Soil Health: Definitions, Criteriaand Economic Dimensions in the European Context
Soil Health: Definitions, Criteriaand Economic Dimensions in the European Context

Author(s): Sofi-Nikol Petrova
Subject(s): Politics, Economy, Agriculture, Energy and Environmental Studies, Environmental and Energy policy, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: soil health; soil health indicators
Summary/Abstract: This report provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of “soil health,” examining its historical evolution, contemporary scientific definitions, key assessment criteria, and economic dimensions within the European Union. Through a structured literature review and analysis of major EU policy documents – including the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Soil Monitoring Law, and the Soil Deal for Europe – the study traces how the understanding of soil health has shifted from a narrow focus on soil fertility toward a multidisciplinary concept that integrates biological, physical, chemical, ecological, and socio-economic perspectives. Historically, soil health was assessed primarily through physical and chemical properties, with particular emphasis on soil fertility and humus content. By the 1930s, biological characteristics such as vegetation, organic matter, and microbial communities became central to the concept. Modern definitions by FAO and international researchers conceptualize soil as a “living system,” whose continued capacity to function determines its health. This includes the ability to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or improve water and air quality, regulate nutrient and hydrological cycles, and support biodiversity. European policy frameworks expand this understanding, highlighting soil as a key actor in climate regulation, carbon sequestration, food security, and the resilience of ecosystems and economies. The report reviews the principal groups of soil health indicators – chemical, physical, and biological – and discusses the persistent challenges of establishing harmonized monitoring systems across the EU. European soils are highly diverse, spanning multiple climatic zones, soil types, and land-use practices, which complicates the definition of uniform threshold values. According to the European Environment Agency, coherent assessment requires integrated indicator sets, functional thresholds, and standardized sampling methods. The proposed Soil Monitoring Law aims to address these gaps by setting common criteria, harmonized methodologies, and mandatory monitoring across Member States. From an economic perspective, the report emphasizes that soil health functions both as a private asset and a public good. Healthy soils generate direct economic benefits by improving crop yields, reducing input costs, increasing land value, and enhancing resilience to climate extremes. Indirectly, they provide essential ecosystem services – including carbon storage, water purification, flood mitigation, and biodiversity conservation – that are not reflected in traditional markets but carry substantial societal value. Conversely, soil degradation imposes significant economic losses, estimated at tens of billions of euros annually in the EU, through reduced productivity, environmental remediation costs, and increased vulnerability to climate risks. The report concludes that maintaining soil health requires integrated scientific knowledge, effective policy implementation, and broad societal engagement. Expanding harmonized monitoring, strengthening advisory services and knowledge transfer, and increasing public awareness are essential steps toward achieving the EU’s soil health goals for 2030 and ensuring long-term ecological and economic sustainability.

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