Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the July newsletter of the EGU Soil System Sciences Division! This month, we invite you to learn more about the Mission Soil Investment Forum 2026, have a look at the evaluation of the Nitrates Directive, read a new SOIL paper, and learn more about the SSS Division through our Linkedin and Bluesky pages. Moreover, we also have some reminders to attend the Global Symposium on Soil Compaction and join the EGU EDI Committee.

Heike Knicker, Division President

Beatrice Giannetta, Perrine Florent, ECS Reps

Diana Vieira, Fatima Meite

The ECS Team

What recently happened on Soil System Sciences?

On 30 June was held in Brussels (Belgium) and online the Mission Soil Investment Forum 2026, a 1st edition launched by the European Commission to support the Horizon Europe Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”. The Forum gathered investors, policymakers, financial institutions, researchers, and key stakeholders to discuss and promote soil health investment opportunities, co-design innovative investment mechanisms, and build strategic partnerships to accelerate the transition to healthy soils. A recording of this unique event is available online!

Get Information Here

On 14 July, the European Commission published the 1st comprehensive evaluation of the Nitrates Directive adopted in 1991. It presents how this directive remains relevant in addressing agricultural nitrate pollution and its impacts on water quality and ecosystems, and identifies opportunities to simplify its implementation, reduce administrative burden and improve both farmers and environment outcomes. This EC evaluation is accompanied by the latest country reports for the 2020–2023 period, including recommendations to support more effective action where pressures remain highest.

Learn More Here

Discover: “Non-inversion tillage benefits soil N retention during bare soil period coinciding with wet spell” by Annelie Holzkämper, Ernst Spiess, Clay Humphrys, Karin Meier-Zimmermann, Olivier Heller, Thomas Keller, and Volker Prasuhn. They studied whether reduced soil disturbance can lower nitrate losses from farmland in Switzerland and compared chisel ploughing with conventional ploughing. Their results suggest that reduced soil management could help protect water quality under future climate conditions with wetter winter and spring conditions. 

Read The Full Article

In addition, you can now read interesting updates of the Soil System Sciences Division and related topics on LinkedIn and Bluesky pages.

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Upcoming Events and Deadlines  

On 21 to 23 September 2026 will be held the free of charge Global Symposium on Soil Compaction in Aarhus (Denmark) and online. This symposium wishes to advance global understanding, research collaboration, and policy development around soil compaction, its impacts, assessment and mitigation. It will be divided into five main themes including Effects on cropland and pastureland sustainable production and ecosystem functioning, and Barriers and solutions to the adoption of soil compaction prevention and mitigation measures.

Register Here

The EGU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is seeking new volunteer members who will actively contribute to the implementation and promotion of EDI initiatives within EGU, in 2-year positions possibly renewable. Applicants will be evaluated according to the Committee needs, with focus on recruiting at least one Early Career Scientist (ECS), a volunteer to take on the role of EDI Committee Secretary, and another one with experience organizing webinars and short courses. Send in your applications by 10 August 2026.

Apply Here