Is ‘soil health’ meaningful as a scientific concept or as terminology?
About: This article is published in Soil Use and Management.The article was published on 2021-05-14. It has received 10 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Terminology.
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TL;DR: In this article , a quantitative approach to developing and selecting soil health indicators that help connect management-induced changes in soil health to specific outcomes (e.g., yield or water quality) is proposed.
Abstract: Soil health is a promising lens through which to approach land management, having the potential to serve as a descriptor of biophysical processes and as an effective communication tool across stakeholders. However, this potential has been largely unrealized due to difficulty in quantitatively assessing soil health and linking those assessments to outcomes. Here we discuss many multiple persistent obstacles to quantitative soil health assessment and outline a suite of analyses to help address those obstacles. Specifically, we propose a quantitative approach to developing and selecting soil health indicators that help connect management-induced changes in soil health to specific outcomes (e.g., yield or water quality). To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we perform a small case study using published data from North Carolina and New York cropping systems. Additionally, we outline how this approach is scalable and flexible enough to integrate future soil health metric development. The proposed approach stands to provide a quantitative, empirical basis for future measurement, assessment, and interpretation of soil health. • Robust and reliable quantitative soil health assessment has proved elusive. • Our pipeline addresses persistent pitfalls of current soil health assessment. • Indicator selection and connecting to agroecological outcomes are essential. • We outline an approach to soil health assessment that is rigorous and interpretable.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors examine the origin of popular ideas on the role of soil biology in sustainable soil management, as well as their potential to address key global challenges related to agriculture.
Abstract: Attention to soil biodiversity and its importance for sustainable food production has markedly increased in recent years. In particular, the loss of soil biodiversity as a consequence of intensive agriculture, land degradation and climate change has raised concerns due to the expected negative impacts on ecosystem services, food security and human health. The result is a strong demand for ‘nature-based’ practices that stimulate soil biodiversity or beneficial soil organisms and enhance soil health. Here, we examine the origin of popular ideas on the role of soil biology in sustainable soil management, as well as their potential to address key global challenges related to agriculture. Three examples of such ideas are discussed: 1) a higher fungal:bacterial (F:B) biomass ratio favours soil carbon storage and nutrient conservation; (2) intensive agricultural practices lead to a decline in soil biodiversity with detrimental consequences for sustainable food production; (3) inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduces agriculture's dependency on synthetic fertilizers. Our analysis demonstrates how ecological theories, especially E.P. Odum's ( 1969) hypotheses on ecological succession, have inspired the promotion of agricultural practices and commercial products that are based on the mimicry of (soil biology in) natural ecosystems. Yet our reading of the scientific literature shows that popular claims on the importance of high F:B ratios, soil biodiversity and the inoculation with beneficial microbes for soil health and sustainable agricultural production cannot be generalized and require careful consideration of limitations and possible trade-offs. We argue that dichotomies and pitfalls associated with the normative use of nature as a metaphor for sustainability can be counterproductive given the urgency to achieve real solutions that sustain food production and natural resources. Finally, implications for soil ecology research and sustainable soil management in agriculture are discussed.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors review the evidence showing that carbon-rich soils improve the resilience of human societies to pandemics and other crises and indicate pathways for how the loss of soil carbon due to farming could be reversed by transformations within our food systems.
Abstract: Soils have recently received attention in the policy area due to their various connections to climate change, human health and their key role in sustaining human societies in general. In this context, agricultural production and healthy nutritious food are linked to soil health and the diversity of their (micro-)biome, which depend on organic carbon materials as an energy and nutrient source. In this paper, we review the evidence showing that carbon-rich soils improve the resilience of human societies to pandemics and other crises. We indicate pathways for how the loss of soil carbon due to farming could be reversed by transformations within our food systems. Moreover, we argue that soil carbon has a strong role to play in enhancing environmental and human health in addition to mitigating and adapting to climate change. This multifaceted role requires a transdisciplinary dialogue and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
5 citations
01 Dec 2021
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors define soil phenoforms as persistent, but reversible, non-cyclical variants of a soil genoform with sufficient physical, chemical or biological differences to substantially affect soil functions, especially regulation and production functions.
