Protecting soils and ensuring their careful management: the Centre of Competence for Nature-based Climate Action (KNK) aims to persuade landowners to pursue these targets, with information, events and corresponding funding advice.
A handful of soil has more living things in it than the human population of the planet. Alongside peatlands, forests and oceans, intact soils are a major category of carbon sink. Healthy soils store water while exhibiting a high level of biodiversity; they improve the climate resilience of the agricultural sector while safeguarding its yields.
The state of play for soils in Germany
More than half of all land in Germany is utilised by the agricultural sector. Another 30 percent is covered by forests, with 13 percent being used for human settlements and transport areas. The health of soils depends on a variety of factors: the purpose for which the soil is used, how it is cultivated, is it sealed, compacted, exposed to erosion or polluted, etc.? Researchers assume that soils today exhibit a significant carbon debt in comparison to historical values from roughly 60 years ago, for example, and that the average volume of organic carbon in agricultural soils is in fact declining. The reason for this could lie in climatic changes such as rising temperatures as well as a lack of rainfall during the growing season.
What action can be taken to strengthen soils?
Ecological soil management, avoiding pesticides, the use of machinery that does not disturb soils, the promotion of woody plants in agricultural landscapes – like hedges, tree rows or agricultural forestry systems – and unsealing ground can all make soils healthier. The Centre of Competence for Nature-based Climate Action provides landowners with advice and information about funding options.
Funding calls in the field of action
Soil conserving agricultural machinery | closed
Strengthening natural soil functions: ANK funds are used to support agricultural businesses and nature conservation organisations in the purchase of soil-conserving agricultural machinery.