Welcome to part 8 of our mini series promoting #WorldSoilDay on 5th December 2021. Here we look at soil biodiversity loss. This is part of our series on Growing Sustainably.
You can find all content in this mini series at Mini Series: #WorldSoilDay 2021 Salt Affected Soils.
If you already know that you have the power to improve soils and help climate change by making conscious buying decisions, here are the options:
- Check out #VoteWithOurMoney with 6 Steps to Help Stop Climate Change
- Try the Sustainability Roadmap with 40+ Solutions to Climate Change
- Use the Company Directory to Help You Grow, Eat, and Live Sustainably
If you want some more facts before making any decisions, let’s get into the details:
The source is content for this article is fao.org/3/i6474e/i6474e.pdf and fao.org/resources/infographics/infographics-details/en/c/285727/.
Part 7 of this mini series covered Soil Contamination and the transfer into the food chain. This time we’re looking at the loss of biodiversity in the soil.
Soil Biodiversity Loss
Soil biodiversity loss means the decline in the diversity of organisms present in soil that affects multiple ecosystem functions, including plant diversity, decomposition, nutrient retention and cycling, plant and animal health, soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions.
Soil and Biodiversity
Soils host approximately a quarter of our planet’s biodiversity! Soil is one of nature’s most complex ecosystems: it contains a myriad of organisms which interact and contribute to the global cycles that make all life possible.
A Typical Healthy Soil Might Contain:
- Vertebrate animals
- Earth worms
- Nematodes
- 20-30 species of mites
- 50-100 species of insects
- Hundreds of species of fungi
- Thousands of species of bacteria and actinomycetes
Over 1000 species of invertebrates may be found in 1 m² of forest soils.
Biodiversity is essential for food security and nutrition.
By preserving and boosting soil biodiversity, we enhance soil health, ensure a productive food system, improve rural livelihoods, and maintain a healthy environment.
Soil Organisms Are Responsible for Performing Vital Functions in the Soil Ecosystem:
- Maintenance of soil structure
- Regulation of soil hydrological processes
- Gas exchanges and carbon sequestration
- Nutrient cycling
- Soil detoxification
- Decomposition of organic matter
- Suppression of pests, parasites and diseases
- Sources of food and medicines
- Symbiotic and asymbiotic relationships with plants and their roots
- Plant growth control
The Soil Food Web
When these diverse soil organisms interact with one another and with the plants and animals in the ecosystem, they form a complex web of ecological activity.
First Trophic Level = Photosynthesizers:
- Plants: Shoots and roots
- Organic Matter: Waste, residue and metabolites from plants, animals and microbes
Second Trophic Level = Decomposers, Mutualists, Pathogens, Parasites, Root-Feeders:
- Nematodes: Root-feeders
- Fungi: Mycorrhizal and saprophytic
- Bacteria
Third Trophic Level = Shredders, Predators, Grazers:
- Arthropods: Shredders
- Nematodes: Fungal and bacterial feeders
- Protozoa: Amoebe, flagellates and ciliates
Fourth Trophic Level = Higher Level Predators:
- Arthropods: Predators
- Nematodes: Predators
Fifth and Higher Trophic Levels = Higher Level Predators:
- Birds
- Animals
Soil Biodiversity and Agriculture
Clearing forested land or grassland for cultivation affects the soil environment and drastically reduces the number and species of soil organisms.
The overuse or misuse of agro-chemicals has resulted in environmental degradation, particularly of soil and water resources.
Agricultural systems and agro-ecological practices such as: agroecology, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, organic farming and zero-tillage can sustainably increase farm productivity without degrading the soil and water resources.
You Can Improve Soils and Reverse Climate Change
I realised that the decisions I make when buying healthy food, give me the power to help climate change, encourage farmers to switch from degenerative to regenerative agriculture, and improve the health and happiness of my family.
Advocating for regenerative agriculture can seem completely removed from our day to day lives, however, the questions we ask in food shops, the healthy food we buy, and the conscious choices we make are all reminders that we have the power to improve our future and the health of planet earth.
Check-out our 10-part mini series on Conscious Buying Decisions to Help Climate Change with an article going live every week starting from 18th November 2021. You can also get the audio version by subscribing to our podcast or the video version by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
About World Soil Day 2021
Soil salinization and sodification are major soil degradation processes threatening ecosystem and are recognized as being among the most important problems at a global level for agricultural production, food security, and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. World Soil Day 2021 (#WorldSoilDay) and its campaign “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity” aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinization, increasing soil awareness, and encouraging societies to improve soil health.
Find Out More at UN FAO World Soil Day
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Suggested Reading
If you like the topic of this mini series, you might be interested in these reading suggestions with links to each book on Amazon.
Find Kiss the Ground by Josh Tickell Here on Amazon*
Find Soil Will Save Us by Kristin Ohlson Here on Amazon*
Find Soil, Grass, Hope by Courtney White Here on Amazon*
Find Dawn Again: Tracking the Wisdom of the Wild by Markegard and Doniga Here on Amazon*
Find Diet for a Hot Planet by Anna Lappé Here on Amazon*
Find Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life by David Montgomery Here on Amazon*
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Where Next?
There is so much inspiring information to give you ideas of how to help climate change by growing, eating, and living sustainably, you can:
- Read Our Articles
- Sign-Up to Our Free Email Newsletter
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- Try the Sustainability Roadmap
- Use the Company Directory
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Sources Used to Create This Piece
Production Notes
This was produced by me, James Walters, as a personal project to help stop climate change by inspiring others to grow, eat, and live sustainably.
Any advice given is the opinion of those involved and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice.
* We include links we think you will find useful. If you buy through those links, we may earn a small commission. It’s one way to support our work and to inspire as many people as possible.