The Potential Impact of Climate Change on Soil Properties and Processes and Corresponding Influence on Food Security

Abstract

According to the IPCC, global temperatures are expected to increase between 1.1 and 6.4 °C during the 21st century and precipitation patterns will be altered. Soils are intricately linked to the atmospheric/climate system through the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles. Because of this, altered climate will have an effect on soil processes and properties. Recent studies indicate at least some soils may become net sources of atmospheric C, lowering soil organic matter levels. Soil erosion by wind and water is also likely to increase. However, there are many things we need to know more about. How climate change will affect the N cycle and, in turn, how that will affect C storage in soils is a major research need, as is a better understanding of how erosion processes will be influenced by changes in climate. The response of plants to elevated atmospheric CO 2 given limitations in nutrients like N and P, and how that will influence soil organic matter levels, is another critical research need. How soil organic matter levels react to changes in the C and N cycles will influence the ability of soils to support crop growth, which has significant ramifications for food security. Therefore, further study of soil-climate interactions in a changing world is critical to addressing future food security concerns.

Soil erosion risk assessment in the Chaleleka wetland watershed, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

“…Most of the parts of this watershed have experienced intensive soil erosion behavior, which is beyond the tolerable soil loss level. This threatens the annual crop production and the productivity of the land impacting the local farmers' food security (Brevik, 2013;Pimentel and Burgess 2013). The erosion may also have off-site consequences in the wetlands and have the possibility to modifying its nature and function (Gleason RA et al 2003).…”

Determination of the effect of changes in climatic factors on the variations in soil physicochemical properties of farm settlements located in Ogun State, Nigeria

“…This may account for the little higher CEC recorded in rainy season with increase in SOM in the studied sites. Sandy soils are much more sensitive to climatic fluctuations than the loam and clay soils (Brevik, 2013).…”

“…Meaning that as temperature increases due to global warming, O.M and CEC in the soil will decrease which will invariably affect crop yield. Increased temperature is likely to have a negative effect on C allocation to the soil, leading to reductions in soil organic C (Brevik, 2013). An increase of 10 o C in temperature has been reported to double bio-chemical reaction rates, which can exerts important effect on soil chemistry because most chemical reactions are highly sensitive to temperature changes (Elder, 1989).…”

“…Poor agricultural practice, climate change and land degradation have caused tremendous change in the physicochemical properties of agricultural soils resulting in low productivity (Brevik, 2013). This is currently responsible for food insecurity in many developing countries, particularly, Nigeria (Birara et al, 2015).…”

Groundcover influence on physical and chemical soil properties, runoff and nutrient loss and grape yield and quality in semiarid Mediterranean vineyards

“…Within this context, alternative management, such as reduced tillage, the application of mulch, or the planting of cover crops, has been developed to protect soil from erosion. These alternative management methods generally increase the input of soil organic matter (SOM) (Prosdocimi et al, 2016b;Brevik, 2013). The importance of SOM in reducing soil erosion is well known, i.e., SOM reduces erosion by improving soil structure, hydrological characteristics, aggregate stability and resistance (Balesdent et al, 2000;Barthès and Roose, 2002;Six et al, 2004).…”