Fertile soil is one of the greatest sources of life

Soil is the thin layer of material covering the earth’s surface and is formed from the weathering of rocks. It is made up mainly of mineral particles, organic materials, air, water and living organisms, which all interact slowly yet constantly. Most plants get their nutrients from the soil and they are the main source of food for humans, animals and birds. Therefore, most living things on land depend on soil for their existence. Soil is a valuable resource that needs to be carefully managed as it is easily damaged, washed or blown away. If we understand soil and manage it properly, we will avoid destroying one of the essential building blocks of our environment and our food security.

The formation of soil takes a very long time. In environments with a mild climate, it takes 200-400 years to form 1 cm of soil. In wet, tropical regions soil formation is faster, taking 200 years. To accumulate enough substances to make a soil fertile 3,000 years are needed.

Pollution
Pollution is a man-made problem, caused mainly by industrial activity, agriculture and human waste. Chemicals enter the soil in abnormal concentrations and pose a serious health risk to all living organisms, including humans.

Degradation
Soil is a delicate substance, that has evolved slowly over a long period of time. Its fertility is the result of a fine balance among its components. Human activity, even in its simplest forms, such as tilling and plowing, disturbs that balance. The result is a steady decrease in fertility, leading to the use of more chemicals and even less fertility until the soil becomes completely barren.

Erosion
The final stage of soil misuse. It happens when soil is entirely depleted of life, loses its cohesion and is blown away by winds or washed away by rains. This often means a permanent loss or, at best, a 3,000 year wait for new soil to develop.