Glossary
Sharing knowledge and removing barriers is crucial for the success of the Soil Health BENCHMARKS project. Therefore, within this glossary, we aim to collect and identify project relevant terminology and accepted scientific definitions on ecosystem services, soil functions, soil indicators, and soil health from previous and existing EU projects, national initiatives and the scientific literature.
Language barriers are identified and some of the definitions are translated into accessible and understandable language for stakeholders.
The glossary has a flexible structure that allows updates and feedback throughout the project and beyond. With this aim, feedback is collected after the definition of every single word, from anyone that would like to contribute to enhance or work.
Indicator
Soil health index
Soil descriptor
Soil Health Indicators
Presence of pollutants, excess nutrients and salts:
Pollutant
Excess nutrients
Salt-affected soil
Soil organic carbon
Soil organic carbon stock
Soil structure including soil bulk density and absence of soil sealing and erosion:
Soil structure
Bulk density
Soil sealing
Soil erosion
Soil biodiversity
Biodiversity
Soil nutrients
pH
Vegetation cover
Landscape heterogeneity
Forest cover