Soil and the intensification of agriculture for global food security

Environment International, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 132, P. 105078 - 105078

Published: Aug. 7, 2019

Soils are the most complex and diverse ecosystem in world. In addition to providing humanity with 98.8% of its food, soils provide a broad range other services, from carbon storage greenhouse gas regulation, flood mitigation support for our sprawling cities. But soil is finite resource, rapid human population growth coupled increasing consumption placing unprecedented pressure on through intensification agricultural production - crop yield per unit area soil. Indeed, has increased ca. 250 million year 1000, 6.1 billion 2000, projected reach 9.8 by 2050. The current practices already resulting unsustainable degradation soils. Major forms this include loss organic matter release gases, over-application fertilizers, erosion, contamination, acidification, salinization, genetic diversity. This ongoing decreasing long-term ability humans including future food production, causing environmental harm. It imperative that global society not shortsighted focusing solely near-immediate benefits soils, such as supply. A failure identify importance within increasingly intensive systems will undoubtedly have serious consequences represents consider intergenerational equity. Of utmost need unequivocally recognize leads clear economic cost principles needing be explicitly considered frameworks decision-making processes at all levels governance. We contend concept Water-Food-Energy nexus must expanded, forming Water-Soil-Food-Energy nexus.

Language: Английский

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Linking soils to ecosystem services — A global review

Geoderma, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 262, P. 101 - 111

Published: Aug. 27, 2015

Language: Английский

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The concept and future prospects of soil health

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 1(10), P. 544 - 553

Published: Aug. 25, 2020

Language: Английский

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Risk of pesticide pollution at the global scale

Nature Geoscience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 14(4), P. 206 - 210

Published: March 29, 2021

Language: Английский

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Sustainable intensification in agricultural systems

Annals of Botany, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 114(8), P. 1571 - 1596

Published: Oct. 28, 2014

Agricultural systems are amended ecosystems with a variety of properties. Modern agroecosystems have tended towards high through-flow systems, energy supplied by fossil fuels directed out the system (either deliberately for harvests or accidentally through side effects). In coming decades, resource constraints over water, soil, biodiversity and land will affect agricultural systems. Sustainable those tending to positive impact on natural, social human capital, while unsustainable feed back deplete these assets, leaving fewer future. intensification (SI) is defined as process where yields increased without adverse environmental conversion additional non-agricultural land. The concept does not articulate privilege any particular vision method production. Rather, it emphasizes ends rather than means, pre-determine technologies, species mix design components. combination terms 'sustainable' 'intensification' an attempt indicate that desirable outcomes around both more food improved goods services could be achieved means. Nonetheless, remains controversial some. This review analyses recent evidence impacts SI in developing industrialized countries, demonstrates yield natural capital dividends can occur. begins analysis emergence combined agricultural–environmental revolutions, challenges production this century populations grow consumption patterns change. Emergent criticisms highlighted, outputs renewable assets detailed. It concludes observations policies incentives necessary wider adoption SI, indicates how promote transitions greener economies well benefit from progress other sectors.

Language: Английский

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The interdisciplinary nature of <i>SOIL</i>

SOIL, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 1(1), P. 117 - 129

Published: Jan. 16, 2015

Abstract. The holistic study of soils requires an interdisciplinary approach involving biologists, chemists, geologists, and physicists, amongst others, something that has been true from the earliest days field. In more recent years this list grown to include anthropologists, economists, engineers, medical professionals, military sociologists, even artists. This strengthened reinforced as current research continues use experts trained in both soil science related fields by wide array issues impacting world require in-depth understanding soils. Of fundamental importance these are biodiversity, biofuels/energy security, climate change, ecosystem services, food human health, land degradation, water each representing a critical challenge for research. order establish benchmark type we seek publish issue SOIL, have outlined nature looking for. includes focus on myriad ways can be used expand investigation into therefore richer addition, selection invited review papers published first SOIL address which investigations essential other fields. We hope editorial will serve examples kinds topics would like see stimulate excitement among our readers authors participate new venture.

