Important legal notice

Land Management & Natural Hazards Unit

SOIL

European Commission

Joint Research Centre

Institute for Environment and Sustainability

EU Soils Web Site

Soil Atlas of Europe

 

 

 

Healthy soil is a fundamental and irreplaceable component of agricultural production. The demands of agriculture must be balanced by soil protection measures. This concept is known as sustainable agriculture. Good agricultural practices can maintain and even improve soil health, soil quality and soil biodiversity, combat soil erosion processes and protect human health (EM).

 

An example of poor land management practices. In this field, ploughing has been carried out up and down the slope rather than across the slope (a technique known as contour ploughing). As a result, the plough furrows act as rills or small gullies and facilitate the movement of soil down the slope when heavy rainfall occurs. The sediment is deposited as a fan-like feature at the end of the furrow (RJ).

 

 

 

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