SONATA Summer School – From Soil to Landscape brings together soil science,
biodiversity, spatial modeling, and policy to support sustainable land-use decisions.
Using Vojvodina as a living laboratory, participants combine soil and microbiome data,
habitat mapping, GIS tools, and stakeholder insights to co-create Nature-Based
Solutions and spatial guidelines. The program links science, practice, and policy within
the EU Soil Mission, biodiversity, and climate action context.

Learning Objectives

After completing the Summer School, participants will be able to:

1. Understand links between soil health, biodiversity, and landscape processes across scales.
2. Apply soil sampling, eDNA/microbiome analysis, and spatial data in landscape assessments.
3. Use GIS and spatial modeling tools to support land-use and soil-related decisions.
4. Integrate social research and stakeholder perspectives into scientific workflows.
5. Translate scientific evidence into policy-relevant outputs, including spatial guidelines and Nature-based Solutions.
6. Critically assess the role of soil organic carbon, biodiversity, and drought resilience in climate mitigation and land management.

Expected Outcomes

Participants will:

• Gain hands-on experience with multidisciplinary datasets and tools (soil,
  biodiversity, spatial, socio-economic).
• Develop integrated group outputs, linking soil health and biodiversity with
  landscape-scale planning.
• Produce conceptual or prototype spatial guidelines (e.g. buffer zones,
  restoration areas, SOC-oriented scenarios).
• Strengthen skills in co-creation and science–policy interaction, relevant for
  EU Soil Mission and Green Deal initiatives.
• Build networks across disciplines and sectors, including academia, policy,
  and finance.