Joëlle Sauter, Engineer in charge of the Soil and Fertility team at the Grand Est Chamber of Agriculture, Co-leader of the “Soil and Territories” RMT (testimonial from the “Info&Sols, a partnership-based system for soil knowledge and monitoring in France” dossier – 2024)
“The Chambers of Agriculture in Alsace and Lorraine have been involved in the Inventaire, Gestion et Conservation des Sols (IGCS) programme of the GIS Sol since the 1990s. I joined the Grand Est Regional Chamber of Agriculture in 2018, where I manage the soil databases. To study a soil, our agronomists and soil scientists start by describing the site and geolocating it. Auger holes or soil pits are then drilled to determine the nature of the soil and its properties by horizon. These observations are supplemented by soil sample analyses. The data collected is used for a number of purposes, including assessing the agronomic potential of soils, qualifying habitats for biodiversity and estimating the risk of mudflows. I also run the ‘Soil and Territories’ joint technology network. The purpose of the RMT is to promote the GIS Sol databases to local and regional players and to provide feedback regarding their needs. I’ve noticed a real awareness of the importance of soils and an increase in the need for information, which shows that our work is bearing fruit.”
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. However, over 60% of Europe’s 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.
