Feasibility of the creation of a soil map of Europe at a scale of 1:250,000

The state of soil surveys and land inventory studies in the European Union (EU) are summarized in relation to the feasibility of producing a soil map or automated database on a scale of 1 : 250 000. The main uses of such information would be environmental protection and assuring the sustainability of prevailing land use systems. Numerous operational methodologies are available to summarize land information and address problems of spatial variability. These are reviewed in relation to the needs of theEU. Although complete coverage by a 1 : 250 000 map is desirable in the long term, more realistic shorter-term aims should include studies of pilot zones, development of a common multi-purpose legend and an enhanced common soil profile database