Panel Study on Soil Perspectives
How will the condition of soils in Germany develop in the future? This survey asks experts for their subjective assessments. The results will be used to identify and contextualise trends and developments that have a significant impact on soil health.
Contact
Felicitas Sommer
Objective / Vision
A pilot study to develop an early indicator that identifies and contextualises expert assessments of the impact of trends and developments on soil health in Germany over the next ten years.
Method
- A survey of 1,500 stakeholders in Germany on soil health ten years ago, today and ten years from now. Participants are selected to represent as broad a range as possible of regions, soil functions and professional backgrounds.
- The survey asks participants to assess the development of seven different soil functions, their links to ecosystem services, as well as the significance of economic, technological and political framework conditions, drivers and countermeasures.
Who is the study aimed at?
Policymakers & the public:
A highly aggregated indicator provides orientation and helps make developments in soil health more visible.
Expert groups:
Mapping areas of agreement and divergence in forecasts makes it possible to identify points of consensus and disagreement and explore the reasons behind differing assessments.
How is Forum Nantesbuch involved?
Together with members of its network, Forum Nantesbuch helped further develop the survey by incorporating as many different perspectives and backgrounds as possible and carefully refining its language. The network also collaborated on identifying relevant stakeholders and experts to participate in the study.
Further Information
The project is funded by the LMU Sustainability Fund. The project team includes Dr Lara Kolbike, Rebekka Schade, Sebastian Riznik and Dr Caro Haensch.
Project Timeline
The pilot survey is currently being implemented and will run until October 2026. Following the pilot phase, the survey may be established as a long-term study conducted every two years.