UN report warns over half of soils are degraded and solutions remain unused
A UN Food and Agriculture Organisation study released on Aug 27 says more than 50 % of global soils are in poor condition, threatening food security and biodiversity, while proven restoration methods are rarely applied.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation released a new assessment on Aug 27 indicating that more than half of the world’s soils are in poor or very poor condition, endangering global food supplies and wildlife. Soils underpin 95 % of food production, contain 59 % of biodiversity and serve as the second-largest carbon reservoir after oceans, yet degradation is speeding up. The report shows that 52.5 % of surveyed regions have inadequate soil management, while only 14 % are managed well.
Erosion, depletion of soil organic carbon, nutrient mismanagement, salinisation, pollution and urban sprawl are cited as primary drivers, with climate change likely to worsen the situation. Established practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, agroforestry and better fertilizer use can restore soil health, but high upfront costs and limited access hinder adoption. The FAO urges stronger financial incentives, localized data and incorporation of indigenous knowledge. Results were unveiled at the COP17 desertification conference in Ulaanbaatar, following an earlier COP16 in Riyadh that failed to secure an agreement.
Why it matters
Soil health underpins food production, biodiversity and climate regulation, so its decline threatens food security and the environment.
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