The process of land degradation is reaching high levels and becoming very dangerous in Europe.  Several major sources are identified as causing this problem.

Erosion, acidification, and pollution are among the leading causes of land degradation.  Unfortunately, once these processes occur, they basically cannot be undone.  Other problems include soil compaction, loss of organic matter, overgrazing, improper irrigation, salinization, desertification and water-logging.

The erosion of the soil is becoming a major problem in Europe, and 56% of Russian agricultural lands could be hurt by erosion.  Farmers might see their crops decrease heavily if important nutrients are lost from the soil.

European pollution has come from heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, nitrates, phosphates, artificial radionuclides, and other sources.

Pollution can disrupt natural ecosystems by entering the environment or affecting food chains, ruin or decrease production on farmlands, and poison the soil.  Changing the soil can fundamentally change the entire ecosystem, and affect every creature living in the local environment.

Because of Europe's generally high levels of industrialization, pollution is an especially large problem.  The use of fossil fuels in power plants and transportation, industrial processes, and accidents such as the Chernobyl explosion all cause the emission of pollutants.

One-third of the 300 million hectares of drylands in Europe suffer from desertification.  The main cause of the problem has been excessive agriculture.  The problem is most severe in the former Soviet Union, and southern and central Europe.