Farmers and other relevant stakeholders in Germany regard subsoil amelioration as an effective tool to improve the water storage of the subsoil and thereby to better bridge temporary water deficits. In addition, they acknowledge that subsoil amelioration can mitigate heavy rainfall events, as it improves infiltration and percolation of water in the soil. 

Building on this perception, this paper analyses relevant enabling and hindering factors for the implementation of subsoil management in a regional context, focusing on 

• geophysical conditions and
• relevant socio-economic criteria in selected regions of Germany. 

To this end, the authors mapped the potentials and needs for subsoil amelioration in three federal states in Germany and analysed regional farm statistics with a view on relevant socio-economic criteria. Based on the results, they discuss the potential implications of a mismatch of geophysical conditions and socio-economic criteria for the successful implementation of subsoil management in Germany and propose ways to address the identified obstacles in agricultural management and policymaking.