Soils are central to terrestrial ecosystem functioning, supporting food production, biodiversity, water regulation, nutrient cycling, and climate resilience. They are also crucial for the health of connected freshwater and saline ecosystems. However, soils face multiple, compounding threats. These include increasing exposure to established and emerging contaminants, such as microplastics, alongside severe degradation from erosion, soil sealing, nutrient depletion, salinisation, biodiversity loss and climate-driven disturbances.
Addressing these challenges requires moving beyond linear approaches to soil management towards soil circularity. This concept focuses on restoring and reintegrating soil resources, nutrients, organic matter and biological functions into productive and natural systems.
This session addresses how frontiers in soil science and environmental technologies can support both the restoration of degraded soils and the prevention of further degradation. We specifically welcome research connecting soil processes with ecosystem interactions, circular resource use, and long-term resilience. A key focus is understanding how restoration and circular soil-management practices simultaneously impact multiple soil functions with different results and consequences for soil ecosystem services.
Contributions are encouraged on the co-benefits of nature-based solutions and regenerative approaches that enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, nutrient availability, soil structure, biodiversity, water quality, crop productivity and ecosystem restoration. Furthermore, we welcome studies utilizing advanced monitoring, sensing, and predictive modelling to identify early signs of soil degradation and support preventive management. Emerging tools, such as proximal and remote sensing, spectroscopy, soil biodiversity indicators, machine learning, digital soil mapping, process-based modelling and integrated monitoring platforms are vital for shifting soil management from reactive remediation to proactive, adaptive intervention.


Dr. Saia research is funded by SHARInG-MeD (GA n 2211, PRIMA)
Dr. Marazuela research is funded by PACTOSAL (PID2024-160795OA-I00)
Dr. Lizaga research is funded by UPSTREAM (PID2024-162386OA-I00)