New article about soil compaction in Europe

Based on data from five national and regional soil monitoring networks across Europe, the anthropogenic component of subsoil compaction has been estimated using data-driven reciprocal modelling. On average, cropland management has increased the subsoil bulk density by +0.03 g cm^-3; in German cropland, the mean anthropogenic increase in subsoil bulk density was estimated at +0.04 g cm^-3. Across Europe, 36% of annual cropland sites (and 39% of Germany sites) where found to be compacted in the subsoil, of which approximately a third of these sites were compacted due to anthropogenic activity. Assessing and mapping of subsoil compaction and its drivers is important to better understand soil degradation and its pathways. This is the first study to assess the anthropogenic subsoil compaction at European scale.

• Soil data from five countries and regions (Denmark, Flanders (Belgium), Germany, France, and Ireland) was used as the foundation for the study.
• 14 % - 52 % of annual cropland sites in included regions had compacted subsoil layers.
• Of these sites with a packing density above the threshold, 30% were found to be compacted due to anthropogenic activities rather than natural causes.
• Subsoil compaction was primarily found in loamy soils as well as soils with low organic carbon content.

https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.70150