A prototype framework for assessing risks to soil functions

It has been widely recognised at national, European and international levels that soil protection is important within the concept of sustainable development. Soils can be considered to perform a broad range of functions, many of which are vital to society and its environment. There are many pressures and threats upon soils including erosion, decreasing levels of organic matter, point and diffuse contamination, sealing, compaction and declining bio-diversity. In the United Kingdom, the Environment Agency has a role in protecting soils. In support of this role, a flexible risk based method for the prioritisation of environmental issues related to soils has been developed. This paper describes the method and framework developed and in so doing it highlights many of the issues and difficulties surrounding the environmental assessment and knowledge of soils.