14.2 Soil health and sustainable management practices

Soil health is crucial for sustaining life on Earth. It's all about the soil's ability to function as a living ecosystem, supporting plants, animals, and humans. Key indicators like soil structure, nutrient availability, and biological activity reveal the overall condition and function of soil.

Sustainable soil management practices are essential for maintaining healthy soils. These include conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, and integrated nutrient management. These practices help preserve soil structure, improve fertility, and enhance the soil's capacity to support life and ecosystem services.

Soil Health Fundamentals

Definition of soil health

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• Soil health capacity of soil to function as a living ecosystem sustains plants, animals, and humans
• Key indicators of soil health reveal overall soil condition and function
  • Physical indicators measure structural integrity and water dynamics
    • Soil structure and aggregation affect root growth and water movement
    • Water infiltration and retention impact plant water availability
    • Bulk density influences root penetration and aeration (ideal range 1.3-1.6 g/cm³)
  • Chemical indicators assess nutrient status and soil chemistry
    • pH levels determine nutrient availability (optimal range 6.0-7.0)
    • Nutrient availability affects plant growth and yield
    • Cation exchange capacity (CEC) measures soil's ability to hold nutrients
  • Biological indicators evaluate soil life and organic matter dynamics
    • Microbial biomass and activity drive nutrient cycling
    • Earthworm populations improve soil structure and organic matter decomposition
    • Soil respiration rates indicate overall biological activity

Sustainable soil management practices

• Conservation tillage minimizes soil disturbance and preserves structure
  • No-till farming leaves crop residues on soil surface
  • Reduced tillage systems limit depth and frequency of soil cultivation
• Crop rotation diversifies plant species breaks pest and disease cycles
  • Alternating crops (corn-soybean-wheat) improves soil health
  • Legumes in rotation add nitrogen through biological fixation
• Cover cropping protects soil from erosion adds organic matter
  • Winter rye or clover planted between main crops
  • Reduces soil loss and enhances soil biology
• Integrated nutrient management optimizes fertilizer use and soil fertility
  • Balanced fertilizer application based on soil tests
  • Use of organic amendments (compost, manure) improves soil structure
• Precision agriculture applies site-specific management minimizes resource waste
  • GPS-guided equipment for targeted application of inputs
  • Variable rate technology adjusts fertilizer and seed rates based on field conditions

Soil Health and Environmental Impact

Land use impacts on soil

• Deforestation effects lead to increased soil erosion and loss of soil organic matter
  • Removal of tree cover exposes soil to rain and wind
  • Rapid decomposition of organic matter alters soil structure
• Urbanization impacts cause soil sealing and compaction alters hydrological cycles
  • Impervious surfaces (concrete, asphalt) prevent water infiltration
  • Heavy machinery and foot traffic compress soil particles
• Agricultural intensification results in soil degradation from overuse and nutrient imbalances
  • Continuous cropping depletes soil nutrients and organic matter
  • Excessive tillage breaks down soil aggregates
• Ecosystem services affected by land use changes
  • Carbon sequestration capacity reduced in degraded soils
  • Water filtration and storage diminished in compacted or eroded soils
  • Biodiversity support compromised by habitat loss and soil degradation

Role of soil organic matter

• Composition of soil organic matter includes various organic components
  • Living biomass (roots, microorganisms) actively cycles nutrients
  • Dead plant and animal residues provide food for soil organisms
  • Humus stable organic matter resistant to decomposition
• Functions of soil organic matter improve overall soil quality
  • Improving soil structure by binding soil particles into aggregates
  • Enhancing water retention increases plant-available water
  • Increasing nutrient availability through mineralization and cation exchange
• Organic matter and soil fertility boost soil productivity
  • Nutrient cycling and storage provides slow-release nutrients
  • Cation exchange capacity enhancement improves nutrient retention
• Carbon sequestration in soil organic matter plays role in mitigating climate change
  • Soils store more carbon than atmosphere and vegetation combined
  • Practices to increase soil organic carbon (reduced tillage, cover crops) help offset emissions