Following our recent report on the soil infiltration tests conducted in February 2026, we are highlighting the foundational field work that made those results possible. In September 2025, the research team reached a key stage in Work Package 2 (WP2) by completing an intensive soil sampling and characterization campaign in Medenine, Tunisia.
Building the Project’s Soil Database
Between September 8 and 12, 2025, experts from the Institut des Régions Arides (IRA) of Médenine conducted a five-day field mission to map the physical properties of the study area. This initial activity was essential for ensuring that all subsequent technical tests – including the hydraulic measurements recently reported – are grounded in a representative and highly accurate dataset.
Objectives of the September Campaign
The mission focused on two primary technical goals:
Representative Collection: Gathering soil samples from strategically selected locations to capture the full environmental diversity of the Medenine region.
Preliminary Characterization: Conducting on-site assessments of soil structure and properties to provide immediate context for the more complex laboratory analyses that followed.
By identifying these baseline characteristics during the autumn season, the team was able to precisely calibrate the specialized infiltration studies that took place earlier this year.
Collaborative Knowledge Exchange
This field campaign involved a team of 10 specialists, working to create data that directly supports land management and restoration practitioners. By documenting the initial state of the soil, the project can provide more actionable recommendations for combating desertification and improving agricultural resilience across the Mediterranean.
Looking Ahead
This September mission served as the technical starting point for the integrated soil-water-ecosystem research currently being published on our website. The samples collected during these five days continue to be a vital reference point for our ongoing analysis within the project.
