Executive Summary

1 Introduction

2 Objectives of this study

3 Water Framework Directive (WFD)

3.1 Background and data sources

3.2 Methodology

3.3 Soil degradation in WFD Article 5 reports

3.3.1 Erosion

3.3.2 Decline in organic matter

3.3.3 Local Contamination

3.3.4 Diffuse Contamination

3.3.5 Sealing

3.3.6 Compaction

3.3.7 Decline in biodiversity

3.3.8 Salinisation

3.3.9 Floods and landslides

3.4 Summarised evaluation of the WFD Article 5 reports

4 Cross Compliance

4.1 Background and context of Regulation No 1782/2003

4.2 Methodology

4.3 GAEC under Cross Compliance and their contribution to soil conservation

4.3.1 Soil erosion

4.3.1.1 Introduction

4.3.1.2 Summary of the national measures against soil erosion

4.3.1.3 Evaluation of the measures against soil erosion

4.3.2 Soil organic matter

4.3.2.1 Introduction

4.3.2.2 Summary of the national measures against loss of soil organic matter

4.3.2.3 Evaluation of the measures against loss of soil organic matter

4.3.3 Soil structure

4.3.3.1 Introduction

4.3.3.2 Summary of the national measures to maintain soil in good structure

4.3.3.3 Evaluation of the measures for maintenance of good soil structure

4.3.4 Minimum level of maintenance

4.3.4.1 Introduction

4.3.4.2 Summary of the national measures to keep a minimum level of maintenance

4.3.4.3 Evaluation of the measures to keep a minimum level of maintenance

4.3.5 Summarised evaluation of GAECs

4.3.6 Country specific analysis of GAEC measures

4.4 SMR under Cross Compliance and their contribution to soil conservation

4.4.1 Birds Directive (79/409/EEC)

4.4.1.1 Introduction

4.4.1.2 Summary of the national SMRs in the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC)

4.4.1.3 Evaluation of the measures under the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC)

4.4.2 Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)

4.4.2.1 Introduction

4.4.2.2 Summary of the national SMRs in the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)

4.4.2.3 Evaluation of the measures under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)

4.4.3 Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC)

4.4.3.1 Introduction

4.4.3.2 Summary of the national SMRs in the Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC)

4.4.3.3 Evaluation of the measures under the Groundwater Directive (80/68/EEC)

4.4.4 Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC)

4.4.4.1 Introduction

4.4.4.2 Summary of the national SMRs in the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC)

4.4.4.3 Evaluation of the measures under the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC)

4.4.5 Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC)

4.4.5.1 Introduction

4.4.5.2 Summary of the national SMRs in the Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC)

4.4.5.3 Evaluation of the measures under the Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC)

4.5 Summarised evaluation of SMRs

5 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

5.1 Background

5.2 Soil degradation in the UNCCD reports

5.2.1 Methodology for the evaluation of soil degradation

5.2.2 Information on soil degradation and evaluation

5.2.2.1 Erosion

5.2.2.2 Decline in organic matter

5.2.2.3 Local contamination

5.2.2.4 Diffuse contamination

5.2.2.5 Sealing

5.2.2.6 Compaction

5.2.2.7 Decline in biodiversity

5.2.2.8 Salinisation

5.2.2.9 Floods and landslides

5.2.3 Summarised evaluation of soil degradation in the UNCCD Reports

5.3 Measures for soil protection in the UNCCD Reports

5.3.1 Methodology for evaluation of measures

5.3.2 Information on measures

5.3.2.1 Affected countries that implemented the NAPs

5.3.2.1.1 Greece

5.3.2.1.2 Italy

5.3.2.1.3 Portugal

5.3.2.2 Affected countries which NAPs are in preparation

5.3.2.2.1 Cyprus

5.3.2.2.2 Hungary

5.3.2.2.3 Latvia

5.3.2.2.4 Malta

5.3.2.2.5 Slovak Republic

5.3.2.2.6 Slovenia

5.3.2.2.7 Spain

5.3.2.3 Not affected countries that prepare the National Reports but not the NAPs

5.3.2.3.1 Lithuania

5.3.2.3.2 Poland

5.3.3 Summarised evaluation of measures

5.3.3.1 Affected countries that implemented the NAPs

5.3.3.1.1 Greece

5.3.3.1.2 Italy

5.3.3.1.3 Portugal

5.3.3.2 Affected countries which NAPs are in preparation

5.3.3.2.1 Cyprus

5.3.3.2.2 Hungary

5.3.3.2.3 Latvia

5.3.3.2.4 Malta

5.3.3.2.5 Slovak Republic

5.3.3.2.6 Slovenia

5.3.3.2.7 Spain

5.3.3.3 Not affected countries that prepare the National Reports but not the NAPs

5.3.3.3.1 Lithuania

5.3.3.3.2 Poland

5.3.4 Conclusion of the evaluation

6 Conclusions and Recommendations

6.1 Conclusions

6.1.1 Identification and assessment of soil protection aspects in the characterisation of River-Basin Districts (WFD)

6.1.2 Identification, description and assessment of soil protection related standards under cross compliance

6.1.3 Identification and assessment of soil threats and measures under the national Action Programmes adopted by Member States pursuant the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

6.2 Recommendations

References

List of Abbreviations