Perspectives From Nature‐Based Solutions to Restore Soil and Ecosystems

Over the past decade, research into nature-based solutions (NBS) for protecting and restoring soil health and ecosystem functionality has notably increased. The close interrelationship between the effectiveness of NBS and soil health is increasingly emphasized in the relevant scientific literature. Nevertheless, soil quality monitoring remains a much-neglected aspect of NBS approaches, both in practical implementation and in the scientific literature. To address this issue, we argue that the selection, validation, and measurement of harmonized soil indicators are essential for the effective planning and long-term management of NBS. Drawing on a series of case studies, literature reviews, and findings from European Union (EU)-funded projects, we highlight the critical role of soil indicators in assessing the performance of NBS for soil and ecosystem restoration. The EU has recently established NBS and soil health as crucial pillars on its political and executive agenda. In particular, soil is prominently featured in key initiatives such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, the Nature Restoration Law, and the Proposal on Soil Monitoring and Resilience. We conclude that the scientific community, engaging with social and political stakeholders, must spearhead efforts to identify existing gaps and develop standardized protocols for scientifically sound and practical NBS implementation. Recognizing soil health as a key factor in NBS is essential for ensuring their effectiveness, especially in the face of climate change and extreme weather events.