LivingSoiLL: innovative solutions to mitigate soil degradation in vineyards

Abstract

The EU is currently facing soil degradation, which is closely linked to agricultural intensification. A new paradigm for soil monitoring, restoration and protection must therefore involve farmers, scientists, businesses, policymakers and citizens. LivingSoiLL addresses these challenges by establishing five Living Labs in Portugal, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland, focused on permanent crops including vineyards, olive groves, chestnut, hazelnut, and apple orchards. The network comprises at least 50 demonstration sites and 10 lighthouses, with the active participation of more than 2,000 local stakeholders. The Living Labs focus on improving soil health and ecosystem services by co-creating, co-implementing, and co-testing digital and non-digital solutions to reduce erosion, improve soil structure, limit the impacts of intensive fertiliser and pesticide use, increase water storage, enhance soil biodiversity and strengthen overall soil resilience. By promoting locally adapted innovations, disseminating sustainable soil-management practices and improving soil literacy, LivingSoiLL contributes to soil health and environmental resilience. Its real-life approach brings together farmers, advisers and local communities, combining scientific knowledge with farmers’ experience and facilitating the exchange of good practices. The specific challenges identified in the Luso-Galician Living Lab, together with the solutions implemented and currently under assessment, will be presented.

References

1. https://livingsoill.eu/
2. https://zenodo.org/communities/livingsoill/records?q=&l=list&p=1&s=10&sort=newest
3. Carlos, C. LivingSoiLL: Innovative Solutions to Mitigate Soil Degradation in Vineyards. Recording of the presentation delivered at Enoforum Spain 2026, Zaragoza, 20–21 May 2026. Available soon on Infowine Premium: https://vinidea.it/es/brand/infowine/