Soil Health: The Foundation of Ecosystems and Human Existence

Soil, an immense and dynamic ecosystem, is home to countless organisms, including earthworms, arachnids, insects, fungi, and numerous bacterial species. It is the largest global carbon sink, holding over 2.5 trillion tons of carbon, and serves as the essential substrate for plant growth and ecosystem development.

The Importance of Soil

Soil is vital for human life, providing resources from building materials and fossil fuels to water and antibiotics. Fertile soils rich in carbon contribute to stable societies and developed economies, while regions lacking healthy soils often face poverty, instability, and socio-economic challenges. Regrettably, soil health is frequently neglected.

Threats to Soil Integrity

Soil degradation occurs in various forms, primarily through erosion, which has caused the loss of 57 billion metric tons of topsoil since the advent of agriculture in the U.S. central plains. This loss threatens food production and ecosystem sustainability. Since 1950, one-third of the world’s agricultural soil has become highly degraded, posing risks to food security, carbon sequestration, and climate stability.

Other soil abuses include monocropping, excessive use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticide residues, farm waste, and soil compaction. These practices diminish soil nutrients, harm beneficial biota, and lead to environmental contamination.

The Role of Biochar in Soil Restoration

Biochar, a form of biological charcoal, offers a regenerative solution for soil enhancement. By converting organic waste into biochar, soil fertility, crop yields, water retention, pollutant mitigation, pathogen resistance, and carbon sequestration are improved. Research suggests biochar could negate 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite its potential, biochar faces challenges such as high production costs, limiting its widespread adoption.

Exploring Alternative Soil Amendments

Coal-derived soil amendments present a lower-cost alternative to biochar. Research from the University of Wyoming highlights that pyrolyzed coal, or coal char, possesses similar benefits to biochar, offering an affordable means to enhance soil health and carbon retention.

As coal demand declines, coal char provides a promising avenue for soil improvement, leveraging a carbon-intensive resource in a sustainable manner.

Preserving and enhancing soil health is critical for ensuring food security and addressing climate change. Recognizing the value of soil and implementing sustainable practices are essential steps toward a resilient future.

About the Author

Dr. Lewis Ziska, an American plant physiologist, serves as an Associate Professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. His work focuses on environmental health sciences, and he is the author of Greenhouse Planet published by Columbia University Press.