CONTENTS

Authors and Contributors

Acknowledgements

Contents

Preface and Foreward

3

3

4

7

Introduction

Scope of the Atlas

What is soil

The role and importance of soil

Soil forming processes

The soil in your garden

Soil and agriculture

Soil and cultural heritage

Forest soil

Soil as a source of raw material

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9

10

12

14

18

20

21

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23

The soil of Europe

Soil classification

The major soil types of Europe

Mapping soil

Soil maps

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25

28

34

36

Soil maps of Europe

38

European soil: a global perspective

The World

Eurasia

Soil of the Mediterranean Region

Northern latitudes

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81

84

86

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A Soil Database of Europe

Geographical Information Systems

Soil Geographical Databases of Europe

Soil properties maps

Using the soil database

European Soil Bureau Network

European Soil Information System

Nested soil data

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97

98

100

102

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105

106

Key threats to soil in Europe

Introduction

Soil sealing

Erosion

Loss of organic matter

Decline in biodiversity

Contamination

Compaction

Hydro-geological risks

Salinisation

Protecting soil in the European Union

The way forward

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109

110

111

112

113

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119

Additional Information

Supporting maps

Further reading

Glossary of soil terms

The Joint Research Centre

ESB Network

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