion) alongside poorly-addressed areas (e.g. biodiversity loss) and gaps in data availability.

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