Development and spatialization of a soil potential multifunctionality index for agriculture (Agri-SPMI) at the regional scale. Case study in the Occitanie region (France)

Europe is faced to a competing demand for areas suitable agriculture and urban development. To help building the general guidelines necessary sustainable development at regional scale, we developed soil potential multifunctionality index (Agri-SPMI), which used concepts of soil-based ecosystem services functions. It considered provision physical chemical habitat plant growth functions, retention transfer water pollutants function, carbon storage function. Three agricultural land uses were in this index: arable lands, perennial crops, pastures. The assessment Agri-SPMI was done over large territory, using small set inherent properties available French survey database 1:250,000 scale. output form two maps, can be viewed GIS software: map with high service food, biomass, fiber production. concept allowed highlighting environmental issues related encourage planners take them into account addition agronomic soils. framework fully transferable other scales, contexts, or services, adaptation considered.