Climate & Environment
Soil Degradation
Definition
Soil degradation is the decline in soil quality and function caused by human activity: erosion, loss of organic matter, compaction, salinisation, nutrient depletion, acidification, contamination and sealing. The FAO estimates that around a third of the world's soils are already degraded, with severe consequences for food production, water cycling and carbon storage; degradation is central to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification's land degradation neutrality target (SDG 15.3).
References
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This reference provides supporting context for how “Soil Degradation” is defined and used.
Overview
How it is used
The concept structures UNCCD land degradation neutrality planning, soil protection law (EU Soil Monitoring Law), conservation agriculture programmes and food security analysis.
Why it matters
Civilisation rests on a few centimetres of topsoil; soil degradation is the slow crisis underneath the fast ones.