AUTHOR: CLISTENES WILLIAMS ARAÚJO DO NASCIMENTO
Professor at UFRPE and member of the Pernambuco Academy of Sciences
Soils: the basis for sustaining life and the future of Brazil
When we think of essential natural resources, such as water and air, it is easy to forget the soil, the invisible cloak under our feet that sustains life on our planet. However, it is thanks to the ground that we have food on the table, clothes to wear and even the air we breathe. Soil is the basis of almost every ecosystem, and understanding its importance is essential to ensure a sustainable future. In honor of World Soil Day, celebrated on December 5, we will explore the vital role that this feature plays, especially in Brazil.
Soils: What are they and why they are so important?
Soils are formed over millions of years by the interaction of rocks, organic matter, water and living organisms. They are not just a mixture of minerals, but living ecosystems, full of microorganisms, fungi and small animals that perform fundamental functions for earth health.
Among the main functions of the soil, we highlight:
Food Production: Soil is the basis of agriculture and supports the production of 95% of the food we consume. This is where plants absorb essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to grow and develop.
Water Cycle: The soil acts like a giant sponge, storing and filtering the rainwater and gradually releasing it to the rivers and grounds. This natural process is essential to ensure freshwater supply on the planet.
Climate Regulation: Soils store large amounts of carbon, helping to regulate the global climate. When the soil is healthy, it can capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, helping to reduce the effects of climate change.
Biodiversity: The soil houses an incredible variety of organisms-it is estimated that a teaspoon of fertile soil contains more microorganisms than the world human population. This diversity is essential to maintain the health of ecosystems, promoting natural balance.
The soil in Brazil: a unique and threatened wealth
Brazil has one of the largest cultivable areas in the world and fertile soils that allow large -scale agricultural production, with the country being one of the largest food exporters such as soy, corn and coffee. This fertile soil is the basis for national agricultural production, which represents a significant portion of Brazilian GDP and is fundamental for the food security of the country and the world.
However, despite its importance, Brazilian soil faces serious challenges. Disordered expansion of agriculture, intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation and burnings have endangered soil health in various regions of the country. When the soil is degraded, it loses its ability to support plants, retain water and store carbon, which has serious consequences for the environment and the economy.
Studies show that soil degradation in Brazil affects approximately 100 million hectares, especially in Cerrado and Amazonian areas. Loss of fertile soil leads to decreased agricultural productivity, erosion and increased risk of floods and droughts. In addition, soil degradation contributes to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, aggravating climate change.
Soils and sustainability: a necessary path for the future
Protecting and restoring soils is essential to building a sustainable future. Without healthy soils, it will not be possible to achieve global goals to combat hunger, climate protection and biodiversity conservation. In Brazil, sustainable agricultural practices, such as conservation agriculture, crop rotation and the use of integrated management techniques, are essential for preserving soil health and ensuring continuity of agricultural production.
Regenerative agriculture is one of those sustainable approaches that is gaining prominence. This practice focuses on the construction of soil health, rather than just maximizing production. Among the techniques used are soil coverage with plants to prevent erosion, the addition of organic matter to improve fertility and the use of coverage crops to enrich the soil with nutrients. Studies show that these practices can increase soil carbon storage capacity, making it an important climate mitigation tool.
In addition, soil protection public policies are essential. Incentives for sustainable agricultural practices, degraded areas recovery programs, and awareness of the importance of soil can help preserve such an essential resource.
Soils and climate change: the role of Brazil in mitigation
As one of the largest agricultural powers in the world, Brazil plays a key role in the fight against climate change. The preservation and restoration of Brazilian soils can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as healthy soil acts as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, soil degradation, caused by inadequate practices, has the opposite effect: releases stored carbon, intensifying global warming.
Given this, it is important that Brazil invests in soil management practices that keep and increase carbon sequestration, contributing to the commitments made in the Paris Agreement. Protecting our soils means protecting the global climate and ensuring a safer future for everyone.
Soils and food security: the importance for Brazil and the world
On a planet with a growing population, ensuring food security is one of the biggest challenges today. Fertile and well maintained soil is essential to produce quality and sufficient foods. In Brazil, where agriculture plays a fundamental economic and social role, soil health is crucial to meet internal demand and to export agricultural products that feed millions of people around the world.
But degraded soils produce less, and fertility reduction directly affects culture productivity. This makes the soil a strategic resource for global food security. When we take care of the ground, we guarantee that it can continue to produce food and support lives, both in Brazil and beyond our borders.
Education and awareness: a way to protect soils
In Brazil, soil is still a little valued resource, and many people are unaware of their importance for life on the planet. Awareness of soil relevance should begin in schools and extend to the whole of society. World Soil Day, celebrated on December 5, is an opportunity to reflect on this feature and understand how we can all contribute to its protection.
Universities and research centers play a crucial role in this process, developing soil health studies and best management practices. In addition, awareness campaigns and events that promote knowledge about the ground can help change the way the public sees this feature.
The future of the soil depends on us
The soil is one of the foundations of life on earth, but it is also a fragile resource that needs constant care. In Brazil, soil preservation is essential to ensure continuity of agriculture, protect biodiversity, mitigate climate change and ensure food safety.
So that we can enjoy soil benefits for future generations, it is essential to adopt sustainable management practices, invest in environmental protection policies and promote awareness of the importance of soil. Brazilian soil is a national wealth, and its preservation is a commitment to our future and that of the planet.
On World Soil Day, let’s remember that when we take care of the ground, we are taking care of the base that sustains life. After all, without soil, there are no plantations, forests, cities or future. The soil is more than earth under our feet – it is the essence of life and deserves our respect and protection.
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