Abstract: The proposed Anthropocene epoch is characterized by intense human intervention on the soil resource. To characterize this, two concepts have been defined. Soil genoforms are the central concepts of mappable soil bodies, including permanently altered soils. These are represented by soil profiles which are the soil “individuals” of soil classification, and are based on relatively permanent soil characteristics. Soil phenoforms are persistent, but reversible, non-cyclical variants of a soil genoform with sufficient physical, chemical or biological differences to substantially affect soil functions, especially regulation and production functions. Soil phenoforms are the result of differential soil management and are directly linked to the soil security concept of soil condition. Map-unit based soil survey and classification has typically identified and mapped soil genoforms, ignoring the diversity of soil phenoforms that may be found within map units, and consequently their differential functioning. This latter is especially important in the evaluation of the soil resource with respect to the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. Developments in digital soil mapping suggest that it may be feasible to identify and map soil phenoforms in regularly-updated soil survey. This has implications for soil classification: (1) some soil genoforms as presently defined contain more than one stable soil genoform, and so should be split into several genoforms; (2) soil phenoforms should be recognized as dynamic forms within the soil classification system. An open challenge is how to identify and efficiently map soil phenoforms in regularly-updated soil survey.
5 citations
TL;DR: Microbial abundance and activity can be used as important soil health indicators that were enhanced by no-tillage with increased cropping intensity and related to crop yield.
3 citations
References
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TL;DR: The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Ad Hoc Committee on Soil Quality (S-581) as mentioned in this paper defined soil quality as "the capacity (of soil) to function".
Abstract: This essay summarizes deliberation by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Ad Hoc Committee on Soil Quality (S-581) and was written to spur discussion among SSSA members Varying perceptions of soil quality have emerged since the concept was suggested in the early 1990s, and dialogue among members is important because, unlike air and water quality, legislative standards for soil quality have not been and perhaps should not be defined In simplest terms, soil quality is “the capacity (of soil) to function” This definition, based on function, reflects the living and dynamic nature of soil Soil quality can be conceptualized as a three-legged stool, the function and balance of which requires an integration of three major components — sustained biological productivity, environmental quality, and plant and animal health The concept attempts to balance multiple soil uses (eg, for agricultural production, remediation of wastes, urban development, forest, range, or recreation) with goals for environmental quality Assessing soil quality will require collaboration among all disciplines of science to examine and interpret their results in the context of land management strategies, interactions, and trade-offs Society is demanding solutions from science Simply measuring and reporting the response of an individual soil parameter to a given perturbation or management practice is no longer sufficient The soil resource must be recognized as a dynamic living system that emerges through a unique balance and interaction of its biological, chemical, and physical components We encourage SSSA members to consider the concept of soil quality (perhaps as a marketing tool) and to debate how it might enable us to more effectively meet the diverse natural resource needs and concerns of our rural, urban, and suburban clientele of today and tomorrow
1,804 citations
TL;DR: It is found that explicit evaluation of soil quality with respect to specific soil threats, soil functions and ecosystem services has rarely been implemented, and few approaches providing clear interpretation schemes of measured indicator values limits their adoption by land managers as well as policy.
Abstract: Sampling and analysis or visual examination of soil to assess its status and use potential is widely practiced from plot to national scales. However, the choice of relevant soil attributes and interpretation of measurements are not straightforward, because of the complexity and site-specificity of soils, legacy effects of previous land use, and trade-offs between ecosystem services. Here we review soil quality and related concepts, in terms of definition, assessment approaches, and indicator selection and interpretation. We identify the most frequently used soil quality indicators under agricultural land use. We find that explicit evaluation of soil quality with respect to specific soil threats, soil functions and ecosystem services has rarely been implemented, and few approaches provide clear interpretation schemes of measured indicator values. This limits their adoption by land managers as well as policy. We also consider novel indicators that address currently neglected though important soil properties and processes, and we list the crucial steps in the development of a soil quality assessment procedure that is scientifically sound and supports management and policy decisions that account for the multi-functionality of soil. This requires the involvement of the pertinent actors, stakeholders and end-users to a much larger degree than practiced to date.
