Projects

SOILSCAPE & Soil Orchestra – Public Awareness and Soil Literacy Activities

Project: SOILSCAPE (Horizon Europe – Mission Soil) / Bulgarian Soil Orchestra

National Soil Survey actively participates in the European SOILSCAPE project and the Bulgarian Soil Orchestra, contributing scientific expertise to raise public awareness about the vital importance of soil for life, food security, biodiversity and climate.

Our activities include:

• Field surveys and soil sampling to support educational and artistic initiatives
• Organisation of and participation in soil exhibitions
• Supporting of lectures aimed at the general public and non-soil experts
• Creation of a soil photo map as a visual and educational tool

Through these activities we help bridge the gap between soil science and society, making the hidden world of soils more visible, understandable and valued by citizens, artists, educators and decision-makers.

Project website:
https://soilscape.eu
https://soilscape.eu/soilscape-orchestras/

Development of the State Soil Monitoring Network

Client: Ministry of Environment and Water / Executive Environment

National Soil Survey led the fieldwork, spatial inventory and georeferenced sampling for the expansion of Bulgaria’s State Soil Monitoring Network. The work focused on identifying and mapping contaminated sites originating from agricultural chemicals, petroleum spills, industrial emissions, post-industrial and mining areas, and former military sites.

Using advanced GIS modelling and 3D spatial analysis, we selected representative and logistically feasible sampling locations that fully comply with national and EU environmental standards. The resulting fully georeferenced monitoring network supports long-term tracking of soil contamination, environmental performance reporting, and evidence-based soil protection measures.

Official announcement of the new (third-level) soil monitoring system – Ministry of Environment and Water:
https://www.moew.government.bg/en/a-new-system-for-soil-monitoring-is-introduced-local-pollution-to-be-monitored-at-97-sites/ Executive Environment Agency – Soil monitoring page:
https://eea.government.bg/soil

LUCAS – Land Use/Cover Area Frame Survey (Bulgaria) 2015/18/22

Client: Eurostat / EFTAS GmbH

National Soil Survey successfully managed three consecutive national LUCAS campaigns in Bulgaria – one of the European Union’s largest harmonised field surveys. Each campaign covered more than 6,000 sampling points across the country.

Our team coordinated complete field data collection (land use/cover classification, soil parameter assessment and validation with Copernicus imagery), prepared detailed field maps and quality-control procedures, trained field survey teams, and ensured full compliance with EU/JRC methodological standards and reporting deadlines. The collected data contribute directly to EU-level environmental monitoring, land management and soil status reporting.

Official LUCAS Soil page (European Soil Data Centre – ESDAC):
https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/projects/lucas LUCAS 2018 Soil Module report (JRC):
https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/node/83705 LUCAS 2015 Topsoil Survey report:
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC121325/lucas_2015_topsoil_survey_final_1.pdf

Analyses and Studies of Species and Natural Habitats under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive

Client: Ministry of Environment and Water / Executive Environment Agency / GAP Consult

National Soil Survey provided the full GIS and spatial-data support for Bulgaria’s national reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive. We inventory and critically assessed existing habitat and biodiversity datasets, integrated legacy maps into a modern GIS database, and designed comprehensive field maps and structured GPS datasets for survey teams.

Post-processing and quality assurance of all GIS/GPS field data resulted in thematic maps and a centralised, spatially consistent database used for biodiversity reporting, conservation planning and long-term ecological monitoring.

Biodiversity Information System for Europe – Bulgaria MAES page (contains related habitat reporting context): https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/bulgaria/maes

Development of a Public Register of Potentially Contaminated Lands

Client: Ministry of Environment and Water / Executive Environment Agency / GAP Consult

National Soil Survey designed and implemented the geospatial database and user-friendly GIS interface for Bulgaria’s national Public Register of Potentially Contaminated Lands. We performed a comprehensive inventory and spatial assessment of contamination data, structured pollutant parameters, site characteristics and historical records, and ensured full data accuracy, consistency and traceability.

The register supports environmental risk management, regulatory transparency, permitting processes and strategic planning in line with national and EU legislation.

