Soil assessment reviews

The UK is home to many of the world’s leading soil research institutions, organisations. Work started as far back as the beginning of the last century to map the rich diversity of more than 700 different soil types which are present across the UK. In the last 40 years, attention has turned to the monitoring of our soils, to understanding how they are changing and why, and what benefits they provide us. This research provides us with an influential evidence base which can be a powerful tool for influencing both government policy and management practices.

The following are some of the most influential reviews and reports from the last 15 years. They often cite, or have resulted, in peer-reviewed, scientific papers which we cannot provide here due to copyright law but are important as they provide that independent review on which the scientific process is based.

We will continually add to this list as our work continues.

Report

Global assessment of soil pollution: Report (2021)

Global scale 2021 report by FAO and UNEP on the extent and future trends of soil pollution.

Report

Microplastics in freshwater and soil (2019)

This report by the Royal Society gathers together evidence on microplastics in freshwater and soil.

Report

Soil library

Online library of some of the most useful relevant resources relating to soils policy development, created by official, expert and authoritative sources.

Report

Back to the land: rethinking our approach to soil (2018)

This report calls for a radical rethink of farming practices and soil management in order to help regenerate the soils that underpin our supply of food and environment.

Report

The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture: Systems at breaking point. Synthesis report 2021

A report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on the status of global land and water resources.

Report

The state of the environment: soil (2019)

A report that aims to widen understanding about the state of soils.

Report

Environment Agency report on the development of a national soil monitoring network (2008)

A multi partner report in 2008 co-authored by all the main soil monitoring organisations in the UK to consider costed options for a new soil monitoring network.

Report

Parliamentary Soil Health Inquiry report (2016)

The 2016 Parliamentary Inquiry Report into Soil Health by the Environmental Audit Committee.

Report

Parliamentary Soil Health Inquiry submitted evidence (2016)

A collation of the submitted evidence to the 2016 Parliamentary Inquiry into Soil Health.

Report

Environment Agency report into soil quality indicators for environmental interactions (2006)

Review by government departments, public agencies and technical experts to map out the functions of soil and appropriate indicators of these.

Report

European Mission for Soil Health and Food (2020)

The final recommendation from the EU mission board to the European Commision as to how to create a mission for soil health and food which is relevant and will make a real difference.

Report

Review of soil monitoring networks (2006)

A catalogue of 29 past and current soil health monitoring schemes in the UK (2006).

Report

Soils and Stones: Sustaining Our Future By Influencing Change in the UK & Beyond (2021)

A report from SocEnv aimed at highlighting good practice for professionals working with soil and stones.

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