Ciro Gardi is currently working in the Plant Health team of the European Food Safety Authority. Agronomist, soil scientist/ecologist, with PhD in crop science, has a deep knowledge of agricultural systems and of the interactions between land management, soil quality and ecosystem service provision.

Actively involved on all the aspects related to soil degradation, from research to policy support and awareness raising. He taught soil science at University of Parma and in international masters and courses.

His main research activities are on the relationships between land use, agronomic management and soil quality, with particular emphasis on soil degradation processes, and their relationships with soil organic matter and soil biodiversity.

He is experienced in GIS, remote sensing and soil survey research, which he has carried out in Italy and abroad. He has been a consultant and served as an independent expert for the European Commission, World Bank, OECD and several NGOs and he is currently member of the Global Soil Partnership (FAO).

Working since 1992 in the European Commission. Leading the Soil Data and Information Systems activities of the Joint Research Centre in support to the EU Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection and numerous other soil related policies.

Responsible of the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC), the European Soil Information System (EUSIS) and the European Soil Bureau Network (ESBN).

In 2011 at FAO supporting the establishment of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP). Chair of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) and chair of the International Network of Soil Information Institutions (INSII). In 2016-18 Co-Chairing the IPBES Land Degradation and Restoration Assessment.

More than 300 publications, books and reports.

Numerous awards and memberships.