When soil becomes sealed

You've probably noticed sealed surfaces in your surroundings — parking lots, buildings, cycle paths, tennis courts. But have you ever thought about what the soil beneath these surfaces looks like?

See an example: 3D soil profile under a sealed surface in Austria.

Soil sealing is recognised as one of the major soil threats in Europe. The ongoing trend of increasing urbanisation is a key driver, resulting in land take and the artificial sealing of soils at the expense of functional soils that provide essential ecosystem services.