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Soil Ecosystem Services
Soil Ecosystem Services
Soils are a hidden, often-overlooked natural asset providing essential functions to our planet and society. These functions are known as soil ecosystem services, which support food, fiber, and fuel production, carbon storage, nutrient cycling, flood regulation, and others that are essential for humanity.
Soils are a hidden, often-overlooked natural asset providing essential functions to our planet and society. These functions are known as soil ecosystem services, which support food, fiber, and fuel production, carbon storage, nutrient cycling, flood regulation, and others that are essential for humanity.
The figure below was created by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and summarized key soil ecosystem services. A detailed illustration of soil ecosystem services can be found in the Soil Science Society of America.
The figure below was created by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and summarized key soil ecosystem services. A detailed illustration of soil ecosystem services can be found in the Soil Science Society of America.
Among all the soil functions, the water stored in the soil is very special to us (known as "green water"). Soil water/moisture connects the air, land, and water bodies (e.g., rivers, lakes, groundwater, oceans) and plays an important role in the ecosystem. The example below shows that plants can only grow well in soils that have the right amount of water (neither too dry - "drought" nor too wet - "flooding").
Among all the soil functions, the water stored in the soil is very special to us (known as "green water"). Soil water/moisture connects the air, land, and water bodies (e.g., rivers, lakes, groundwater, oceans) and plays an important role in the ecosystem. The example below shows that plants can only grow well in soils that have the right amount of water (neither too dry - "drought" nor too wet - "flooding").
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