As soil health becomes a pivotal focus in sustainable agriculture, the role of soil functions in delivering ecosystem services has garnered increasing attention. Key soil functions include primary productivity, nutrient cycling, water purification & regulation, climate regulation & carbon sequestration, and biodiversity & habitat provision. To evaluate these functions and guide management practices, we developed a suite of qualitative multi-criteria assessment models tailored to the North China Plain, building on the EU Soil Navigator framework. These models enable a systematic assessment of soil function performance and support decision-making for improved field management.

To illustrate, we present the nutrient cycling model as an example. This approach integrates key inputs—soil properties, climatic variables, and agricultural practices—to classify nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling performance into “Suitable,” “Neutral”, or “Unsuitable” categories. It incorporates hierarchical evaluations of N and P cycling based on processes related to nutrient availability, risk of nutrient losses, and crop uptake. The framework was developed by integrating knowledge from literature, process-based nutrient models, and expert judgements. The model was tested using datasets from long-term field experiments and smallholder farms, with N and P use efficiencies serving as proxy indicators. Furthermore, the model was applied to evaluate optimized management strategies, such as manure application, enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, and fertigation, demonstrating their potential to improve nutrient cycling and mitigate environmental risks.

The nutrient cycling model is one component of a broader suite of soil health assessment models, each designed to evaluate a specific soil function. Future integration of these models will provide a comprehensive, multi-functional evaluation framework for soil health. This example highlights the broader potential of our soil health models as diagnostic and prescriptive tools, enabling end-users like farmers, farm advisors, and researchers to evaluate soil health and implement targeted interventions that enhance soil multifunctionality and promote sustainable agroecosystem management.