World Soil Resources at Stake

Abstract

After human beings initiated soil cultivation and food production, civilizations in the world thrived thanks to fertile soils but they went to ruin due to the harsh treatment of soils. To keep a sustainable society and to nourish the earth population more than 10 billion in the future, soils must be maintained in good conditions suitable for growing crops and providing safe lives. However, during about 20 years at the end of twentieth century, 2 billions hectare of land degraded because of human activities and soil resources in the world are now standing on the edge of precipice. The four actions, namely, prevention of soil degradations, global stores of soil organic matter, global limits of nitrogen and phosphorus uses, and improving soil observation systems, are the greatest priorities. Global adoption of sustainable soil management is a mutual issue for all human beings.