Feasibility of Satellite Technology for Soil Health Monitoring in Europe

A report from the PREPSOIL project examines the technical feasibility of using satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) to estimate soil health indicators. The study, authored by researchers from INRAE, France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, provides an in-depth review of current scientific knowledge, available technological resources, and the barriers preventing wider adoption of Earth Observations for soil monitoring.

The report, titled Technical Feasibility in Using CLMS Satellite-Based EO to Estimate Soil Health Indicators, underscores the critical role of soil health in achieving sustainability goals. It highlights the potential of Earth Observation technologies thanks to different vectors (satellite, airborne sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), different sensors (radar, passive microwave, multispectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR, gamma-ray spectrometry) and a wide range of data processing, including machine learning and deep learning to track soil degradation, erosion, and organic carbon levels across European landscapes.

Key Findings and Challenges

The study finds that Earth Observation technologies offer significant potential for soil health assessment, particularly by detecting surface characteristics, vegetation cover, and land-use changes. However, it also identifies several challenges that limit their effectiveness. One major limitation is the difficulty in measuring subsurface soil properties, which remains a key obstacle for comprehensive soil monitoring. Additionally, cloud cover can interfere with satellite data collection, making it difficult to obtain consistent observations over time.

Although European services like the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS) provide valuable datasets, integrating this information with national soil monitoring efforts is still a challenge. The report also highlights a skills gap among end-users, such as policymakers and farmers, who often lack the technical expertise needed to interpret and apply Earth Observation data effectively. Without better training and awareness, the full benefits of satellite-based soil monitoring may not be realized.

Recommendations for Wider Adoption

To overcome these challenges, the report recommends increasing training and awareness among policymakers and land managers, ensuring they can effectively use Earth Observation data for decision-making. It also calls for further research to address technical limitations, particularly by harmonizing satellite observations with ground-based soil measurements. Strengthening collaboration between scientific communities and public authorities is seen as essential for supporting evidence-based soil policies and fostering the development of innovative monitoring solutions.

With soil degradation posing a major threat to European agriculture and ecosystems, the report emphasizes the urgency of leveraging cutting-edge satellite technology to monitor and manage soil health more effectively. The findings contribute to the EU’s Soil Deal for Europe initiative, which aims to ensure that 75% of soils are healthy by 2030.

The full report is publicly available at Zenodo and serves as a crucial step in advancing Europe’s soil monitoring capabilities through innovative Earth Observation solutions.