Claudy Jolivet, Soil scientist and research engineer at INRAE, coordinator of the RMQS (testimonial from the dossier “Info&Sols, a partnership-based system for soil knowledge and monitoring in France” – 2024)
“I’m a soil scientist at INRAE and since 2001 I’ve been coordinating the GIS Sol’s soil quality measurement network (RMQS). The aim of this programme is to monitor changes in soil over time by analysing various parameters such as carbon, pH, granulometry, contaminants and biodiversity. In this way, we can calculate carbon stocks, soil fertility, pesticide residue levels and other indicators according to the needs of our partners or public policies. An agronomic survey enables us to link these characteristics with farming practices, and the 2,200 sites are revisited every 15 years. Requests for data are constantly increasing, and it is difficult to meet them in the very short term. In fact, the RMQS is a key programme in supporting agricultural, climate and environmental policies, while at the same time being a precursor in light of the forthcoming new European directive.”
Testimonial from our thematic dossier
Thematic dossier
Info&Sols, a partnership-based system for understanding and monitoring soil in France
At the interface with water, air, rock and living organisms, soils are living, fragile environments that need to be preserved. They are at the heart of crucial global issues for the planet and for our own survival. Yet in Europe, over 60% of soil is degraded. This dossier looks at the establishment of a soil knowledge and monitoring system in France, the public policies that have benefited from these scientific advances and the emerging issues surrounding soil.
