A report from the Sino - EU Panel on Land and Soil Threats to the Soil Resource Base of Food Security in China and Europe

To secure adequate food supply is the major challenge for humanity in the 21st century. Growing world population andits urbanization put pressure on this basic need, which is further threatened by the constant loss of fertile land. Theassessment of sustainability of food supply under increasing pressure on land resources has been selected as one of themost important priority topics of the activities of Sino-EU Panel on Land and Soil (SEPLS).The Panel has performed a number of related researches and discussed the results on a scientific seminar in January2012 in Nanjing, China. This report is an output of this seminar with a summary of the structured discussions on thebelow issues.1. Urban and peri-urban development (soil sealing and loss of land functions)Urbanization and the linked spread of infrastructural development mean sealing of soil surfaces. Soil sealing is the mostrapidly growing limitation for soil functions (including biomass production function) both in China and Europe. Soilsealing in China has been taking dramatic degree in the last two decades and the process is estimated to continue inthe coming period as well. While urban and peri-urban development is looked as a necessity for social development, itsnegative effect on natural resources are inevitable.2. Land degradationDespite the widely recognized importance of land degradation in the unsustainability of economic development andimplementation of various policies to halt degradation (e.g. green for grain programme in China; cross-compliancemeasures in the EU), loss of land productivity by degradation is an ongoing process both in China and the EU. Majorforms of soil degradation (erosion, desertification, landslides etc.) are similar in both regions. Assessment of the causesand consequences of soil degradation processes in relation to policy actions is highlighted among the priorities of theSEPLS.3. Intensive agriculture and multi-function management of land resourcesIntensification and extensification in agriculture can be considered as the main changes in land use in rural areas in bothEU and China. While agricultural intensification is one of the greatest threats to the soil and environment and thenhampers the sustainable development of agriculture and food security. To meet this challenge, sustainablemanagement of multi-functionality of land resources is undoubtedly an effective strategy, in which the EU has a goodexpertise. Bilateral exchange of the experience and knowledge benefits the sustainable management of land resources.