Soil sub-function Natural productivity of the soil function map of Bavaria 1:25,000 (BFK25) for three project areas

Soils fulfill important functions in the ecosystem. The Federal Soil Protection Act protects these valuable soil functions. The performance of the soil in the ecosystem is evaluated with soil function maps. The evaluation is based on soil maps (usually overview soil maps with a mean of 1:25,000) and other extensive information on the environment and location. The area information is converted to evaluations with the help of linking rules. Soils ensure our food supply. However, intensive agriculture requires a high energy input and can cause environmental problems. Environmentally friendly agriculture is most likely to be possible on soils with a high natural productivity. The assessment of the natural productivity of agricultural soils is based on the agricultural site map of the State Institute for Agriculture (LfL). It takes geological, soil, vegetation and climatic conditions into account and indicates the suitability of use of arable and grassland locations in their different capacities. The map indicates which locations are particularly suitable for agricultural use due to their high productivity. The soil function map "Natural productivity of agricultural soils" represents a soil protection evaluation of the agricultural site map. Since the basic data of the soil function map are partly based on different topographical bases, when comparing with current utilization maps, inaccuracies in intersection occur, especially at utilization limits. Areas with less than 5000 m² were added to neighboring areas.