Within the scope of SOLO’s international event “Soil Weeks” a scientific symposium titled 'Problems with Soil Erosion and Pollution in Bulgaria' was held on 3 December 2024 at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). The event was organised by SOLO’s partner Pensoft Publishers, in partnership with the National Museum of Natural History, and welcomed 20 participants from various institutions, including the Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies, and Plant Protection ‘Nikola Pushkarov’ and the National Association of Grain Producers. 

The “Soils for Europe” project was presented, after which 4 lectures were held on the following topics: 

• "Cost-Benefit Analysis of Soil Restoration Strategies per TUdi Farm Type – the Bulgarian Case."

• ‘Carbon in Soil.'

• 'Assessment of Physical Indicators for the Quality of Chernozem Soils in Bulgaria Under Different Land Use Practices.'

• ‘Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.’

Key takeaways from the lectures emphasised the importance of making soil research more accessible to farmers, both nationally and globally. The growing rise in temperatures was highlighted as a significant threat to soils, as droughts can lead to soil degradation, reduced fertility, and increased vulnerability to erosion. Overall, three key practices for soil protection were highlighted: reduced tillage, the integration of cover crops, and enhanced crop rotation.

The discussion portion of the event touched on topics such as buffer strips, which reduce soil erosion by preventing soil from washing away during heavy rainfall, and shelterbelts, which protect soil from wind erosion.

A major focus was identifying the knowledge gaps regarding soil pollution and erosion in Bulgaria. It was agreed that creating a national information bank would be vital for systematising information and research.

Regarding soil monitoring and pollution, two necessary steps were agreed upon: assessing the extent of old pollution and conducting a new analysis of soil threats and their territorial impact.