1s6a: Enabling conditions for climate-smart sustainable management of agricultural soils

Abstract

Soils constitute the foundation for agricultural production, ecosystem functioning and for human well-being, but paradoxically only limited attention has been given towards sustainable soil management in most national and European policies, historically. While practitioners are concerned about the state of their fields, they are often unaware of immediate and long-term effects of their farming practice, as soil degradation risks are dynamic and difficult to observe. Further, complex tradeoffs are frequently needed where different environmental, ecological and economical concerns need to be balanced. The objective of this presentation is therefore to discuss opportunities for enabling climatesmart sustainable management of agricultural soils.