Abstract
ENGLISH VERSION: pgs. 99-190 (click on: WENR-rapport at the end of the Table of Contents)
DUTCH VERSION: pgs. 1-98.
Summary:
Soils are a crucial element in the functioning of ecosystems. Much of what is known about soils comes from research on agricultural soils, but soils are also important in urban areas. Urban soils are a medium for plant growth, support local climate regulation and act as a carrier for above- and below-ground infrastructure. Despite this, very little research has been done on understanding and modelling the functioning of urban soils. In this report, we lay the foundation for a soil health index (BGI) for urban areas, through a focus on the municipality of Amsterdam. We develop the index to provide information to soil users while providing structure for soil monitoring. This helps to fill gaps in knowledge about urban soils and supports knowledge development.
This first version of the urban soil health index (BGI) looked at six forms of urban soil use: green event sites, urban parks, food gardens, gardens without food, neighbourhood green spaces and sealed soils. Relevant indicators were selected for each of these six soil uses. Based on these, soil health is assessed with professional laboratory tests or, for gardens, with the simplified DIY basic index. Based on the corresponding assessment scores, it can be decided whether soil health is adequate for the site-specific use or measures can be taken to improve soil health.
DUTCH VERSION: pgs. 1-98.
Summary:
Soils are a crucial element in the functioning of ecosystems. Much of what is known about soils comes from research on agricultural soils, but soils are also important in urban areas. Urban soils are a medium for plant growth, support local climate regulation and act as a carrier for above- and below-ground infrastructure. Despite this, very little research has been done on understanding and modelling the functioning of urban soils. In this report, we lay the foundation for a soil health index (BGI) for urban areas, through a focus on the municipality of Amsterdam. We develop the index to provide information to soil users while providing structure for soil monitoring. This helps to fill gaps in knowledge about urban soils and supports knowledge development.
This first version of the urban soil health index (BGI) looked at six forms of urban soil use: green event sites, urban parks, food gardens, gardens without food, neighbourhood green spaces and sealed soils. Relevant indicators were selected for each of these six soil uses. Based on these, soil health is assessed with professional laboratory tests or, for gardens, with the simplified DIY basic index. Based on the corresponding assessment scores, it can be decided whether soil health is adequate for the site-specific use or measures can be taken to improve soil health.
| Translated title of the contribution | The Amsterdam Soil Health Index: Measuring, assessing and improving urban soil health |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Place of Publication | Wageningen |
| Publisher | Wageningen Environmental Research |
| Number of pages | 190 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2025 |
Publication series
| Name | Rapport / Wageningen Environmental Research |
|---|---|
| No. | 3432 |
