The Role of Soils in Sustainability, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities
Soils are crucial life supporters and nutrient providers, their functionality impacted by their nutritional balance, pH, and organic matter content. These substrates help regulate water, support diverse organisms, and play a critical role in carbon sequestration, especially in the context of climate...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Ecologies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4133/4/3/36 |
| _version_ | 1797580540609560576 |
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| author | José Telo da Gama |
| author_facet | José Telo da Gama |
| author_sort | José Telo da Gama |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Soils are crucial life supporters and nutrient providers, their functionality impacted by their nutritional balance, pH, and organic matter content. These substrates help regulate water, support diverse organisms, and play a critical role in carbon sequestration, especially in the context of climate change. However, soils are under threat from anthropogenic and climatic pressures, warranting active resource management strategies. The European Union (EU) has acknowledged soil sustainability’s importance, encouraging eco-friendly agricultural practices and enhanced soil carbon storage. However, the criticality of soils is often overlooked when establishing global sustainable development goals. Counteracting soil degradation is key in battling desertification and influenced by factors like unsustainable agriculture, deforestation, and poor irrigation. Innovative solutions like circular economy approaches and sustainable biomass utilization are necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, improving dietary habits and reducing food waste can help mitigate the environmental impact of food consumption, with a shift towards plant-based proteins being more sustainable. Addressing these challenges will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:51:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bda0759f98d1435db8a4fde7b037063d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-4133 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:51:30Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecologies |
| spelling | doaj.art-bda0759f98d1435db8a4fde7b037063d2023-11-19T10:18:06ZengMDPI AGEcologies2673-41332023-08-014355256710.3390/ecologies4030036The Role of Soils in Sustainability, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and OpportunitiesJosé Telo da Gama0VALORIZA—Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-555 Portalegre, PortugalSoils are crucial life supporters and nutrient providers, their functionality impacted by their nutritional balance, pH, and organic matter content. These substrates help regulate water, support diverse organisms, and play a critical role in carbon sequestration, especially in the context of climate change. However, soils are under threat from anthropogenic and climatic pressures, warranting active resource management strategies. The European Union (EU) has acknowledged soil sustainability’s importance, encouraging eco-friendly agricultural practices and enhanced soil carbon storage. However, the criticality of soils is often overlooked when establishing global sustainable development goals. Counteracting soil degradation is key in battling desertification and influenced by factors like unsustainable agriculture, deforestation, and poor irrigation. Innovative solutions like circular economy approaches and sustainable biomass utilization are necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, improving dietary habits and reducing food waste can help mitigate the environmental impact of food consumption, with a shift towards plant-based proteins being more sustainable. Addressing these challenges will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4133/4/3/36soil sustainabilityecosystem servicesclimate changeEU agricultural strategiesdesertificationsustainable development goals |
| spellingShingle | José Telo da Gama The Role of Soils in Sustainability, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities Ecologies soil sustainability ecosystem services climate change EU agricultural strategies desertification sustainable development goals |
| title | The Role of Soils in Sustainability, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities |
| title_full | The Role of Soils in Sustainability, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Soils in Sustainability, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Soils in Sustainability, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities |
| title_short | The Role of Soils in Sustainability, Climate Change, and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities |
| title_sort | role of soils in sustainability climate change and ecosystem services challenges and opportunities |
| topic | soil sustainability ecosystem services climate change EU agricultural strategies desertification sustainable development goals |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4133/4/3/36 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT josetelodagama theroleofsoilsinsustainabilityclimatechangeandecosystemserviceschallengesandopportunities AT josetelodagama roleofsoilsinsustainabilityclimatechangeandecosystemserviceschallengesandopportunities |