soil genesis

Soil | Land

Soil of the Year

Red grapes on a vineyard.

Germany is blessed with many different types of soil. In the interest of shedding greater light on the world beneath our feet, each December 5th, on World Soil Day, the Soil of the Year is presented. A panel of experts selects the soil in question. In announcing the Soil of the Year, the panel indicatesamong other things its characteristics, origin and significance for today’s society. read more

Soil | Land

Soil types

A soil profile with differently coloured layers of brown earth.

Specific types of soil with their own inherent properties form over a lengthy period as the result of the interplay between a host of environmental factors. Germany has a closed soil covering that is strong in many locations and forms a patchwork of many different types of soil. read more

Soil | Land

Soil development

Rock and soil

What is needed above all for soil to develop is time, and of course rock, which is the material from which soil develops. Likewise necessary are organic substances, water, air and microorganisms. read more

The Umweltbundesamt

For our environment