Towards Best Soil Management Practices in the Alps

Spatial planning

Sustainable spatial planning includes evaluation of soil ecosystem services.

Case studies on integrating the Soil Ecosystem Services (SES) approach into spatial planning

Spatial planning case studies in Upper Bavaria, Germany and Tyrol Austria are integrating the SES approach and soil functions assessment into the spatial planning sector of municipalities. Planning scenarios for a sustainable land use management (avoiding land take) and soil functions assessments are developed by adapting the SES approach. Results will be transferred into practical regional/local management plans.

Transferring soil case study results to management plans: transnational exchange on best practice solutions

The overarching activity builds on cross-sectoral case studies results and develops best practice solutions. The best practice soil management solutions and results are transferred into local and regional management/land use plans in order to enhance soil protection measures and the capacity of involved cross-sectoral stakeholders.

We are presenting five best practices, gathered during the Links4Soils project, from Austria, Switzerland and Italy:

• Evaluation of Soil Functions in Austria – a way towards better protection and sustainable management of Austrian soils
• Soil protection on construction sites in Switzerland
• Management of vacant spaces in South Tyrol, Italy
• Austria CO2-Recycling; Climate Change Mitigation by means of Soil, Humus and Habitat Management – a Demonstration Project Report
• Database on Land Use Management in Lower Austria