Soil health and climate change: a critical nexus

Description

A healthy soil has the capacity to sustain biological activity, maintain environmental quality and promote plant and animal health. This chapter reviews the impact of climate change on the key components of soil health, including soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Holistically, under the nexus of climate change and farming systems, this chapter also reviews some of the key management practices that have been demonstrated to improve soil health and deliver climate benefits. To address the conundrum of building soil health under a changing climate, this chapter proposes a framework for wider implementation of sustainable management approaches for improving soil health globally. The chapter looks ahead to future research trends in this area, including multidisciplinary collaboration and communications, and provides guidance on further reading on the subject.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Impacts of climate change on the key components of soil health 3 The nexus of climate change and agricultural management strategies 4 Soil health and climate change: strategic implications 5 Future trends and conclusion 6 Where to look for further information 7 References