According to FAO, today 33% of soils are already degraded and susceptible to compaction, salinisation, acidification and loss of nutrients.
Chemical pollutants and accumulation of non-biodegradable products compromise soil and water quality and can lead to a collapse of ecosystems.
Over the past two centuries, soil organic matter decreased by 8% globally as a result of unsustainable soil management practices (176 Gt C) and by 2050 further 36 Gt may be lost.
According to JRC, 20% of soils in Europe are subjected to soil loss in excess of 10 ton ha/yr and soil sealing causes an irreversible loss of productive soil amounting to 1,000 Km2/year. Soil degradation is affecting Europe and in particular the Mediterranean Region, where many areas are at high or very high risk of desertification including Cyprus (99%), Spain (74%), Italy (59%), Portugal (50%) and Romania (30%).
A study published by CNR, ENEA and ISPRA in 2015 revealed that 21.3% of soil in Italy is at high risk of desertification and 41% of this area is located in Central and Southern Regions like Sicily, Sardinia, Basilicata, Apulia, Campania, Molise, Marche and Abruzzo. According to the study, 4.3% of Italian soil is already unproductive and 4.7% has been affected by desertification.
It’s beneath our feet but we never think about its value. We tread on it, we mistreat it, but a healthy, fertile soil means life. It’s time to take care of the soil and each one of us can and must make a difference.
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