Ordinance on the Public Register of Operators (related environmental liability register):
https://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/Ekologichna_otgovornost/Zakonodatelstvo/Naredba_publichen_register_EN.pdf Public portal for environmental liability (ЗОПОЕЩ):
https://public-zopoesht.moew.government.bg

Optimisation of the State Soil Monitoring Network – Level II (Acidification & Salinization)

Client: Ministry of Environment and Water / Executive Environment Agency

National Soil Survey led the strategic optimisation of the national soil-monitoring network with a focus on acidification and salinization processes. Using long-term environmental data analysis, targeted field investigations and advanced GIS modelling, we evaluated the representativeness of existing sites, decommissioned underperforming points and established new, strategically selected monitoring locations.

The resulting high-precision geospatial maps significantly improved the efficiency and national coverage of the monitoring network and strengthened compliance with long-term soil protection policies at both national and EU level.

Official description of the monitoring network levels (including Level II – acidification & salinization):
https://eea.government.bg/soil Scientific paper analysing the Bulgarian Soil Quality Monitoring Network:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10459422/

MetEcoSMap – Ecosystem Condition & Ecosystem Services Mapping

Client: Ministry of Environment and Water / EEA Grants / NINA (Norway)

As part of the MetEcoSMap project, National Soil Survey contributed to the development of Bulgaria’s national methodological framework for the assessment and spatial mapping of ecosystem condition and ecosystem services, fully aligned with EU MAES requirements.

Working together with Norwegian experts (NINA), we supported the classification and GIS mapping of ecosystem types, identified key ecosystem indicators, and co-developed a unified national methodology. Practical tools produced include the Ecosystem Monitoring Guide and the In Situ Verification Guide. Innovative biological soil condition indicators using DNA meta-barcoding were also advanced within the project.

Official project page (EEA Grants / FMO):
https://eeagrants.org/en/fmo/areas-work/programmes-and-projects-information/archive/2009-2014/projects/bg03-0026 Biodiversity Information System for Europe – detailed description of MetEcoSMap and the national methodological framework:
https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/bulgaria/maes Methodological Framework documents (English):
http://www.iber.bas.bg/sites/default/files/2018/MAES_2018/A1%20INTRO_ENG%20PRINT.pdf

Establishment of Environmental Monitoring Programme – Ada Tepe Gold Mine (“Han Krum” Concession)

Client: Balkan Mineral and Mining / Ecoforum Association

National Soil Survey established the baseline soil conditions and designed the soil sampling strategy for the environmental monitoring programme of the Ada Tepe gold mine (Krumovgrad municipality). Detailed soil profile investigations, morphological analyses and precise GPS georeferencing were carried out.

Soil classification results were correlated with the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), ensuring international scientific compatibility and providing a robust reference framework for environmental impact assessment, long-term monitoring and regulatory compliance.

Pre-monitoring scientific papers related to the same area (soil baseline studies):
https://doi.org/10.3897/biorisk.17.77466
http://uni-sofia.bg/index.php/bul/layout/set/print/content/download/338034/2176588/version/1/file/24_Ann_Tom_115-116_geography_402-415.pdf Dundee Precious Metals environmental monitoring reports (later years, but same site):
https://dpmmetals.com/site/assets/files/16141/internal-monitoring-report-2015_en.pdf

Nabucco Gas Pipeline – Soil & GIS-Based Route Assessment

Client: Chimcomplect Engineering JSC

National Soil Survey performed the complete spatial GIS assessment of land use, land cover and soil distribution along the entire Nabucco gas pipeline corridor in Bulgaria. The work included detailed soil unit mapping, vertical soil profiling, erosion risk assessment, analysis of high-resolution aerial imagery, and evaluation of productive land qualities (slope, aspect, erosion susceptibility).

A comprehensive GIS attribute database of cadastral units and ownership structures was designed to support regulatory compliance, stakeholder coordination and post-construction land-use management.

Our activities include:

Official EIA decision and transboundary documentation (Ministry of Environment and Water):
https://www.moew.government.bg/en/construction-of-nabucco-transit-gas-pipeline-on-the-territory-of-the-republic-of-bulgaria/ Example of detailed cadastral / route documentation (one of the municipalities):
https://www.bolyarovo.bg/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/70223_bb_rpt_pl_0241_000_rev_0_e_0_31493.pdf_.pdf