Soil health is key to carbon sequestration and the path to more sustainable agriculture
Being the foundation of agricultural development, soils are essential for sustaining life on earth. with their capacity to regulate the planet’s climate, soils contribute to sustainable agricultural production and food security.
Preserving soil health is crucial to meet the demands of a rapidly growing global population. Sustainable soil management can enable worldwide food production, helping to secure resources for future generations.
World Soil Day is celebrated on December 5th. This day was established by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002 in Thailand during the World Congress of Soil Science. It was later officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution 68/232 on December 20, 2013. This recognition aimed to emphasize the environmental, social, and economic importance of soils globally.
Soils play diverse roles, from supporting plant growth and nutrient cycling to regulating the water cycle and acting as a carbon reservoir. This carbon storage function makes soils a crucial ally in the fight against climate change.
Want to learn more about this natural resource? Keep reading to discover the many functions of soils and how they impact your everyday life.
Soils as a Haven for Biodiversity and the Backbone of Agriculture
Soils harbor rich biodiversity. More than 50% of the known species on the planet spend all or part of their lives within soils. They play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and regulating the water cycle, serving as a natural filter and purifier for water. In this way, soils provide essential benefits for agricultural production and the preservation of life on Earth.
Healthy soils enable sustainable agriculture. They supply adequate nutrients, water content, and structure to support plant root development, ensuring the effective functioning of agriculture. Beyond their primary role of supporting plants, soils also enhance agricultural productivity. Thus, alongside their ecological significance, soils are key to addressing one of humanity’s greatest current challenges: food insecurity.
Understanding Our Soils Is Key to Their Preservation and Climate Control
Understanding the various soils used for agriculture is essential for their management and conservation. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), climate change and human activities degrade soils and strain water resources. Erosion disrupts the natural balance, reducing water infiltration and availability for many forms of life. Thus, soils play a crucial role in slowing global warming.
Researchers at CCARBON/USP are conducting important studies on soil preservation and enhancing agricultural productivity. Numerous research lines are underway, contributing to a better understanding of sustainable production practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to research conducted at the center, strategies like crop diversification, rotation, and cover crops show promise for increasing carbon sequestration. The study also found that including brachiaria in crop succession systems could boost carbon stocks by 1.3 times by 2070.
Soils Play a Crucial Role in the Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Several SDGs are related to soils and their role in sustainable development. Soil preservation is crucial for ending hunger, water resources and sanitation, climate action, life on land, and sustainable natural resource management. Thus, the management of this resource is linked to 5 of the 17 SDGs: SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 13 – Climate Action, SDG 15 – Life on Land, and SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.
Soil fertility conservation and proper management help ensure food security and promote more resilient agricultural systems. Healthy soils also support water retention and filtration, reducing water pollution and ensuring greater availability of clean water.
In terms of climate action, practices that conserve and increase soil organic carbon help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Well-managed soils also provide favorable conditions for flora and fauna, helping preserve ecosystems and combat desertification.
Furthermore, sustainable soil management practices promote agricultural production that avoids environmental degradation, contributing to a more circular and sustainable economy. Therefore, raising awareness about the importance of soils is vital to strengthening ecological balance, climate resilience, and global sustainable development.
Main References:
Ministério da Integração e do Desenvolvimento Regional. Departamento Nacional de Obras Contra as Secas. Available at: https://www.gov.br/dnocs/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/05-de-dezembro-dia-mundial-do-solo-conserva-lo-significa-garantir-um-futuro Accessed on: October 18, 2024.
Locatelli, J.L.; Grosso, S.D.; Santos, R.S.; Hong, M.; Gurung, R.; Stewart, C.E.; Cherubin, M.R.; Bayer, C.; Cerri, C.E.P.; Modeling soil organic matter changes under crop diversification strategies and climate change scenarios in the Brazilian Cerrado, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Volume 379, 2025, 109334, ISSN 0167-8809, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.109334.
Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals Accessed on: November 11, 2024.
