Transformative journeys start with knowing our soils
Esférico MRV Systems is carrying out an ambitious soil sampling campaign in the Altiplano Estepario region of Southern Spain, working hand in hand with local samplers to map soil health issues and co-design practical solutions.
17/9/2023Murcia,España
The first step to embark in a journey of systemic transformation of soil management is to recognise and understand the problem in all its complexity. One of its most important facets is arguably the state of the soil itself, knowledge needed to identify the best practices and solutions and to assess their impact through time. As a part of the EU-funded GOV4ALL project, that aims to create rural regeneration hubs for tackling soil health challenges in the Mediterranean region, at Esférico MRV Systems we are currently carrying out an ambitious soil sampling campaign in the large area of the Altiplano Estepario in Southern Spain, where we have engaged local samplers to work within their own regions.
The campaign aims to collect more than 1,200 soil samples across 15,000 agricultural hectares of arable lands, fruit trees, vineyards and olive groves, spread across a territory spanning over one million hectares of stony soils in an arid region characterized by years of soil degradation. Covering the Noroeste de Murcia, Los Vélez, Huéscar, Alto Almanzora, Altiplano de Granada, and Guadix regions, this campaign aims to delve deep into the health of our soils to develop tailored sustainable practices, rooted in solid knowledge and hands-on experience on the ground.
To cover this vast expanse of agricultural fields, we have engaged local samplers who, after months of planning and training, have explored every corner of their territories, collecting hundreds of soil samples. The collected materials, which reveal a fascinating diversity of textures and colours, will be subjected to laboratory analysis to determine a series of physical and physicochemical parameters, such as soil salinity and density, and soil organic carbon. In addition, various environmental aspects will be assessed, including topography, soil erosion, the diversity of soil nematode communities and earthworms, and vegetation indices.
David López García, our first collaborator in the soil sampling campaign, is an expert in biodiversity management, environmental consulting, and scientific research. With his extensive experience in flora monitoring, ecological restoration, and conservation projects, he immediately grasped not only the procedural details of the sampling protocol but also its broader significance. His commitment aligns with the vision and objectives of the GOV4ALL project, recognising the value of obtaining accurate soil health data to build long-term sustainable regenerative systems and empowering rural communities. In his own words, “This work has been a physical and structural reconnection with the land I feel I belong to, broadening my perspective”
In addition to the Altiplano Estepario, the GOV4ALL project covers various regions across the Mediterranean, from the islands of Menorca in Spain and Lesvos in Greece to the Val de Drôme in southern France and the Thyrea territory in the Peloponnese. Among these areas, Esférico MRV Systems will lead the sampling campaign in Menorca, set to begin next May. Mapping soil health issues at the regional level will enable a robust evaluation of current soil conditions, the identification of potential solutions, and the monitoring of progress on implemented measures—an essential step on our path towards regenerating rural areas.
