Experimental Sites Selected and Soil Sampling Underway

The LivingSoiLL project has entered a decisive stage in its mission to foster soil health and sustainability in permanent cropping systems. Following the definition of experimental sites, the consortium has successfully selected and characterized a set of Experimental Sites (EXPS) across its five Living Labs, marking the beginning of a comprehensive phase of baseline soil sampling and analysis.

More than 60 EXPS have been established across Europe in the Luso-Galician, Andalusian, North-Western Italy – Piemonte, Loire Valley & Beaujolais, and Grójec Living Labs.

Each EXPS represents a unique agroecosystem (from vineyards and olive groves to apple orchards, chestnut and hazelnuts orchards) offering real contexts where science, practice, and local knowledge converge to co-create innovative soil management solutions.

Soil sampling for the baseline assessment is underway across these sites, following the project’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure methodological consistency.

The collected samples are now undergoing analysis for a wide range of soil health indicators, including:

Metagenomics
General physical and chemical parameters, including nutrients
Metal content
Soil Organic Carbon
Pesticide residues
Erosion rate

These analyses will provide a robust baseline dataset for monitoring changes in soil health throughout the project. Tracking these parameters will allow researchers to evaluate the impact of innovative soil management practices on soil fertility, biodiversity, and resilience across different landscapes and production systems.

After the conclusion of the baseline, LivingSoiLL will move forward toward the implementation of experimental practices, bringing together farmers, researchers, and local stakeholders to co-develop and test strategies that regenerate Europe’s soils.