What is soil?Soil is the thin layer of material on the Earth’s surface. It is a natural resource consisting of weathered and organic materials, air and water. As it is the medium in which plants establish themselves and grow, the most widely recognized function of soil is its support for food production. Soil provides nutrients and water that are absorbed through plant roots and contribute to the regulation of water and atmospheric gases and therefore play an important role in climate regulation.

How are soils formed?There are many different factors that come together to create soils, and the process can take thousands of years to reach an equilibrium. The main soil forming factors are: climate, topography, parent material, time and biological factors (plants, animals, micro-organisms and humans). Different combinations and intensities of soil forming factors lead to different soil types.

Is it true that soil is a non-renewable resource?Soil is considered a non-renewable resource

because it does not renew itself at a sufficient rate in the human time frame. Indeed, one

centimetre of soil can take hundreds to thousands of years to form from parent rock.

Why are soils important?Soils are a key enabling resource for human well-being, central to the creation

of a host of products and essential ecosystem services:Soils are the basis for the production of food, fibers, fuel and medicinal

products.Soils absorb, store, alter, purify and release water, both for plant growth and

water supply.Soils interact with the atmosphere through absorption and emission of gases

(e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour) and dust;Soils make up the greatest pool of terrestrial organic carbon (over double the

organic carbon stored in vegetation).Soils regulate carbon, oxygen and plant nutrient cycles (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, etc.)

Soil is the habitat of several animals and organisms such as bacteria and fungi and thus

sustain biological activity, diversity and productivity.

Soil is the habitat for seed dispersion and dissemination of the gene pool.

Soils buffer, filter and moderate the hydrological cycle.

Soils are the platform for urban settlement and are used as materials for construction.

How do soils contribute to food security?Soil is where food begins! It is estimated that 95% of our food is directly and indirectly produced on

our soils. Therefore, food availability relies on soils. Healthy and good quality food can only be

produced if our soils are healthy. A healthy living soil is a crucial ally to food security and nutrition.

How many types of soil exist in the world today?Based on the different soil properties, there are

an infinite number of possible combinations that can be grouped and classified in major soil

types/classes.

How many types of soil exist in the world today?soil types are illustrated:

(1) Soils with organic layers; (2) Soils showing strong human influence;

(3) Soils with limitations to root growth; (4) Soils distinguished by their special iron and

aluminium chemistry;

How many types of soil exist in the world today?(5) Soils with a dark and humus rich topsoil; (6) Soils with accumulation of soluble salts;

(7) Soils with a subsoil enriched in clay; (8) Soils with little or no development and

(9) Soils that are permanently flooded.

What is soil degradation?Soil degradation is the reduction in the capacity of soil to provide ecosystem goods and services and ensure its functions over a period of time for the beneficiaries of these. Soil degradation manifests itself in various forms, such as: soil erosion, soil Stalinization, nutrient depletion, loss of soil biodiversity, soil pollution, soil compaction, loss organic matter, soil sealing and others.

Is soil degradation a global issue?Studies report that approximately 33% of our soils

are facing moderate to severe degradation. The current rate of soil degradation threatens the

capacity to meet the needs of future generations, unless we reverse this trend through a concerted

effort towards the sustainable management of soils.

What is soil health?Soil health is the capacity of soil to function as a

living system. Healthy soils maintain a diverse community of soil organisms that help to control plant disease, insect and weed pests, and form

beneficial symbiotic associations with plant roots.

What is soil health? Continue:Healthy soils recycle essential plant nutrients,

improve soil structure with positive repercussions for soil water and nutrient holding capacity, and

ultimately improve crop production. A healthy soil does not pollute the environment; rather, it contributes to mitigate climate change by

maintaining or increasing its organic carbon content.

What is Integrated Nutrient Management?Integrated Nutrient Management refers to the maintenance of soil fertility and plant nutrient supply at an optimum level for

sustaining the desired productivity. This is achieved by optimizing the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic,

biological and sustainable recyclable waste components in an integrated manner, to

prevent environmental impacts from nutrient outflows.

How do soils make plants grow?Soils support plant growth by

providing anchorage, sufficient oxygen, moisture and nutrients.

Additionally, soil protects roots from drastic fluctuations in temperature by buffering temperature modification.

What is the role of fertilizers?Fertilizers enrich soils content of

micro- and macronutrients. However, overuse of fertilizers can result in soil

and water contamination.

How do soils contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation?

Sustainable management of soil resources contributes effectively to the mitigation of: 1)

climate change through carbon sequestration and reduction of GHG emissions; and

How do soils contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation?

2) desertification processes. It is imperative to promote sustainable soil management practices

for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and resilience to changing weather patterns and

extremes. Protection and management of organic carbon-rich soils and the identification of zones

that are either highly vulnerable to degradation or poorly resilient is of particular concern.

What is soil contamination?Soil contamination implies that the concentration of a substance (e.g.

nutrient, pesticide, organic chemical, acidic or saline compound, or trace

elements) in soil is higher than would naturally occur (See also soil

pollution).

What is soil pollution and how do soils contribute to pollution control?

Soil pollution refers to the presence of substances at concentrations above threshold levels where they become harmful to living organisms (See

also soil contamination). Soils break down pollutants and limit groundwater and surface

water pollution. Indeed, soils hamper pollutants leaching into the groundwater and limit their

transport to surface waters.

How do soils store and filter water?The ability of a soil to store water is called soil

water retention capacity and it is related to the particle-size distribution. The particle-size

distribution is also related to the ability of a soil to act as a filter. Indeed, the finer the soil particles,

the higher the ability of the soil to trap pollutants and prevent them from leaching into the

groundwater.

How do soils recycle nutrients?Nutrients in soil are recycled through the

decomposition of organic matter coming from plant or animal sources. Soil microorganisms break down the organic matter and make the

nutrients available to living organisms.

s it true that soils host a quarter of our planet's biodiversity?

Yes, it is true. There are billions of microorganisms such as bacteria,

fungi, and protozoans in the soil, as well as thousands of insects, mites

and worms.

What is the role of soil biodiversity?Soils and soil organisms provide a multitude of

ecosystem services, including waste breakdown, release of nutrients, enhancement of soil

structure and biodegradation of pesticides and other chemicals; in addition, they act as a sink for

greenhouse gas emissions and fight pests and

What is the role of soil biodiversity? Continuedsoil-borne plant pathogens, benefiting human

and animal health including digestion and immunity. It is therefore important to maintain

the genetic and species diversity of soil organisms for the continued provision of these functions.

What can I do to help protect the planet's soils?To protect planet’s soil resources it is important to:

Prevent and reverse soil degradationPractise sustainable soil management

Prevent soil pollutionAvoid sealing the soil

Combat climate changeShrink your carbon footprint

Preserve and increase vegetation coverStop food waste

Spread the word about the importance of soils

Why is it important to raise awareness about the importance of soils?

Soils provide a key set of fundamental ecosystem services that are crucial for our well-being. Despite their crucial role, soils have been taken for granted for a long time. Considering that human pressures on soils are reaching critical limits that jeopardize

our future, there is an urgent need to raise awareness on the importance of this strategic

resource.

PRESENTEDBY

BENEDICTA PHILIP12BSW4033

SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT ST.JOSEPH’S COLLEGE (Art and Science)

BANGALOREINDIA