Understanding and Preserving Soils: The Experience of the Loire Valley and Beaujolais Living Lab
Faced with soil degradation, a major challenge, it has become essential to rethink and adapt agricultural practices to preserve this vital resource.
In France, the LivingSoiLL Living Lab (LL) focuses on two regions: Beaujolais and Loire Valley. Its goal is to foster reflection and collective engagement on soil health challenges in vineyards. Key threats were identified through workshops in November 2024, followed by the selection of six experimental sites (EXPS). Four additional sites are expected to be established in autumn via an Open Call.
Analyzing soil-related issues is complex, as soil health depends on multiple interconnected factors, including texture, structure, chemical and organic composition, biological activity, management history, farming practices, climate, and topography. Each one of these factors influences soil health and fertility, requiring a precise, tailored analytical approach.
Additionally, each region presents specific threats, as identified by the LL actors:
- Beaujolais: erosion, soil fertility, and biodiversity.
- Loire Valley: soil life, structure, and organic matter content.
To address these challenges, several initiatives have been implemented, including exchange groups bringing together farmers, advisors, researchers, and industry professionals. These interactions take place through co-creation workshops—participatory sessions promoting knowledge-sharing, experience exchange, and trust-based collaboration. In parallel, field diagnostics, soil sampling and laboratory analysis campaigns will be conducted to confirm soil health threats identified at EXPS.
This combined approach of field observation and co-construction refines diagnostics and helps develop tailored improvement strategies adapted to each site and territory. Through this collaborative territorial dialogue, the Loire Valley and Beaujolais LL actively contributes to a deeper understanding of soil health challenges and the implementation of realistic, sustainable solutions.
Healthy Soil to Permanent Crops Living Labs
Ongoing | 2024-2028
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Portugal, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Belgium