Soil degradation is an environmental concern that occurs when land becomes less fit for a specific purpose, like crop production. As the soil loses nutrients, namely phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium, crop yields can decline significantly, compounding the problem of food shortages resulting from a growing global population.
The lack of a strong foundation to grow food and other plants is just one of the problems associated with soil degradation. Here are some additional issues tied to soil degradation.
• Nutritional decline: Food grown in overtaxed soil may have a lower nutrient density. This can lead to micronutrient deficiencies in the human population.
• Farm closures: When soil erodes too much to support agriculture, farmers may abandon the land and their operations.
• Loss of biodiversity: Soils are a reservoir of biodiversity. The Food and Agriculture Organization says that a healthy soil may be home to up to 25 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. Degradation can destroy the habitat for bacteria, fungi and insects that contribute to the cycling of nutrients.
• Poor infiltration capacity: Degraded soils are not able to soak up rainwater as effectively as healthy soil. This can lead to water run-off and instances of flash floods. In arid locations, extreme degradation can lead to desertification, which occurs when land is unable to support vegetation.
• Climate change triggers: The ocean, forests and soil are the world’s largest carbon sinks, according to Client Earth. When soil erodes or is tilled to excess, stored organic carbon can oxidize and release into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. Furthermore, degraded land is not capable of supporting lush vegetation necessary to pull carbon out of the atmosphere.
• Global unrest: As healthy, arable land becomes scarce, the competition for fertile territories can lead to local and international conflict. Food scarcity also contributes to higher prices on products across the world.
Soil degradation can produce a trickle-down effect that affects people from all walks of life.
