15. Conclusion

Soil is the basis of all terrestrial life.

Soil degradation is a long-term reduction in the soil’s ability to provide ecosystem services (in particular food production and carbon sequestration). It is primarily caused by agriculture – both directly via poor land management and indirectly via deforestation. 1/3 of the world’s soils are now considered degraded. This means (a) less food and (b) less carbon storage.

To avoid widespread famine and catastrophic climate change we must restore currently degraded soils, prevent future degradation and sustainably enhance both agricultural production and carbon sequestration via good soil management techniques. (Growing plants without soil is possible but unlikely to provide a global solution.)

Will soil be the cause of our downfall or the key to our salvation? The choice is in our hands…