Tools

The AI4SoilHealth Toolbox combines field methods, laboratory approaches, digital tools, and supporting services for soil health assessment and monitoring.

Each toolbox component supports the assessment of one or more soil health descriptors, covering the physical, chemical, and biological dimensions of soil health. Some methods are designed for rapid field screening, others provide deeper laboratory analysis, and digital services help users record, visualise, compare, and communicate soil health information.

Digital tools and services

AI4SoilHealth app AI4SoilHealth App Main user-facing environment for recording, viewing, and interacting with soil health information.

Soil Health Data Cube Soil Health Data Cube Supporting digital service that provides contextual maps, spatial layers, and background information for soil health monitoring.

Field tools and rapid assessment methods

Soil spectroscopy Soil Spectroscopy Rapid, non-destructive assessment method for screening key soil physicochemical properties in support of soil health monitoring.

Infiltration test Infiltration Rate Field method used to assess water entry, infiltration behaviour, and related physical soil functioning.

Salinity, pH and EC methods Salinity / pH / EC Methods Rapid screening methods for salinity, acidity, and related chemical soil conditions.

Macrofauna observation Macrofauna Observation Observation-based assessment of earthworms and other visible soil fauna as indicators of soil biological condition.

Laboratory and detailed assessment methods

Standard laboratory analysis Standard Soil Laboratory Analysis Reference measurements for key soil physicochemical properties and supporting soil health descriptors.

Bulk density Bulk Density Sampling Sampling approach supporting the assessment of structure, compaction, and stock-related interpretation.

SEAR or Digit Soil Bio-Enzymatic Activity Measurement of extracellular enzyme activity linked to soil biological functioning and nutrient cycling.

MicroBIOMETER MicroBIOMETER Kit-based method for estimating microbial biomass and fungal/bacterial balance.

eDNA or metabarcoding eDNA / Metabarcoding DNA-based workflow for soil biodiversity and biological community assessment.

Start with the soil health descriptor or monitoring need, then identify the toolbox components that best match the assessment task.

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UK Research and Innovation

This work has received funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee [grant numbers 10053484, 1005216, 1006329].

Funded by the European Union

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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