INTERREG POCTEFA : SOLPYR
Soils of the Pyrenees: Understand Them to Protect Them
The project aims to provide unified information on mountain soils across the Pyrenees, as well as a catalogue of the main soil types and their vulnerability, to define a set of best practices for their protection, and finally to create educational resources to raise awareness among the public and mountain users about soil preservation, involving them through participatory science activities
- Rising temperatures are causing a decrease in snowfall in the Pyrenees and increasing the exposure of soils to mountain activities. .
- The increasing pressure from mountain sports and activities, which can potentially impair soil functions, is becoming a concern.
SOLPYR focuses on the vulnerability of mountain soils to climate change and the impacts of mountain activities.
An initial assessment identifying priority actions has been carried out, highlighting the need to act in three main areas:
- The unification of soil information
- Preventing soil degradation
- Raising awareness among the public and mountain users about soil-related issues
The partnership consists of nine partners, ensuring that all regions of the Pyrenees are represented.
- Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (The coordinator) has extensive experience in POCTEFA projects, both as a coordinator and as a partner. They bring knowledge and expertise in soil information.
- Universidad Pública de Navarra UPNA (Navarre) has extensive experience in outreach and field education. It will be responsible for coordinating the awareness-raising activities. The Government of Navarre carries out soil mapping and information for this region, as well as conservation work.
- FORESPIR, (Haute Garonne – Occitanie) A Franco-Spanish-Andorran group that serves as a support, creation, and facilitation tool for exchange and collaboration in the forestry sector in the Pyrenean region.
- NEIKER (Basque Country) is a public entity with expertise in soil mapping, protection, and dissemination. Its experience in other projects will enable it to coordinate the communication activities..
- Departamento de desarrollo rural y medio ambiente DRYMA (Navarra) is the entity responsible for obtaining and managing information related to soils: describing soil profiles, producing and managing soil maps, as well as maps of agro-ecological classes and irrigation suitability.
- Université de Toulouse, Laboratoire du GET, The multidisciplinary Environmental Science Laboratory has extensive experience in soil studies (degradation, mapping, etc.) and in project management both across Occitanie and internationally
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología IPE-CSIC (Aragon) has extensive experience in soil protection work and carries out several initiatives in this regard.
- Observatoire Pyrénéen du changement climatique - Consorcio de la Comunidad de trabajo de los Pirineos OPCC-CTP (Huesca) is a key body in coordinating entities across the Pyrenees and has extensive experience in European and environmental policies. It acted as a driving force in the creation of ASPir, helping it become an effective cooperation body in the field of soils and climate change in the Pyrenees.
- Fondation Marcel Chevalier FMC (Andorra) has carried out several projects on soil mapping, degradation studies, and awareness-raising.
- Centre d’Interprétation des Sols des Pyrénées (CISP) in Tremp.
- Associació Conca de Tremp Montsec (Direcció científica)
- Federacio d'Entitats Excursionistes de Catalunya (Natura)
- Universitat de Lleida (Escola Tècnica Superior d'enginyeria Agrària)
- Española de la Ciencia del Suelo
- Andorra Recerca i Innovació
- Association pour la création du Parc Naturel Régional Comminges Barousse Pyrénées
- Ihobe Sociedad Pública de Gestión Ambiental de Gobierno Vasco (Área de acción climática)
- Association Française pour l’Etude du Sol
- Syndicat National des Accompagnateurs en Montagne Section Ariège-Pyrénées (ARIEGE)
- Geoparque del Sobrarbe (Patronato del Geoparque)
This project is co-financed to the extent of 65% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Interreg V-A Spain-France-Andorra POCTEFA 2021-2027 programme. The programme aims to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area. Its support focuses on the development of cross-border economic, social, and environmental activities through joint strategies promoting sustainable territorial development.
