An EU-based soils and land management research project based on Earth observation is seeking investment after strong results in its first 18 months.

A statement from the coordinating body of an EU-China consortium developing a new infrastructure for soil health monitoring suggests that the project is outperforming its initial brief.

The SIEUSOIL research project (Sino-EU Observatory for Intelligent Land use management) aims to shape sustainable soil management practices based on a harmonised land information system suitable for diverse climate and operation conditions.

Supported by the Research and Innovation programme HORIZON 2020, the program has established partnerships with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the International Soil Reference and Information Centre, the Joint Research Center and the European Environment Agency.

The group reports that new biophysical parameters derived from Earth observation have informed pilot activities at sites across the EU and China, with a set of indicators defined, and that prediction models for soil health using satellite data have been validated with farm machinery measurements on the ground.

The group also reports that a pilot-scale Decision Support System (DSS) specifications and a prototype test version have been prepared, and the program’s agenda aligns with the EU’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies under its proposed ‘Green Deal’.

SIEUSOIL is a of consortium of 23 partners, 16 based in Europe and 7 in China, oordinated by Professor Dimitrios Moshou of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

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