The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People

Abstract

This theme issue provides an assessment of the contribution of soils to Nature's Contributions to People (NCP). The papers in this issue show that soils can contribute positively to the delivery of all NCP. These contributions can be maximized through careful soil management to provide healthy soils, but poorly managed, degraded or polluted soils may contribute negatively to the delivery of NCP. Soils are also shown to contribute positively to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Papers in the theme issue emphasize the need for careful soil management. Priorities for soil management must include: (i) for healthy soils in natural ecosystems, protect them from conversion and degradation, (ii) for managed soils, manage in a way to protect and enhance soil biodiversity, health, productivity and sustainability and to prevent degradation, and (iii) for degraded soils, restore to full soil health. Our knowledge of what constitutes sustainable soil management is mature enough to implement best management practices, in order to maintain and improve soil health. The papers in this issue show the vast potential of soils to contribute to NCP. This is not only desirable, but essential to sustain a healthy planet and if we are to deliver sustainable development in the decades to come. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of soils in delivering Nature’s Contributions to People’.

Digital mapping of soil texture classes for efficient land management in the Piedmont plain of Iran

“…A recent study conducted by Teixeira da Silva et al (2018) explains that, of the 12 key indicators evaluated for the European Green Capital Award (European Commission, 2017), six are directly related to the soil. Thus, understanding the characteristics of soil properties at different scales is paramount for most land‐use decisions (Keesstra et al, 2021; O'Geen, 2013; Smith et al, 2021). Despite the crucial importance of soil for the sustainability of ecosystems and socio‐economic uses, its consideration and integration into territorial planning processes are not extensive nor widespread.…”

“…Thus, understanding the characteristics of soil properties at different scales is paramount for most land-use decisions (Keesstra et al, 2021;O'Geen, 2013;Smith et al, 2021). Despite the crucial importance of soil for the sustainability of ecosystems and socio-economic uses, its consideration and integration into territorial planning processes are not extensive nor widespread.…”

Restoration strategies for water and salt transport in saline soils: A 20‐year bibliometric analysis

“…Increasing anthropogenic activity over the past decades has shown negative impacts on soil ecosystems (Rodrigo‐Comino et al, 2020; Singh, 2022; Trenberth, 2018). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are inducing climate change, leading to sea‐level rise and soil drought (Keesstra et al, 2021), while a lack of sustainable farming and/or irrigation is leading to continuous land degradation (Panagos & Katsoyiannis, 2019) and threatens food security (Lal, 2009; Smith et al, 2021). Soil salinization has been identified as a major land degradation process that is attracting global attention (Meng et al, 2009), with soil salinization prevention and soil productivity improvement as the theme of World Soil Day 2021.…”

Environmental impacts of corn silage production: influence of wheat residues under contrasting tillage management types

“…Exacerbated intensification and non-planned farming practices contribute significantly to increasing soil consumption and gas emissions to the environment (Mirzaei et al, 2022a , b ; Rodrigo-Comino et al, 2020 ; Smith et al, 2017 , 2021 ). However, to achieve land degradation neutrality in these areas considering the effects on carbon and nitrogen dynamics, agricultural practices such as reduced tillage and the use of crop residues could have direct (i.e., carbon sequestration, mitigation of greenhouse gases emissions, absorbing pollutants and other chemicals used in agriculture, reducing air pollutants) and indirect (i.e., reducing fuel and energy consumption) positive effects on global warming and environmental quality (Brennan et al, 2014 ; Liu et al, 2014 ; Mirzaei et al, 2022a ; Ravindra et al, 2019 ; Sindelar et al, 2019 ; Yao et al, 2013 ).…”