World Soil Day: Soil is the Source of Life on the Planet

(Patria) - World Soil Day is observed every year on December 5 as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for sustainable management of soil resources. The UN General Assembly designated this date, with 2014 as the first official World Soil Day, according to the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica.

The Link Between Water and Soil

The goal is to raise awareness about the importance and relationship between soil and water in achieving sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. This unique global platform not only celebrates soil but also empowers and engages citizens worldwide to improve soil health. The survival of our Planet depends on the precious link between soil and water. Water in the soil, vital for plant nutrient absorption, connects our ecosystems. This symbiotic relationship is the foundation of our agricultural systems. However, faced with climate change and human activities, our soils are degrading, placing excessive pressure on our water resources.

Erosion disrupts the natural balance, reducing water infiltration and availability for all forms of life. Sustainable soil management practices, such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, adding organic matter, and cover crops, improve soil health, reduce erosion and pollution, and enhance water infiltration and storage. These practices also preserve soil biodiversity, improve fertility, and contribute to carbon sequestration, playing a key role in combating climate change.

Poor Soil

Malnutrition and food insecurity are long-standing problems for humanity. The Institute notes that the connection between soil and nutrient deficiencies in crops is puzzling since the primary source of nutrients is the soil. Plants obtain vital resources from two completely different environments – air and soil. The nutrients found in animal feed come from plants or plant-based foods, which obtain their nutrients from the soil. Thus, the nutritional quality and quantity of food are directly linked to the quality and health of the soil.

Healthy soils can support the productivity, diversity, and ecological characteristics of terrestrial ecosystems (FAO, 2020). If soils are not healthy, their ability to produce healthy and nutritious food is reduced or lost. Soils are complex ecosystems that perform amazing functions of creation, storage, transformation, and recycling of essential elements that we all need and that are transferred from soil to plants, and then to animals. This storage and transfer of nutrients is possible through intricate physical, chemical, and biological processes involved in transforming unavailable nutrient sources such as nitrogen and phosphorus in plants into available forms.

Soils are not inert: they are living ecosystems that provide physical structure and support, as well as a chemical and biological environment for the flow of nutrients to roots, influencing mechanisms for crop nutrient uptake and regulating nutrient loss to the environment. To perform all these functions, it is necessary to understand, value, and preserve the soil and systems that enable the production of our food and its nutritional value, on which our health depends.

Key Messages

As highlighted by the Institute, the key messages of this year's World Soil Day are - Soil and water are essential resources for sustaining life on Earth. Soil and water form the basis for food production, ecosystems, and human well-being. Recognizing their invaluable role, we can take proactive measures to preserve these resources for future generations. Soil erosion and compaction impair the soil's ability to store, drain, and filter water, increasing the risk of floods, landslides, and sand/dust storms. Soil and water are the medium in which plants grow and obtain essential nutrients. Healthy soil plays a crucial role as a natural filter, purifying and storing water as it infiltrates the ground.

Rain-fed agricultural systems account for 80 percent of cultivated land, contributing 60 percent of global food production. These systems rely heavily on efficient soil moisture management practices. Irrigation systems draw 70 percent of the world's freshwater and account for 20 percent of cultivated land. Soil and water are interconnected resources that require integrated management. Soil health and water quality and availability are interconnected. Implementing sustainable soil management practices increases water availability for agriculture. Healthy soils, enriched with organic matter, play a key role in regulating water retention and availability.

Efficient use of quality water, promoting sustainable use of fertilizers and pesticides, applying appropriate irrigation methods, improving drainage systems, controlling pumping, and monitoring soil and groundwater salinity levels are essential for maintaining sustainable agricultural practices. Sustainable soil management is crucial for improving water productivity in irrigation systems. Inadequate soil and water management affects erosion, biodiversity, soil fertility, and water quality and quantity.

Poor Management

Water scarcity leads to loss of soil biodiversity, while leaching and eutrophication from agricultural activities lead to loss of biodiversity in water bodies. Poor management of pesticides and fertilizers not only threatens soil and water quality but also poses a significant risk to human health and ecosystems. Poor irrigation and drainage are some of the main drivers of soil salinization. Rising sea levels contribute to soil loss, increasing the risk of soil salinization and sodification, which can negatively impact agricultural productivity, say experts from the Institute.

Soil and water conservation contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Improved soil and water management enhances the soil's capacity to withstand extreme climate events such as droughts, floods, and sand/dust storms. Integrated soil and water management practices provide essential ecosystem services, supporting life on earth and increasing ecosystem resilience. Healthy soils act as a carbon "sink," sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, thus contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.