Restoration of Degraded Agricultural Soils: A Future Roadmap Integrating Circular Bioeconomy and Agroecosystem Resilience

Dear Colleagues,

The degradation of agricultural soils threatens the delicate balance between nature and human society. As soil health deteriorates, we face a vicious cycle in which the loss of ecosystem services exacerbates food insecurity and diminishes our ability to cope with adverse climate events. The magnitude of these challenges requires an innovative and interdisciplinary perspective that is forward-looking, integrating soil restoration within the long-term sustainability of farming systems.

The aim of this Special Issue is to define a roadmap for the restoration of degraded agricultural soils, exploring how these efforts can be integrated into circular agroecosystems to enhance the resilience of rural landscapes. The topics to be included relate to environmental engineering and biotechnology (e.g., technosols development, bioremediation, and ecosystem services), regenerative agricultural practices, plant–soil interactions, and waste management in agriculture (resource valorization). We are also deeply interested in how stable and healthy cropping systems act as a catalyst for generational renewal in farming and the preservation of rural biodiversity.

We are looking for cutting-edge research focused on nature-based solutions and soil engineering, particularly the development of technosols designed from upcycled agricultural by-products. We seek to understand the connection between soil fertility and the viability of sustainable agronomic practices, ensuring that healthy soil remains the foundation for sustainable agroecosystems.

We are soliciting original research, critical reviews, and perspective papers. We especially welcome studies that provide a holistic view, linking soil fertility with waste valorization and sustainability of agricultural areas. We invite you to share your expertise to help build this essential roadmap for the next decade.

Dr. Teresa Rodrıguez-Espinosa
Prof. Dr. I. Gómez Lucas
Dr. Gregorio García-Fernández
Guest Editors

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