Protecting soil, sustaining life: the commitment of the LIFE SOS Prodehesa-Montado project
7 July, International Soil Conservation Day, reminds us that soil health is essential for life on Earth. This natural resource is the basis of food production, climate regulation, biodiversity and the fight against desertification.
At a time of climate crisis, loss of vegetation cover and intensive land use, soil degradation is advancing silently but alarmingly: according to the FAO, more than 33% of the planet’s soils are degraded. Protecting them is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 15.
? Conserving soil means conserving life.
Crop rotation, well-managed extensive livestock farming, reforestation with native species and sustainable land-use planning are some of the tools available.
In this context, the European project LIFE SOS Prodehesa-Montado (2023–2026), co-funded by the European Union, is actively working to conserve and enhance the dehesa-montado system, a unique agroforestry ecosystem in south-western Europe that is essential for soil health and Mediterranean biodiversity.
The project promotes:
- Soil restoration through good agricultural and livestock practices.
- Soil biodiversity as an indicator of quality.
- The economic sustainability of dehesa and montado production models.
- The creation of tools to support decision-making and public policies.
? On 7 July, we reaffirm our commitment to caring for the soil as the basis for a resilient and sustainable future for rural communities and the environment.
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