INTERREG POCTEFA : SOLPYR

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Soils of the Pyrenees: Understand Them to Protect Them

Published on September 30, 2025 – Updated on October 13, 2025

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

The consequences of climate change directly affect soil health, particularly in mountain areas.

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.

Indeed, mountain soils are generally poorly developed and highly vulnerable, facing issues such as erosion, compaction, and loss of organic carbon, among others.

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 project proposes using hiking trails and cycling routes both as study sites and as a means to engage users in soil protection. SOLPYR is based on the idea that a better understanding of soils and the associated issues can foster the awareness among mountain users and management organisations necessary for the protection and conservation of this vital resource in the Pyrenees.

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.

Here is the list of associated partners:

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.

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