NEWS: FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEGRADED SOILS IN THE  MEDITERRANEAN REGION  by Prof. Dr. Dusko Mukaetov

 In recent times, an increasing number of areas have been taken up by photovoltaic panels, many of which are being installed on high-quality agricultural land, says Prof. Dr. Duško Mukaetov from the Institute of Agriculture in Skopje, North Macedonia.

 Urbanization is one of the most severe forms of soil degradation. Fertile land is permanently lost because it becomes sealed. Recently, more and more land areas have been occupied by photovoltaic installations, many of which are being placed on productive agricultural land. This reduces the amount of arable land, which is either permanently lost or whose quality and natural productive capacity are significantly impaired, explains Prof. Dr. Duško Mukaetov from the Department of Soil science and Plant nutrition at the Institute of Agriculture in Skopje, part of the “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, North Macedonia.

He is the coordinator of the Macedonian team for the ECOBASE project in which the European partner is the Department of Agriculture at the University of Patras in Greece. The goal of the project is to create a network between universities, management entities, and policymakers in order to develop a strategy with sound, applicable practices that are essential for the preservation and protection of nature, biodiversity, and green infrastructure.

Urbanization, on one hand, is a developmental element of a region that contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of each country individually, but excessive urbanization seals fertile soil and threatens the natural balance. What consequences can excessive urbanization cause?

 – Areas with highly productive soils are quite limited. These areas, mostly located in valleys and along the courses of major rivers, are under constant pressure from human activities in various sectors: mining, transport, energy, agriculture, forestry, and others. Urbanization is one of the most severe forms of soil degradation, where fertile land is permanently lost because it becomes sealed, meaning it is covered with inert material. This is a major problem in our country, and there is no precise data on the extent and intensity of this process of soil degradation.

It is most pronounced in certain areas, especially around large urban centers, where high-quality agricultural land is being taken. Recently, an increasing number of areas have been occupied by photovoltaic installations, many of which are built on productive agricultural land. This reduces the amount of arable land, which is either permanently lost or whose quality and natural productive capacity are severely impaired. In some cases, even though certain soils have low productive capacity, intensive agricultural production still represents natural habitats for rare plant communities—for example, saline soils, which are under strong pressure from conversion for photovoltaic installations.

The European Union’s biodiversity strategy defines five main factors contributing to biodiversity loss. What are these, and how does ECOBASE engage in shaping European policies and international protocols for soil and nature protection?

 – Through the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the European Union identifies five main drivers of biodiversity loss: land and marine area transformation, over exploitation of natural resources, climate change, pollution, and the spread of invasive alien species. These factors, acting individually or in combination, lead to severe ecosystem degradation, a reduction in biodiversity, and the loss of key ecosystem services—such as soil fertility, access to clean water, and climate stability.

In this context, the ECOBASE project (Eco-Friendly Nature-based Solutions to Mitigate Soil Degradation) aims to offer practical and sustainable nature-based solutions, focusing on soil protection and the restoration of degraded soils, particularly in sensitive areas of the Mediterranean region. Soil, as the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems, is at the center of project activities that promote sustainable management and the restoration of its functions.

ECOBASE actively contributes through the implementation of pilot initiatives, the development of innovative soil management models, and the establishment of partnerships between the scientific community, local stakeholders, and institutions. Through this integrated approach, ECOBASE strengthens ecosystem adaptation capacity and promotes a transition toward more resilient, sustainable, and biodiverse agricultural and natural environments.

This project is not purely research-based but already includes concrete activities. What are some of them, and what specifically is being carried out in the territory of North Macedonia?

– The project is still in its initial phase, in which an assessment of needs and gaps to be addressed regarding sustainable soil management is being conducted. So far, a needs analysis has been carried out based on a questionnaire among a group of 23 producers. The results have been obtained, and key conclusions have been drawn, based on which a SWOT analysis has also been prepared. In this phase, the transnational action plan for soil health management as well as the transnational sustainability plan are being finalized.

In the upcoming period, more concrete activities are planned—procurement of 15 automatic stations equipped with sensors to measure certain meteorological and soil parameters, as well as an analysis of current soil properties. A so-called “living laboratory” will also be established, in which all relevant stakeholders are planned to participate to address specific problems related to soil health. Training modules will be developed, with each partner country creating its own module on an issue considered most important for protecting soil health.

In addition, work will be carried out to develop a platform that will network all the automatic stations acquired during the project, as well as existing stations that are willing to join. Based on the collected data, and with the use of modern technologies, it will be possible to develop an early warning system for potential extreme events.

One of the new tools is the Soil Quality Monitoring System (SQM). How will this system function, and how will it benefit farmers and ecologists?

 – Through the project activities, standard methodologies for soil quality control are planned to be established, in line with those already applied in the EU and beyond. In addition, existing soil quality data from each country will be collected, and the soil sensors to be installed will be calibrated. Furthermore, a tool for soil quality monitoring is planned to be developed, which will function as a centralized platform for collecting, storing, and managing soil quality data. This tool will allow project partners and stakeholders to enter and upload data on soil health from various sources, such as field observations, laboratory analyses, and remote sensing technologies, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and easy data analysis.

This tool will be valuable for farmers because it will enable real-time monitoring of soil quality indicators, providing up-to-date information on key parameters such as nutrient levels, organic matter content, pH value, and soil moisture. This will facilitate timely decision-making and early detection of changes in soil health.

 What is the Decision Support System (DSS) and how can it provide timely alerts for risks such as drought, erosion, and other threats to the soil?

– The Decision Support System planned within the ECOBASE project will offer a range of capabilities: it will integrate various data sources, including meteorological data, soil quality data, land-use information, and historical records. Using advanced data processing and analysis techniques, this system will enable forecasting and assessment of potential risks to soil health and agricultural crops, allowing timely alerts and informed decision-making to mitigate threats such as drought, erosion, and other soil-related hazards.

The system will use predictive models and algorithms to anticipate and identify potential threats or adverse conditions related to soil degradation processes, water shortages, or other relevant factors. This will enable stakeholders to take proactive measures and timely interventions to mitigate risks and minimize negative impacts.

Additionally, the system will allow for risk assessment and management through tools and functions that evaluate the vulnerability of soils and production systems to various stresses. It will enable stakeholders to assess potential risks associated with specific land management practices, climate change, extreme weather events, and other factors, supporting the development and implementation of targeted risk management strategies.

 What are the benefits for the Agricultural Institute – Skopje and, more broadly, for Ss. Cyril and Methodius University (UKIM) from participating in such projects?

– The benefits for the Agricultural Institute are multiple. Participation in such projects enables networking for the institution and its experts with other related institutions across the entire Mediterranean region. It also facilitates capacity building, both individual and technical, through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and ideas, as well as mastering new techniques and working methods.

The project will also allow participation in the development of the planned platforms for soil quality management and the decision support system, as well as access to data that is highly valuable for the Institute’s future project and applied activities. In addition, the Agricultural Institute will be recognized on the map of institutions actively involved in finding sustainable solutions for protecting soil health.

Link:

https://umno.mk/prof-d-r-dushko-mukaetov-naogjame-reshenija-za-obnova-na-degradiranite-pochv