Soils perform more functions than primary productivity. Examples of these functions are the recycling of nutrients, the regulation and purification of water, the regulation of the climate, and supporting biodiversity. These abilities are generally referred to as the soil quality. Soil management that favors primary productivity may have positive and negative impacts on the other functions, and vice versa, depending on soil and climatic conditions. All these functions are under pressure, particularly in intensive agriculture. In the absence of mandatory regulations, most European farmers give limited attention to other functions than primary productivity in spite of recommendations by scientists, society and policy makers to acknowledge the ecosystem services provided by soils. The present paper analyses the underlying causes of this limited attention for the multi-functionality of soils by farmers. It is concluded that their focus on primary productivity may stem from (1) insufficient visible proof for soil degradation and benefits of preventive measures over curative measures, (2) limited awareness or conviction of long-term synergies, (3) insufficient remuneration of ecosystem services by society or compensation of yield penalties in favor of these services, (4) lacking trustworthy knowledge about and support for multi-functional soil management, and (5) absence of incentives and regulations on soil management and their enforcement. All these shortcomings need to be addressed by advisors, scientists, and policy makers, whilst acknowledging the need for underpinning and differentiation of incentives and regulations.

中文翻译：

---

多功能土地利用对欧洲农民而言并非不言而喻：批判性审查

土壤比初级生产力具有更多的功能。这些功能的例子包括养分循环、水的调节和净化、气候调节和支持生物多样性。这些能力通常被称为土壤质量。有利于初级生产力的土壤管理可能会对其他功能产生积极和消极的影响，反之亦然，这取决于土壤和气候条件。所有这些功能都面临压力，特别是在集约化农业中。在缺乏强制性法规的情况下，尽管科学家、社会和政策制定者建议承认土壤提供的生态系统服务，但大多数欧洲农民对初级生产力以外的其他功能的关注有限。本文分析了农民对土壤多功能性的这种有限关注的根本原因。得出的结论是，他们对初级生产力的关注可能源于 (1) 土壤退化的可见证据不足，预防措施优于治疗措施，(2) 对长期协同作用的认识或信念有限，(3) 生态系统的报酬不足社会服务或对有利于这些服务的产量惩罚的补偿，(4) 缺乏对多功能土壤管理的可靠知识和支持，以及 (5) 缺乏有关土壤管理及其执行的激励措施和法规。所有这些缺点都需要顾问、科学家和政策制定者解决，同时承认需要支持和区分激励措施和法规。