2023-12-04 01:26:09
On December 5, World Soil Day is celebrated, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of soil as a vital resource for humanity, as well as promote sustainable soil management practices. This year’s theme is “Soil and water: source of life”.
He World Soil Day (WSD) is celebrated annually on December 5. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly at the initiative of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and has been celebrated since 2014, to raise awareness in the world about the importance of healthy soil and to promote sustainable practices in the management of this essential resource for life.
The election of December 5 is due to the fact that it coincides with the birthday of the late King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was a fervent supporter of this initiative, who died in 2016.
However, the origins of this celebration date back to 2002, when the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) promoted the idea in the context of the Global Soil Alliancea collaborative forum emerged to address the need to share sustainable practices and restore a resource that was sometimes considered inexhaustible.
Every year, the World Soil Day focuses on a specific topic related to soil conservation and sustainable management. This year 2023 the motto is Soil and water: source of life. Events, conferences and activities are organized worldwide to highlight the importance of this resource and promote responsible practices for its preservation.
The importance of soil is such that the UN dedicates two days annually to it; International Soil Day is added to International Soil Conservation Day, which is celebrated on July 7.
An essential pillar for life on earth
Soil, often unnoticed beneath our feet, is actually one of the most crucial resources for life on our planet. Its importance extends far beyond simply being the substrate that supports plants; In fact, soil plays vital roles in the health and balance of Earth’s ecosystems.
First, soil acts as the essential support for vegetation, allowing plants, trees and crops to take root and thrive. Through their roots, plants extract nutrients and water from the soil, which facilitates their growth and development.
Additionally, soil is a storehouse of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, providing a gradual supply to plants as they need it. This process is essential to maintain the productivity of ecosystems and food production globally.
Soil also plays a crucial role in water purification, acting as a natural filter during infiltration. This process helps retain impurities and contaminants, contributing significantly to groundwater quality.
A less known, but equally important aspect is the role of soil as a store of organic carbon. This storage capacity is essential to mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
On the other hand, the soil is home to a surprising diversity of life, from microorganisms to small mammals. These organisms play essential roles in nutrient cycles and the decomposition of organic matter, contributing to the health and balance of terrestrial ecosystems.
Furthermore, soil conservation and sustainable management are not only essential for ensuring food production and food security, but are also fundamental for the preservation of natural ecosystems and the protection of human infrastructure against erosion and landslides.
In conclusion, soil is revealed as a crucial pillar for life on Earth, and its preservation is a challenge of critical importance in the global environmental agenda. Recognizing and valuing the importance of this vital resource is a fundamental step towards a sustainable and balanced future for our planet and its inhabitants.
The importance of preserving our soil in figures
The invaluable functions that soil performs make us aware of the importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard these resources for future generations. A few key figures are enough to recognize its vital function:
More than 95% of our food comes from the soil.
Rainfed agricultural systems account for 80% of cropland and contribute to 60% of global food production. These systems rely heavily on effective soil moisture management practices. Irrigated agricultural systems extract 70% of the world’s fresh water and account for 20% of cropland. One cubic meter of healthy soil can retain more than 250 liters of water. One hectare of fertile land can contain more than 300 million small invertebrates: insects, spiders, worms and other tiny animals.
The main threats to soil vitality
In 2015, the FAO produced the first report of the World State of Soil Resources in which he points out ten main threats to the vital functions of the soil. In the delicate balance of soil health, these threats ranging from erosion and loss of organic carbon, salinization and loss of biodiversity, among others, endanger essential soil functions.
The unbalanced availability of nutrients, whether due to insufficiency or excess, impacts food security and entails significant environmental consequences. Soil acidification, caused by the accumulation of ions, alters the chemical composition of the soil. Likewise, the loss of soil biodiversity affects microorganisms and macroscopic organisms, compromising the vitality of the underground ecosystem.
The compaction of the soil, a result of the pressure exerted on its surface, hinders the vital exchange of water and gases, as well as the penetration of roots. Soil pollution, caused by the introduction of harmful substances, disrupts the natural functions of the soil and its inhabitants.
Erosion, whether by water or wind, strips the earth of its top layer, often exacerbated by human activity. The loss of soil organic carbon, through its transformation into greenhouse gases, aggravates climate change and erodes soil quality.
Salinization, the accumulation of salts in the soil, can be natural or induced by inappropriate agricultural practices. Soil sealing, a result of urbanization and construction, interrupts the earth’s natural cycle and its absorption capacity.
Finally, soil waterlogging, when waterlogging prevents root respiration, can result in the loss of vital vegetation.
It is crucial to recognize and address these threats to preserve the health and functionality of one of our planet’s most fundamental resources: soil.
Individual and collective actions to protect the soil
From the Intergovernmental Technical Group on Soil (GTIS) key measures are proposed to improve soil management:
Individuals and private sector: All people who use or manage land must act as responsible stewards of this essential natural resource, ensuring its sustainable management for future generations.
Groups and scientific community: They must disseminate information and knowledge about soils and highlight the importance of their sustainable management to avoid damage to their fundamental functions.
Governments: must promote sustainable soil management, adapted to the particularities of each country, eliminating barriers and promoting education on sustainable practices. It is also crucial to support research, integrate sustainable soil management principles into policies at all levels, consider soil in plans to address climate change, establish regulations against the accumulation of contaminants, and maintain soil information systems at national and international levels. .
International organizations: must facilitate the compilation and dissemination of authorized reports on the global status of the soil resource and its sustainable management protocols. In addition, they must coordinate efforts to develop an accurate and detailed global soil information system, integrated with other Earth observation systems. They must also support governments in establishing appropriate policies and legislation, as well as in implementing and monitoring appropriate and sustainable soil management practices, at their request.
These actions can change the current course and ensure a sustainable future for the soil resource.
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