About

PHysically-Based Integrated Soil HEalth Simulation Platform (PHISHES) is a European Research and Innovation Action project that aims to bridge the missing link between data on soil health and actions for the safeguard of soils.
The project started on 1 September 2024 and runs for 48 months.

How to bridge the gap

A key scientific question is: “How do soil use and soil contamination influence soil functions and associated ecosystem services, in the presence of major drivers such as climate change, and how we can predict the impact of mitigation and adaptation measures?”

While most research teams address this question in a qualitative / semi-quantitative fashion, using, e.g., multicriteria analysis and indicators of soil health, the ambition of PHISHES is to provide quantitative predictive capability via the PHISHES digital platform.

Developing a Digital Platform

PHISHES builds upon several existing and well-recognised modelling tools, with the primary challenge being to couple the different tools in an integrated framework. The system composition is described as follows.

Backend system components

• Data repository: a data model for storage and management of the data collected and processed, including simulation results, analytics and calculated indicators.
• Python repository: data processing tools to support modelling and inform inputs for the model trains; data processing tools for estimating indicators efficiency of the various analysed measures on the targeted soil functions and ES.
• Modelling repository: download links to the necessary software packages as well as coupling code for interlinking of the various models in each train.

Frontend system components

• Web-based frontend: landing page and individual apps that introduce and guide users through the elements of the PHISHES methodology, from necessary data to result presentation and analysis.