This project's report outlines the existing opportunities for extensive precautionary soil protection from a scientific point of view. It will be a part of the expert report "Possibilities for an Extensive Soil Protection" of the Scientific Advisory Council for Soil Protection of the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

Background

Soil is an important part of natural substance and energy cycles. The multiple natural soil functions take part in the development of ecosystems. Therefore, the protection of soil and its natural capacities is of great importance. One important aspect of precautionary soil protection is the function of soil as a sink and as a source of harmful substances. Considering the complex interactions in the natural balance, precautionary soil protection is important for the protection of other environmental media and their organisms. At the same time, adverse effects on soil via other environmental media have to be taken into account. For that reason, precautionary soil protection must be extensive, which means that the variety of direct (via human actions) and indirect (via environmental media) effects on soil must be considered. Further requirements for an extensive soil care are necessary concerning the field of validation, the extension of existing soil protection regulations and regulations in other policy areas which also regulate impacts on soil, and impacts on soil which are not yet regulated.

Project Objectives

The report [pdf, 524 KB, German] gives a summarising description of the important possibilities for an extensive precautionary soil protection from a scientific point of view. It is a part of the expert report "Possibilities for an Extensive Soil Protection" of the Scientific Advisory Council for Soil Protection (WBB) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). In addition, the present report proposes some future activities for the translation of extensive soil care into action. These proposals should serve the WWB as a discussion basis for its recommendations for an extensive soil protection.