Soil compaction is a major and growing driver of land degradation worldwide, affecting agricultural, forest and grazing ecosystems. Soil compaction, as a key soil threat, is primarily linked to intensive agricultural traffic, forest harvesting, livestock trampling and industrial activities. These pressures are often worsened by inadequate soil-moisture management, unsustainable land-use practices, and the growing size and weight of agricultural machinery. Soil compaction negatively impacts cropland, grasslands, rangelands and forestland, and it leads to detrimental effects on plant growth, crop and fodder yields and reduces ecosystem goods and services.

The extent of these impacts, and the rate at which soil functions could be recovered, depend on the degree of compaction and the interaction of multiple soil and management factors. Despite advances in science and technology, significant gaps remain in the development, transfer, and harmonization of knowledge across research, farm and pasture management, and policymaking.

Addressing these gaps is the focus of the Global Symposium on Soil Compaction, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its Global Soil Partnership (GSP), and Aarhus University, The Symposium will be held in Aarhus, Denmark from 21–23 September 2026 and participation is free of charge.