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Soil Degradation
Globally, food security depends on whether or not soils are in good condition to produce crops.
According to the United Nations (UN) estimates, about 12 million hectares of farmland a year become severely degraded per year. Soils get damaged by factors such as erosion, overgrazing, overexposure to pollutants, monoculture planting, soil compaction and land-use conversion. Research shows that this kind of traditional ‘industrialised’ farming has a negative impact on our health.
Regenerative Agriculture, which blends modern discoveries in soil biology with indigenous wisdom, is one of the biggest solutions of the twenty-first century. Yet, it is only starting to come into the conversation. Regenerative Agriculture describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.
According to the United Nations (UN) estimates, about 12 million hectares of farmland a year become severely degraded per year. Soils get damaged by factors such as erosion, overgrazing, overexposure to pollutants, monoculture planting, soil compaction and land-use conversion. Research shows that this kind of traditional ‘industrialised’ farming has a negative impact on our health.
Regenerative Agriculture, which blends modern discoveries in soil biology with indigenous wisdom, is one of the biggest solutions of the twenty-first century. Yet, it is only starting to come into the conversation. Regenerative Agriculture describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.
How it works
A great deal of emphasis is placed on looking holistically at the agro-ecosystem. Key techniques include:
Conservation tillage: adopting low- or no-till practices. Do not turn over soil with a machine. Leave the natural nutrients in the soil. Keep the soil covered with an organic mulch instead which will break down over time, adding more organic matter to the soil.
Diversity: different plants release different carbohydrates (sugars) through their roots. Create the rich, varied, and nutrient-dense soils that lead to more productive yields. Creating relationships between different layers of the forest, such as the shrubs, the trees, creatures, the ground cover all helps to enrich the soil.
Rotation and cover crops: by rotating crops and deploying cover crops strategically, farms and gardens can infuse soils with more and more diverse soil organic matter, often while avoiding disease and pest problems naturally. Always remember, bare soil is bad soil.
Mess with it less: in addition to minimizing physical disturbance, regenerative agriculture practitioners also often seek to be cautious about chemical or biological activities that also can damage long-term soil health. Misapplication of fertilizers and other soil amendments can disrupt the natural relationship between microorganisms and plant roots.
Trees are one of the best partners. Trees reduce soil erosion, increase fertility and help soil obtain moisture. Decaying leaves that fall onto the ground turn into nutrients for tree growth and promote microorganism development.
You can help add to the natural and continuous cycle of the ecosystem by joining our monthly subscription enabling tree planting activities at different projects around the world.
A great deal of emphasis is placed on looking holistically at the agro-ecosystem. Key techniques include:
Conservation tillage: adopting low- or no-till practices. Do not turn over soil with a machine. Leave the natural nutrients in the soil. Keep the soil covered with an organic mulch instead which will break down over time, adding more organic matter to the soil.
Diversity: different plants release different carbohydrates (sugars) through their roots. Create the rich, varied, and nutrient-dense soils that lead to more productive yields. Creating relationships between different layers of the forest, such as the shrubs, the trees, creatures, the ground cover all helps to enrich the soil.
Rotation and cover crops: by rotating crops and deploying cover crops strategically, farms and gardens can infuse soils with more and more diverse soil organic matter, often while avoiding disease and pest problems naturally. Always remember, bare soil is bad soil.
Mess with it less: in addition to minimizing physical disturbance, regenerative agriculture practitioners also often seek to be cautious about chemical or biological activities that also can damage long-term soil health. Misapplication of fertilizers and other soil amendments can disrupt the natural relationship between microorganisms and plant roots.
Trees are one of the best partners. Trees reduce soil erosion, increase fertility and help soil obtain moisture. Decaying leaves that fall onto the ground turn into nutrients for tree growth and promote microorganism development.
You can help add to the natural and continuous cycle of the ecosystem by joining our monthly subscription enabling tree planting activities at different projects around the world.
