A recently published study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), titled “A pan-European spatial inventory of agricultural land degradation,” provides new insights into the extent and distribution of agricultural land degradation across Europe. The findings highlight growing pressure on agricultural soils and the importance of integrated monitoring and management strategies to safeguard long-term food security.
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The study examines 12 major land degradation processes across 38 European countries, among them water and wind erosion, soil organic carbon loss, salinization, acidification, compaction, nutrient imbalances, pollution from pesticides and heavy metals, vegetation degradation, groundwater decline, and aridity. Using high-resolution geospatial datasets, researchers assessed these processes at five spatial scales, from continental down to sub-regional.
The results point to significant challenges for European agriculture. Pesticide-related soil pollution affects 52% of the evaluated agricultural area, followed by soil nutrient imbalances (39%), heavy-metal pollution (31%), aridity (25%), water erosion (15%), and soil compaction (15%). These figures represent areas where individual degradation processes reach critical levels, illustrating the diverse environmental pressures affecting agricultural productivity and soil health.
The research also examines how these processes overlap. Using a Land Multi-degradation Index, the researchers found that 31% of Europe's agricultural landscapes experience significant multi-degradation, defined as the simultaneous occurrence of at least three degradation processes. This underlines the interconnected nature of soil degradation and the limitations of addressing individual environmental pressures in isolation.
The study also identifies considerable geographical variation. Continental-level findings provide an overview of Europe's agricultural challenges, while national and sub-regional assessments reveal more complex patterns that reflect differences in environmental conditions and land management. The inventory includes 52 maps alongside statistical analyses, offering a detailed evidence base for identifying priority areas for interventions.
The findings are particularly relevant to ongoing European efforts to strengthen soil monitoring and protection. By providing an integrated assessment of multiple degradation processes, the research could support implementation of the EU Soil Monitoring Law and help policymakers develop more targeted, evidence-based strategies for soil management.
The study reinforces the importance of addressing soil contamination alongside other degradation pressures. Preventing heavy-metal accumulation, improving nutrient management, and strengthening long-term monitoring are essential for maintaining productive agricultural land and protecting food systems. An integrated approach to soil health will become increasingly important for the resilience and sustainability of European agriculture.
More information available at:
PRĂVĂLIE, R., NECULA, N., BORRELLI, P., PANAGOS, P., LUGATO, E. et al., A pan-European spatial inventory of agricultural land degradation, INTERNATIONAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH, 14, 3, 2026, p. 100613, KEAI PUBLISHING LTD, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.1016/j.iswcr.2026.100613, JRC142247.