Language: Английский

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Soil microbiomes and one health

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 21(1), P. 6 - 20

Published: Aug. 23, 2022

Language: Английский

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Soil “Ecosystem” Services and Natural Capital: Critical Appraisal of Research on Uncertain Ground

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: June 7, 2016

Over the last few years, considerable attention has been devoted in scientific literature and media to concept of "ecosystem" services soils. The monetary valuation these services, demanded by many governments international agencies, is often depicted as a necessary condition for preservation natural capital that soils represent. This focus on soil framed context general interest ecosystem allegedly started 1997, took off earnest after 2005. careful analysis proposed this article shows that, fact, multifunctionality emerged already mid-60s, at time when hundreds researchers worldwide were trying, largely failing, figure out how put price tags meaningfully "nature's services." Soil scientists, since, have tried better understand various functions/services soils, well their possible relation with key characteristics, like biodiversity. They also make progress challenging quantification functions/services. However, shown very little valuation, undoubtedly part because it not clear what economic financial markets might do prices functions/services, even if we could somehow come up such numbers, there no assurance all, based neoclassical theory, would manage resources optimally. Instead decision-making methods, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN), which require systematic monetization easily accommodate deliberative approaches involving variety stakeholders. A prerequisite public deliberations participants be cognizant extreme relevance aspects daily life. We argue long satisfied, combination methods sound approach promising avenue effectively ethically priceless heritage constitute.

Language: Английский

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World's soils are under threat

SOIL, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 2(1), P. 79 - 82

Published: Feb. 29, 2016

Abstract. The Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils has completed the first State of World's Soil Resources Report. Globally soil erosion was identified as gravest threat, leading to deteriorating water quality in developed regions and lowering crop yields many developing regions. We need increase nitrogen phosphorus fertilizer use infertile tropical semi-tropical soils – where most food insecurity among us are found while reducing global these products overall. Stores organic carbon critical balance, national governments must set specific targets stabilize or ideally stores. Finally information available for policy formulation be improved regional assessments Report frequently base their evaluations studies from 1990s based observations made 1980s earlier.

Language: Английский

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Digital mapping of GlobalSoilMap soil properties at a broad scale: A review

Geoderma, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 409, P. 115567 - 115567

Published: Nov. 30, 2021

Soils are essential for supporting food production and providing ecosystem services but under pressure due to population growth, higher demand, land use competition. Because of the effort ensure sustainable soil resources, demand current, updatable information capable decisions across scales is increasing. Digital mapping (DSM) addresses drawbacks conventional has been increasingly used delivering in a time- cost-efficient manner with spatial resolution, better map accuracy, quantified uncertainty estimates. We reviewed 244 articles published between January 2003 July 2021 then summarised progress broad-scale (spatial extent >10,000 km2) DSM, focusing on 12 mandatory properties GlobalSoilMap. observed that DSM publications continued increase exponentially; however, majority (74.6%) focused applications rather than methodology development. China, France, Australia, United States were most active countries, Africa South America lacked country-based products. Approximately 78% organic matter/carbon content carbon stocks because their significant role security climate regulation. Half topsoil only (<30 cm), studies deep (100–200 cm) less represented (21.7%). Relief, organisms, three frequently environmental covariates DSM. Nonlinear models (i.e. machine learning) have capacity manage complex interactions covariates. Soil pH was best predicted property (average R2 0.60, 0.63, 0.56 at 0–30, 30–100, 100–200 cm). Other relatively well-predicted clay, silt, sand, (SOC), matter (SOM), SOC stocks, bulk density, coarse fragments depth poorly (R2 < 0.28). In addition, decreasing model performance deeper intervals found properties. Further research should pursue rescuing legacy data, sampling new data guided by well-designed schemas, collecting representative covariates, improving interpretability advanced predictive models, relating indicators such as accuracy precision cost-benefit risk assessment analysis decision support; moving from static dynamic DSM; high-quality, fine-resolution digital maps address global challenges related resources.

Language: Английский

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