SOLPYR II | icgc
SOLPYR II

SOLPYR II

The soils of the Pyrenees: a heritage to be preserved through responsible management

The soils of the Pyrenees constitute an ecosystem that is particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change and changes in land use. The SOLPYR II project gives continuity to the SOLPYR project to continue deepening the knowledge, protection and sustainable management of mountain soils in the Pyrenees, consolidating the actions promoted by the Pyrenean Soils Alliance (ASPir).

Based on the results obtained during the first project, SOLPYR II will work to improve knowledge about soil health, assess its vulnerability to the main threats, strengthen social awareness and deploy governance mechanisms that allow the implementation of a Pyrenean soil conservation strategy.

Specific objectives

  • To increase the knowledge and availability of harmonised information on the soils of the Pyrenees.
  • Analyse the health and vulnerability of soils to different agricultural, livestock and forestry practices.
  • To develop tools and informative materials to raise awareness among the population about the importance of soils.
  • To promote governance actions that facilitate the implementation of the Pyrenean Soils Strategy.

 

The consortium

The project is coordinated by the Université de Toulouse and has the participation of research entities, public administrations and specialized organizations from Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre, the Basque Country, France and Andorra.

Project partners

  • Université de Toulouse (coordinador)
  • NEIKER
  • Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA)
  • Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC)
  • Comunitat de Treball dels Pirineus (CTP)
  • FORESPIR
  • Gobierno de Navarra
  • Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour
  • Pyrénées Vivantes
  • Fundació Marcel Chevalier

The ICGC actively participates in management, communication, soil information, awareness and governance actions. In addition, it leads the action dedicated to the information of the soils of the Pyrenees.

 

SOLPYR II at a glance

  • Title: SOLPYR II. Soils of the Pyrenees: a heritage to be preserved through responsible management
  • Total budget: €1,852,347.75
  • ICGC budget: €167,073.66
  • ICGC Funding (ERDF): €108,597.88
  • Start date: October 1, 2026
  • Expected end date: May 31, 2029
  • Duration: 32 months
  • Coordination: Université de Toulouse
  • Consortium: 10 partners from France, Spain and Andorra
  • Web: https://solpyr.eu/
  • Programme: Interreg POCTEFA 2021-2027
SOLPYR II project logo.

Visual identity of the SOLPYR II project focused on the conservation and sustainable management of Pyrenean soils.

 

Expected results

SOLPYR II will contribute to improving the protection and conservation of soils in the Pyrenees by expanding the available information, assessing their health and vulnerability, and promoting awareness-raising and governance tools.

The main expected results are:

  • Expansion and improvement of cartographic and soil information on Pyrenean soils.
  • Definition of indicators and methodologies to monitor soil health.
  • Studies on the impact of agricultural, livestock and forestry practices on soil degradation.
  • Preparation of educational resources and informative materials aimed at different audiences.
  • Creation of a travelling exhibition on the soils of the Pyrenees.
  • Development of governance mechanisms to implement the Pyrenean Soils Strategy.

 

Participation of the ICGC

The ICGC leads the action dedicated to soil information and participates in most of the project's activities. Among the main actions are:

  • Improvement of soil mapping on a Pyrenean scale.
  • Elaboration of a detailed soil mapping at a scale of 1:25,000 in a pilot area of La Cerdanya.
  • Definition of methodologies to assess soil health.
  • Participation in the development of informative materials and educational resources.
  • Collaboration in the travelling exhibition on the soils of the Pyrenees.
  • Active participation in ASPir and cross-border governance activities.

 

Structure of the project

The actions of SOLPYR II are organized into four main technical areas:

  • Soil information: increase in knowledge and harmonization of soil data.
  • Vulnerability: analysis of impacts on soils in pilot areas.
  • Dissemination: development of educational materials and awareness-raising actions.
  • Governance: deployment of the necessary mechanisms to implement the Pyrenean Soils Strategy.
Graphic representation of the SOLPYR II work areas.

Diagram showing the information, vulnerability, outreach and governance areas that structure the project.

 

Funded by

Interreg POCTEFA and European Union logos.
The SOLPYR II project is 65% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027). The programme aims to strengthen the economic, social and environmental integration of the cross-border space between Spain, France and Andorra.