1,257 citations
25 Aug 2020
TL;DR: Soil health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans, and connects agricultural and soil science to policy, stakeholder needs and sustainable supply-chain management as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Soil health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans, and connects agricultural and soil science to policy, stakeholder needs and sustainable supply-chain management. Historically, soil assessments focused on crop production, but, today, soil health also includes the role of soil in water quality, climate change and human health. However, quantifying soil health is still dominated by chemical indicators, despite growing appreciation of the importance of soil biodiversity, owing to limited functional knowledge and lack of effective methods. In this Perspective, the definition and history of soil health are described and compared with other soil concepts. We outline ecosystem services provided by soils, the indicators used to measure soil functionality and their integration into informative soil-health indices. Scientists should embrace soil health as an overarching principle that contributes to sustainability goals, rather than only a property to measure. Soil health is essential to crop production but is also key to many ecosystem services. In this Perspective, the definition, impact and quantification of soil health are examined, and the needs in soil-health research are outlined.
347 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested it is more realistic to promote practices for increasing SOC based on improving soil quality and functioning as small increases can have disproportionately large beneficial impacts, though not necessarily translating into increased crop yield.
Abstract: We evaluated the "4 per 1000" initiative for increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) by analysing rates of SOC increase in treatments in 16 long-term experiments in southeast United Kingdom. The initiative sets a goal for SOC stock to increase by 4‰ per year in the 0-40 cm soil depth, continued over 20 years. Our experiments, on three soil types, provided 114 treatment comparisons over 7-157 years. Treatments included organic additions (incorporated by inversion ploughing), N fertilizers, introducing pasture leys into continuous arable systems, and converting arable land to woodland. In 65% of cases, SOC increases occurred at >7‰ per year in the 0-23 cm depth, approximately equivalent to 4‰ per year in the 0-40 cm depth. In the two longest running experiments (>150 years), annual farmyard manure (FYM) applications at 35 t fresh material per hectare (equivalent to approx. 3.2 t organic C/ha/year) gave SOC increases of 18‰ and 43‰ per year in the 23 cm depth during the first 20 years. Increases exceeding 7‰ per year continued for 40-60 years. In other experiments, with FYM applied at lower rates or not every year, there were increases of 3‰-8‰ per year over several decades. Other treatments gave increases between zero and 19‰ per year over various periods. We conclude that there are severe limitations to achieving the "4 per 1000" goal in practical agriculture over large areas. The reasons include (1) farmers not having the necessary resources (e.g. insufficient manure); (2) some, though not all, practices favouring SOC already widely adopted; (3) practices uneconomic for farmers-potentially overcome by changes in regulations or subsidies; (4) practices undesirable for global food security. We suggest it is more realistic to promote practices for increasing SOC based on improving soil quality and functioning as small increases can have disproportionately large beneficial impacts, though not necessarily translating into increased crop yield.
229 citations
"Is ‘soil health’ meaningful as a sc..." refers background in this paper
...These might include ways of maintaining or increasing soil carbon content (Lal, 2020; Martin et al., 2021; Poulton et al., 2018), addressing tradeoffs between different greenhouse gas emissions resulting from altered management practices (Guenet et al....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the main agricultural management options for increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks are reviewed and the amount of SOC that can be stored as well as resulting changes in N2 O emissions to better estimate the climate benefits of these management options.
Abstract: To respect the Paris agreement targeting a limitation of global warming below 2°C by 2100, and possibly below 1.5°C, drastic reductions of greenhouse gas emissions are mandatory but not sufficient. Large-scale deployment of other climate mitigation strategies is also necessary. Among these, increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks is an important lever because carbon in soils can be stored for long periods and land management options to achieve this already exist and have been widely tested. However, agricultural soils are also an important source of nitrous oxide (N2 O), a powerful greenhouse gas, and increasing SOC may influence N2 O emissions, likely causing an increase in many cases, thus tending to offset the climate change benefit from increased SOC storage. Here we review the main agricultural management options for increasing SOC stocks. We evaluate the amount of SOC that can be stored as well as resulting changes in N2 O emissions to better estimate the climate benefits of these management options. Based on quantitative data obtained from published meta-analyses and from our current level of understanding, we conclude that the climate mitigation induced by increased SOC storage is generally overestimated if associated N2 O emissions are not considered but, with the exception of reduced tillage, is never fully offset. Some options (e.g. biochar or non-pyrogenic C amendment application) may even decrease N2 O emissions.
137 citations