December 5th is World Soil Day and on this day the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reminded that 95% of the food we consume comes directly or indirectly from our soils. Even artificial meat grown from pea protein requires no fewer soil nutrients than wheat or potatoes.
However, when the soil degrades rapidly, our diet loses these nutrients. The nutrient content of foods has decreased over the past 70 years. The UN estimates that two billion people suffer from trace element deficiencies.
About a third of the world's soil has already been mined. This loss makes the earth less productive and, as shown above, puts both the food system and human health at risk.
Agricultural methods, from tillage to deforestation to excessive grazing, accelerate soil degradation, which also reduces soil's ability to accumulate carbon.
Soil depletion is affecting regions around the world. Let's look at some numbers that show the state of soil around the world.
68% – Soil erosion in South America
Erosion affects more than 68% of soils in South America through deforestation and overgrazing. According to the Council for the Protection of Natural Resources, desertification threatens between 27 and 43% of the territory in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru
More than half of the land in Argentina, Mexico and Paraguay is "unsuitable for cultivation" due to desertification.
About 125 million people living in semi-arid countries and sub-humid regions are at risk.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, José Miguel Torrico, stated that "the annual cost of land depletion for Latin America and the Caribbean is estimated at US$ 60 billion per year".
17,3 centimeters - Losing ground in Iowa
Since 1850, Iowa has lost an average of 17,3 inches of its topsoil, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is estimated that at such a rate there will only be about 60 crops left before it completely disappears.
Meanwhile, soil erosion is costing the USA approximately $37,6 billion annually in lost productivity. Erosion can result in crop losses, livelihoods and biodiversity.
25% – risk of desertification of European countries
About a quarter of the territory of the European continent is threatened by desertification. Most of it is concentrated in southern Europe.
The Mediterranean is certainly the European region most prone to soil degradation and desertification, with the highest overall erosion and lowest soil organic matter content.
Recent studies state that “Population growth, rapid land-use changes, associated socio-economic activities, and climate change are putting severe pressure on the region’s soils.”
A large part of the world production of olive oil, nuts, tomatoes and wines is concentrated here. But the researchers argue that Mediterranean soils are "reaching critical limits for their ability to provide ecosystem services." These include agriculture and carbon capture.
More than 12,3% — share of degraded countries in Russia
In 2020, Russian scientists assessed the state of the countries in Russia based on the concept of a neutral balance of their deterioration. According to the “complete coverage” principle, the calculation for Russia as a whole shows a 12.3% share of degraded areas, which appears to be a strongly averaged indicator for a country with a high diversity of socio-economic and physico-geographical conditions. The variation in the proportion of degraded areas calculated using this method ranges from about 63-67% in the Rostov and Volgograd regions to less than 1% in the Amur, Kaluga and Ivanovo regions.
7,2 million tons – crop losses in India
Soil depletion is one of India's most pressing environmental problems. Almost two-thirds of countries are in a state of deterioration, meaning reduced land productivity.
Annual crop losses due to soil erosion in India are estimated at 7,2 million tons, equivalent to between 4 and 6,3 percent of annual agricultural production.
It is predicted that India will soon overtake China as the world's most populous country. This can further exacerbate the soil problem.
65% – Land mining in Africa
In Africa, up to 65% of productive land is being mined, and desertification is affecting 45% of the continent's territory.
A big part of this problem is deforestation, and it's no easy task either. For example, the complex web of poverty, ethnic strife and a growing population in Kenya's Olpusimore Forest Reserve are just a few factors leading to rampant deforestation and land degradation.
The net loss of forests in Africa continues to increase, and the latest estimate is that 4 million hectares of forest are lost each year.
Source: AgroBusiness (Russian)