The harvest is poorer than the year before. Plants are struggling, and some fields have bare patches. Despite sufficient fertilization and irrigation, soils in some areas appear to be losing their fertility. What farmers in many regions of the world are already experiencing could become increasingly common in Europe in the future: soils are becoming saline. Salts are a natural component of soil, but excessively high concentrations can harm plants and reduce soil productivity. As salt concentrations increase, it becomes increasingly difficult for plants to absorb water and nutrients. As a result, yields decline, soil organisms are weakened, and ecosystems come under pressure. “Soil salinization poses a serious challenge to agricultural productivity and soil health,” says Prof. Nima Shokri from the Institute of Geo-Hydroinformatics at Hamburg University of Technology. “It can have significant impacts on agricultural productivity and the long-term health of soils.”
For a long time, soil salinization was considered primarily a problem affecting arid regions such as North Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. However, studies now show that an increasing number of areas in Europe are also at risk. There are many causes. Longer periods of drought cause water to evaporate while the salts dissolved in it remain in the soil. Intensive irrigation can further exacerbate the process. In coastal regions, seawater can even intrude into groundwater. Heavy rainfall events also alter water regimes and thus the natural balance of soils.
Monitoring Europe’s Soils from Space
The researchers involved in the SaliNova project are taking an unusually comprehensive approach. They aim to collect comparable data across Europe to predict which regions will be particularly affected in the future and which measures can actually help. To do so, they are using satellites to provide large-scale information about soil surfaces and vegetation. These data are complemented by soil samples, water analyses, and measurements taken directly in the field. This will create a Europe-wide picture of soil salinization for the first time. “Today, we can observe environmental processes that were still invisible just a few years ago,” explains Shokri. “The combination of Earth observation, sensor technology, AI, and data analysis opens up entirely new possibilities.” The data collected are fed into models that can not only describe current conditions but also simulate future developments. This makes it possible to identify areas at risk before damage becomes visible.
From Research to Practice
However, the Horizon Europe project SaliNova does not intend to stop at scientific findings. At six demonstration sites, sustainable, nature-based solutions such as optimized drainage, organic soil amendments, and salt-tolerant plants are being developed and tested. Through close cooperation with EU institutions and more than 400 stakeholders, SaliNova supports the implementation of mitigation measures and contributes directly to the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” and the EU Soil Monitoring Law.
The researchers are examining not only ecological effects but also economic and societal impacts. After all, new methods must not only work but also be practical for farmers. The results will be incorporated into digital decision-support tools. Farmers, public authorities, and policymakers will be able to use them to identify risks at an early stage and select appropriate measures, thereby helping to make Europe’s soils more resilient to the causes and impacts of soil salinization.
About SaliNova
SaliNova is funded with €5.9 million through the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Hamburg University of Technology, which coordinates the project, receives just under €1.2 million of this funding. The project is led by Prof. Nima Shokri from the Institute of Geo-Hydroinformatics. The consortium comprises 19 partner organizations from 11 countries, including research institutions and the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. The project started on July 1, 2026, and will run for 48 months.
Further Information: Mission Soil Platform
