I heard on NPR news this morning that there is a huge global shortage of sand because of construction and silicon chips. I wonder if your project considers sand as part of the soils ecosystem. The report stated that the one remaining Sand Mine in California, USA, was being closed. The report stated how gangs were starting to take over areas where fights were breaking out over sand, like in India and Indonesia.
Anyhow, I wonder if you included this sand shortage in the scope of your project.
Dear Joeseph Campo. Lack of sand was not addressed in the EcoFINDERS project. This is not considered to be a problem for soil biodiversity. Focus is more on soil sealing, erosion, landscape fragmentation, habitat loss and climate.
To my opinion if the sand dunes or any other sand cover is part of your ecosystem it should be taken in consideration - is source, is a system, is of great importance for the biotic components, etc
You might also consider the extensions of sand mining as it relates to the growth of 'unconventional' shale drilling. Fracking and vertical drilling technologies require massive inputs of sand (used as a 'proppant'). There is likely a direct relationship between increased usage in drilling and the shortages you heard about on NPR.