Welcome to the EUROPEAN BUREAU NETWORK 2009 Plenary Meeting

Szent István University, Gödöllő, HUNGARY 14 - 15 September, 2009

Benchmark Introduction to the topic Current EU Needs /Expectations

ƒ Harmonized maps on soil resources ƒ Harmonized observations / data bases and maps mainly on properties limiting (property / functional maps) ƒ Definition and delineation of „risk areas” Problems

ƒ Data collection methods of inventory and monitoring are very diverse - mostly not satisfying sampling and analytical requirements (accurcy) ƒ Data base structures and availability are diverse ƒ Almost all member states have their own national systems → comparison of soil conditions difficult at EU level Aggregation on a 50 to 50 km grid => A great heterogeneity

Gaps in southern EU

ENVASSO ENVASSO ENVASSO Vertical sampling design

unknown

Pedogenetic horizons Fixed depth sampling Both sampling Choosing sites

n = 65 Others Random

Judgemental

Systematic ENVASSO Maximal depth of sampling 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Cumulated frequency Cumulated 0% 0 50 100 150 200 Soil depth (cm)

ENVASSO → No way that we can fill the gaps in short period of time

We cant get detailed quality data for the entire Europe Problems

ƒ Data collection methods of inventory and monitoring are very diverse mostly not satisfying sampling and analytical requirements (accurcy) ƒ Data base structures and availability are diverse ƒ Almost all member states have their own national soil classification systems → comparison of soil conditions difficult at EU level INSPIRE

INSPIRE is based on existing data Problems

ƒ Data collection methods of inventory and monitoring are very diverse ƒ Data base structures and availability are diverse mostly not satisfying sampling and analytical requirements (accurcy) ƒ Almost all member states have their own national soil classification systems → comparison of soil conditions difficult at EU level The WRB allows soils from different regions or countries to be identified and characterized with the same terminology.

Csernozjom (H) Cernice (Cz) Schwarzerde (D) (USA)

MollicMollic horizonhorizon MollicMollic horizonhorizon MollicMollic horizonhorizon MollicMollic horizonhorizon

CalcicCalcic horizonhorizon CalcicCalcic horizonhorizon CalcicCalcic horizonhorizon CalcicCalcic horizonhorizon

Chernozems (WRB) Allows soil from different regions or countries to be identified and characterized with the same terminology.

Podzol (H) (Ir) Podzol (Fr) Podzol (Cz)

AlbicAlbic horizonhorizon AlbicAlbic horizonhorizon AlbicAlbic horizonhorizon AlbicAlbic horizonhorizon

ArgicArgic horizonhorizon ArgicArgic horizonhorizon SpodicSpodic horizonhorizon SpodicSpodic horizonhorizon

Alisol (WRB) Luvisol (WRB) Podzol (WRB) Podzol (WRB) 1:1M

Original polygons were not changed (ST) Cryozems (Russia)

Cryosols (WRB) ƒ In case of „proper correlation”, methodology and terminology problems occur; ƒ There are consequences on spatial distribution; Conclusions /questions

ƒ We should not give up to fill up the gaps, but need detailed information on important / common soils urgently → who? how?

ƒ Standardization / Harmonization / Correlation (?) → who ? ƒ Data, maintenance accessibilityy → who ? Conclusions ƒ We should not give up to fill up the gaps, but need detailed information on important / common soils urgently → who? how? Benchmark soils / sites

ƒ Standardization / Harmonization / Correlation (?) → who ? A correlator network ƒ Data, maintenance accessibility → who ? JRC? Or Shall we start more seriously suggest / design a European Soil Conservation Network Organization Benchmark Soils Definition (National Handbook, NSSH) A benchmark soil is one of large extent within one or more major land resource areas, one that holds a key position in the soil classification system, one for which there is a large amount of data, one that has special importance to one or more significant land uses, or one that is of significant ecological importance. A benchmark soil represents other soils. Knowledge of the properties and behavior of benchmark soils contributes to the understanding and interpretation of other soils with similar properties. Purpose Benchmark soils help to focus the investigative effort on soils that have the greatest potential for extending collected data and resultant interpretations to other soils. Benchmark soils are useful in planning many kinds of soil studies. Use of benchmark soils: • assessing conservation effects • evaluating soil interpretations • monitoring dynamic soil property changes • measuring saturated hydraulic conductivity • determining • verifying and testing soil erodibility factors • collecting crop and range plant adaptation and yields • assessing soil fertility • locating sources for training • modeling crop/soil/pesticide scenarios for surface water and groundwater assessments • modeling pedotransfer functions Criteria

Soils that represent the range of soil conditions within a major land resource area serve as benchmark soil The criteria are: A benchmark soil is one of large extent, one that holds a key position in the soil classification system, one for which there is a large amount of data, or one that has special significance to farming, engineering, forestry, urban development, wetland or other uses. Reference profile A well characterized and documented profile that can be used as refernce for identifying similar soils (regardless of extent or significance) Benchmark soil A well characterized soil that has great extent and/or significance Benchmark A landform /soil association tat occurs catena frequently (most probably with similar threats) Benchmark A defined area with benhmark soils study site where detailed investigations are (can be) carried out Who is going do the work?

Correlation /harmonization → Correlation network

Coordination of selection, data collection maintenance → Shall we start more seriously suggest / design a European Soil Conservation Network Organization