Soil actually holds more carbon than the atmosphere and all the world's plants put together. However, instead of safely trapping this carbon, European soils are currently losing it and releasing greenhouse gases into the air. This loss happens mostly when wet peatlands are drained and fields are farmed too intensively.

To meet climate targets, the European Union is working through its Mission Soil to stop these losses and help the ground absorb more carbon. Keeping carbon in the soil is vital because it acts as a natural shield, making the land healthier, more resilient to extreme weather, and much better for growing food.

The SOLO project has presented its findings on the knowledge gaps surrounding soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. The dedicated Think Tank has identified and ranked the top ten most critical knowledge gaps that are affecting SOCs. These priorities were gathered through stakeholder feedback and checked across several events, revealing new perspectives on land use impacts, policy influences, and research and methodological needs.

Check out the full report here: https://journal.soils4europe.eu/article/149027/