The first volume of the International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy includes an important discussion on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals that are the basis for the post-2015 development agenda up to the year 2030; the Yearbook focuses in particular on Goal 15, which includes achieving a "land degradation-neutral world." It also provides a comprehensive and highly informative overview of the latest developments at the international level, important cross-disciplinary issues and different approaches in national legislation. Ecologic Institute's Timo Kaphengst contributed to the chapter on "The UN Convention on Biological Diversity and Soils: Status and Future Options". Elizabeth Dooley had been involved as advisory editor.

The documentary film "Soils2Sea: Reducing nutrient loadings into the Baltic Sea" illustrates the societal story of implementing the EU's nitrate directive at regional realities in the EU member states, and in particularly in the Kocinka catchment area in south central Poland. The movie was developed and produced by Dr. Grit Martinez (Ecologic Institute) and Anne Berrini (berrini films) with support from Dr. Przemysław Wachniew (AGH University of Science and Technology Krakow) and is available via Ecologic Institute's YouTube channel.

The issue of closing mineral cycles was analyzed in eight European regions and the results are presented in the report "Resource Efficiency in Practice – Closing Mineral Cycles". The authors of BIO IS, Ecologic Institute, AMEC, Danish Technical University, University of Milano and LEI, identified measures that support the closing of mineral cycles within the study regions. For each region, practical and strategic options to reduce the nutrient surplus further were derived.

The issue of closing mineral cycles was analyzed in eight European regions and the results are presented in the report "Resource Efficiency in Practice – Closing Mineral Cycles". The authors of BIO IS, Ecologic Institute, AMEC, Danish Technical University, University of Milano and LEI, identified measures that support the closing of mineral cycles within the study regions. For each region, practical and strategic options to reduce the nutrient surplus further were derived. The report is available for download.

Delicately fragranced rose blossoms. Dew drops sparkling on leaves. Buzzing bees, fluttering butterflies and a basket of homegrown fruits and aromatic herbs. Gardening is a sensual experience - a pleasure and a joy. Or, at least, as long as everything goes according to plan. When the roses are infested with vine lice, the tomatoes rot and the dainty white butterfly turns out to be the malicious Pieris brassicae, a relaxing hobby can quickly become a source of stress and a bitter battle against pests and disease. The brochure is available for download.

Inefficient use of fertilizers in agriculture means that serious environmental problems are still being created 25 years after the entry into force of the nitrates directive. Using the example of the Weser-Ems region, Evelyn Lukat and Sandra Naumann from the Ecologic Institute describing ways to reduce such problems.

This infographic shows photos of attractive flowering plants that are avoided by slugs.

This infographic helps to plan crop rotation in your vegetable garden. The table shows the nutritional needs and the plant family of the most important vegetables.

This infographic illustrates how to differentiate between root and seed weeds. The most common root and seed weeds are illustrated with photos.

Making your garden attractive for beneficial organisms is a preventive plant protection measure. This infographic shows you how to do that.

The infographic explains the use of nematodes, bacteria and viruses for biological pest control.

Altvater, Susanne; Elizabeth Dooley and Ennid Roberts 2015: Legal Instruments to Implement the Objective 'Land Degradation Neutral World' in International Law. Dessau-Roßlau: UBA.

In times of conflicting environmental objectives, the bioeconomy has evolved as one of the most contested fields in resource and climate policies. This article by Timo Kaphengst and Stephanie Wunder stresses the overall scarcity of land as a significant obstacle for further expansion of biomass production for the bioeconomy. The authors argue for a more demand-driven strategy to alleviate stress on land ecosystems. The article is available for download.

Kraemer, R. Andreas; Ruta Landgrebe-Trinkunaite; Tanja Dräger et al. 2004: EU Soil Protection Policy. Current Status and the Way Forward. Ecologic, Berlin.