14.4 Global soil security and policy implications

Soil security is crucial for global food production and ecosystem services. It's about keeping our soil healthy and productive for future generations. However, threats like erosion, degradation, and pollution are jeopardizing this vital resource.

International policies and initiatives are tackling these challenges head-on. Meanwhile, climate change is shaking things up, affecting soil health and food production. But there's hope – smart soil management can help us adapt and even fight climate change.

Global Soil Security and Policy Implications

Soil security and global importance

Top images from around the web for Soil security and global importance

• 

  Soil, land and climate change View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Soil carbon | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Soil and Sustainability | Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Soil, land and climate change View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Soil carbon | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Soil security and global importance

• 

  Soil, land and climate change View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Soil carbon | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Soil and Sustainability | Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Soil, land and climate change View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Soil carbon | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Soil security concept encompasses maintaining and improving soil resources ensuring long-term productivity and sustainability for future generations
• Global food production relies on soil as foundation for agriculture facilitating nutrient cycling and storage while retaining water for plant availability
• Ecosystem services provided by soil include carbon sequestration mitigating climate change, supporting biodiversity (microorganisms, plants, animals), mitigating floods by absorbing excess water, and filtering contaminants from water

Threats to global soil resources

• Soil erosion occurs through wind and water action exacerbated by deforestation, overgrazing, and poor agricultural practices (monoculture, excessive tillage)
• Soil degradation manifests as loss of organic matter reducing fertility, compaction limiting root growth, salinization from improper irrigation, and desertification in arid regions
• Soil pollution stems from industrial activities (heavy metals), agricultural chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers), and urban runoff introducing contaminants like microplastics

International soil conservation policies

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals include Goal 15: Life on Land addressing soil conservation and restoration
• FAO Global Soil Partnership established World Soil Charter and Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management promoting best practices
• UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) set Land Degradation Neutrality targets to halt and reverse land degradation
• International Year of Soils (2015) and World Soil Day (December 5th) raise awareness about soil importance
• Regional initiatives like European Union's Common Agricultural Policy and African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme implement soil conservation measures

Climate change impact on soils

• Rising temperatures accelerate organic matter decomposition altering soil structure and nutrient availability while changing microbial activity and soil moisture content
• Changing precipitation patterns increase soil erosion risk, nutrient leaching, and affect water availability for crops
• Extreme weather events (floods, droughts) cause soil loss and damage soil structure impacting agricultural productivity
• Food production consequences include shifts in crop suitability zones (e.g., northward movement of corn belt), changes in growing seasons, and potential yield reductions
• Adaptation strategies involve conservation agriculture (no-till farming), improved irrigation systems (drip irrigation), and crop diversification (drought-resistant varieties)
• Soils offer mitigation potential through carbon sequestration in agricultural soils and reduced greenhouse gas emissions via improved soil management practices (cover cropping, reduced tillage)