Protection and improvement of soil functionality: Cover crops in the Czech Republic, with European support, to prevent soil erosion European soils are wealth providing us with essential services, including water purification and food production. In fact, our soils fulfil important carbon storage functions, playing an essential part in climate regulation by absorbing the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Supporting soil functionality goes therefore to the top of the   priority list in member states, and Rural Development Programmes (RDP) of many countries include measures to support the promotion of soil management services, dedicated to the maintenance and improvement of its quality. The actions co-financed with the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) include integration of agricultural crops and animal rearing activities, crop rotation and diversification, applying compost, reduced or zero  tillage and intermediate cover crops.