Harmonization of risk assessment methods of soil erosion by water in the European Union

Abstract

In order to effectively formulate mitigation strategies and implement conservation measurements to counteract soil erosion, it is essential to objectively identify and quantify areas at risk. With the adoption of the European Union (EU) Thematic Strategy for soil protection, a first step is made towards adequate measures to combat soil erosion and other soil degradation processes. However, to provide an effective tool at European level, risk assessment methodologies should be harmonized (i.e. similar although adapted to local circumstances), providing criteria and standardized definitions of risk areas within the EU. This chapter provides an overview, evaluation and assessment of risk assessment methods of water erosion currently existing and applied within the EU, in the framework of the EU-funded RAMSOIL project (www.ramsoi1.eu). Only methods with an official status andlor those that are widely scientifically acknowledged were considered and included in this review. Information on RAMs for soil erosion was identified through both questionnaires and scientific literature review. Questionnaires were sent to scientists and policy makers in EU Member States and Nonvay. The methods were compared, based on five indicators such as scale, transparency, complexity, cost efficiency and ambiguousness, after which a final statement is made about their soundness, flexibility and acceptability, reflecting the potentials for harmonization.