Report comparing LUCAS sampling and preparation procedures with those implemented in BENCHMARKS and EJP

Task 4.2 Characterisation and classification of the Living Labs and regions Lead: AGES - Partners: WU, CF, CNR, CSIC, CAS, FiBL, IAP, INRAE, NRIF, NINA, UNINA, ZALF, LUKEThe characterisation of the Living Labs is essential to support the systematic sampling to be developed in task WP4.4 and to allow proper replication of the classifying typologies. In this task, we will develop a detailed overview of the different land use sub-categories and practices applied in all 24 Living Labs. We will design a sampling strategy to ensure harmonisation of data collection across all Living Labs. Collected data and land management information from task 2.1 will be collated and classified according to the data structure developed in tasks WP3.2 and WP3.3. We will use the data to classify how informative the site is according to the three spatial scales (local, landscape and regional), this will be based on land use and cover, but also considering the different pedoclimatic factors and topography, including landscape heterogeneity. In local sites with available land management plans we will also collect management information as co-variate data. Sampling procedures will be aligned with those of other soil survey projects such as LUCAS (WP6.2) and EJP SOIL to make data comparable and to feed future soil monitoring systems. Sampling recommendations will be applied in WP4.3.