Box 7C Potential and actual soil erosion risk in southern EU countries

The CORINE soil erosion risk maps (Maps 7.2a and b) are the result of an analysis by a geographical information system where soil, slope, climate, vegetation layers and irrigation have been superimposed, enabling the evaluation of the soil erosion risk category. In order to estimate soil erosion risk information on a range of soil properties is required (soil texture, soil depth, stoniness, drainage, organic matter, pH, carbonates and salinity). The main source of information used was the soil map of the European Communities (CEC, 1985). Potential soil erosion risk is defined as the inherent risk of erosion, irrespective of current landuse or vegetation cover. The map of potential erosion risk (Map 7.2a) therefore represents the worst possible situation that might be reached. The area of land in this region with a high erosion risk totals 229 000 km2 (about 10 per cent of the rural land surface). The largest area is found in Spain, mainly in the southern and western parts. In Portugal, areas of high erosion risk cover almost one third of the country. About 20 per cent of the land surface in Greece, 10 per cent in Italy and 1 per cent in France is subject to high erosion risk. The difference between the areas of potential and actual erosion risk (compare Maps 7.2a and b) reflects the protective influence provided by present land-cover, and the dangers inherent in changes in landuse practices.

Source: CORINE, 1992