IMPORTANCE OF SOIL - Maximillian Wolfson

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOIL

Why is soil important?

"If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function, no amount of money will save us."   

- David Suzuki 

Without soil the world can not function properly. It is essential that we have health and plentiful soil.

Healthy soil gives us clean air and water, crops and productive farming land, diverse wildlife and generally a beautiful world.

The seven most important uses of soil are the reason that soil is beautiful:

1. It is used to produce plants

Soil serves as a medium for growing plant. Without plants there is no food, which means that we will die. Without plants there is no oxygen, which is essential for humans to breath and therefore we die. 

2. It regulates the atmosphere

Soils modify the atmosphere by emitting and absorbing gases and dust. These gases include carbon dioxide and methane. Too much methane and carbon dioxide in our atmosphere can cause potential 

environmental and health problems.

3. It provides habitats that host biodiversity

Biodiversity is one of the key aspects to a healthy Earth and without soil it can not function.

Soil provides habitats for all animals to live in and as we are included in the animal kingdom, we therefore need a habitat.

4. It holds water

This means that the soil can absorbs and retain water. Water is essential to the existence of everything and when soil holds water this allows us to tap the water supplies in the soil and sustain our existence. Because soil holds water, it means that it acts as a flood barrier and a drainage system. 

5. It filters water

One of the worldwide problems of today is clean water. Soil naturally filters water that can be used constructively and efficiently when needed. It cleans the water before it moves to underground storage and it filters out unwanted substances.

6. It processes recycled material

Soils process recycled materials, including carbon, so that living things can use them over and over again. Soil helps to recycle nutrients for effective growth of plants.

7. It serves as an engineering media

Soil is used for everything. it is used for construction of foundations. It is used for roadbeds, dams and buildings. it is even used to preserve artifacts of human history and archaeology.

"Productive soils allow us to sustain the population of  life that we have, not only humans but all organisms in the environment." 

- Dr Gary Pierzynski

Unfortunately the very existence of soil is at stake. It has many threats and all of these threats to soil are caused by humans. Some of these threats include; deforestation, pollution, overgrazing and expanding urban areas. Because we are the cause of the threats to soil, it means that we are also the solution.

I hope that I have convinced you to start helping our soils.

To find out how you can help, visit these links:
Site 1: http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/soils/soil-properties/soil-management-series/introduction-to-soil-management/

Site 2: http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/10_Ways_to_Conserve_Soil
Site 3: http://www.arc2020.eu/2013/11/how-do-we-care-for-our-soil/

COMPLETED BY MAXIMILLIAN WOLFSON