{"id":1893,"date":"2023-10-31T19:18:43","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T17:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novasoil-project.eu\/?p=1893"},"modified":"2023-10-31T19:18:44","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T17:18:44","slug":"benefits-of-healthy-soil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novasoil-project.eu\/index.php\/2023\/10\/31\/benefits-of-healthy-soil\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of healthy soil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As discussed during the second preliminary meeting of the NOVASOIL project<\/a>, and despite the need; the absence of a legal concept defining what is meant by soil health<\/a><\/strong> could lead to misunderstandings, ambiguities and legal conflicts in situations where soil quality is a relevant factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as we have commented on previous occasions, many scientists have defined what soil health is, focusing on the capacity of soils to support production (plant and animal), ecosystem services (environment) and the well-being of living things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding what has happened to soils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soil is a constantly changing resource teeming with life, and its condition is fundamental both to food and fibre production and to the overall balance and functioning of ecosystems. The quality and health of soils (soil health<\/em>) play a critical role in the sustainability of agriculture and the health of the natural environment. Consequently, the health of plants, animals and humans is directly affected by anthropogenic management (Doran and Safley, 2002).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite being aware of this reality, and being the human beings that we are, we have dedicated our existence – especially since the industrialisation of the 18th century – to degrading them, along with the rest of the elements of the ecosystem, which we did not identify until well into the 20th century (R\u00edos de los Carmenado et al., 2016).  Since then, the rapid increase in the number of inhabitants of the planet has led and is leading to the intensification of agricultural practices in order to achieve an increase in agricultural production, and therefore the use of techniques, chemical products and tools to increase the yield of these spaces has been “necessary”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this perceived need has had negative consequences, as the focus on quantity has often led to the loss of soil health, the degradation of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity. These unbalanced actions have undermined the Earth’s ability to sustain life and biodiversity and represent a critical challenge that we must address in order to achieve a sustainable balance between our needs and respect for the natural environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human activities that have degraded soil health around the world include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n