Innovative Consulting Solutions for Biopikilo Natural Capital Solutions

Soil is one of the most ubiquitous – and underappreciated – substances on Earth. In several fascinating ways this miraculous substance holds the key to life.

Healthy soils are essential for farmers and the agronomic ecosystem overall. Maintaining or increasing soil fertility over the long-term contributes to stable or even higher yields of crops, and biomass required for non-food bioeconomy sectors contributing to the de-fossilization of our economy, and gives farmers long-term production security and business prospects. The availability of healthy and fertile soils and land is crucial in the transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy and can therefore help increase and preserve the value of the land.

Pressure on soil and land is increasing globally. In the EU, 4.2% of the territory has been artificialized by land take; land take and soil sealing continue predominantly at the expense of agricultural land. In addition, soil degradation affects the potential long-term fertility of agricultural soils. It is estimated that between 61% and 73% of agricultural soils in the EU is affected by erosion, loss of organic carbon, nutrient (nitrogen) exceedances, compaction or secondary salinisation (or a combination of these threats). For instance, soil compaction can lower crop yields by 2.5-15 %. Without sustainable management and action to regenerate soils, deteriorating soil health will be a central factor in future food security crises.

To produce sufficient food for a global population that is expected to grow to 9-10 billion people in 2050, fertile soils are a key asset. Since 95% of our food is directly or indirectly produced on this precious finite natural resource, soil degradation has a direct impact on food security and the cross-border food markets.

Soil degradation also harms human health. Airborne particulate matter produced by wind erosion causes or worsens respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Sealed soils prolong the duration of high temperatures during heat waves and have less capacity to act as a sink for pollutants.

The recreational value of the environment and nature, with links to our physical and mental health, is also supported by healthy and sustainably managed soils. This is valuable both in the countryside, and especially in urban areas where the adoption of sustainable management practices can help create healthy green spaces and reduce heat islands, improve air quality and housing conditions. Improving soil health is key to increase the EU’s resilience to adverse events and adaptation to climate change. Europe’s resilience to climate change depends on the level of soil organic matter and fertility, water retention and filtering capacity, and resistance to erosion.

Healthy soils with functional water retention capacity also support healthy forest ecosystems that are more resilient to wildfires. At the same time, wildfires can cause soil degradation, leading to increased risks of soil erosion, landslides and floods. Strengthening the knowledge base on soils can contribute to improving disaster risk assessments that recognise the multi-faceted roles that soils play in mitigating disasters.