Sustainable futures over the next decade are rooted in soil science

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Electronic versions

DOI

  • Daniel L. Evans
    Cranfield University
  • Victoria Janes-Bassett
    Lancaster University
  • Pasquale Borrelli
    University of Pavia
  • Claire Chenu
    INRAE AgroParisTech
  • Carla S. S. Ferreira
    Stockholm University
  • Robert I. Griffiths
    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
  • Zahra Kalantari
    Stockholm University
  • Saskia Keesstra
    Wageningen University & Research
  • Rattan Lal
    The Ohio State University
  • Panos Panagos
    European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
  • David A. Robinson
    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
  • Samaneh Seifollahi-Aghmiuni
    Stockholm University
  • Pete Smith
    University of Aberdeen
  • Tammo S. Steenhuis
    Cornell University
  • Amy Thomas
    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor
  • Saskia M. Visser
    Wageningen University & Research
Abstract The importance of soils to society has gained increasing recognition over the past decade, with the potential to contribute to most of the United Nations? Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With unprecedented and growing demands for food, water and energy, there is an urgent need for a global effort to address the challenges of climate change and land degradation, whilst protecting soil as a natural resource. In this paper, we identify the contribution of soil science over the past decade to addressing gaps in our knowledge regarding major environmental challenges: climate change, food security, water security, urban development, and ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Continuing to address knowledge gaps in soil science is essential for the achievement of the SDGs. However, with limited time and budget, it is also pertinent to identify effective methods of working that ensure the research carried out leads to real-world impact. Here, we suggest three strategies for the next decade of soil science, comprising a greater implementation of research into policy, interdisciplinary partnerships to evaluate function trade-offs and synergies between soils and other environmental domains, and integrating monitoring and modelling methods to ensure soil-based policies can withstand the uncertainties of the future. Highlights We highlight the contributions of soil science to five major environmental challenges since 2010. Researchers have contributed to recommendation reports, but work is rarely translated into policy. Interdisciplinary work should assess trade-offs and synergies between soils and other domains. Integrating monitoring and modelling is key for robust and sustainable soils-based policymaking.

Keywords

  • biodiversity, climate change, ecosystems, food security, sustainable development goals, urban development, water security
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e13145
JournalEuropean Journal of Soil Science
Volume73
Issue number1
Early online date16 Jul 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jan 2022
Externally publishedYes
View graph of relations