Why soils are key to the sustainable intensification of agriculture in the face of climate change

Soil is the fundamental natural resource on which all agricultural businesses depend. Many demands are made of soil, including increasing food supply (quantity, quality and timeliness of production) and resisting the damaging effects of extreme weather events associated with climate change. The way we manage soils today could be compromising their ability in the future to deliver a range of ecosystem goods and services including food production, the storage of water, nutrients and carbon, and the protection of biodiversity. These functions are directly linked to individuals’ health and wellbeing, and national socio-economic status. Sustainable soil management policies and practices should maintain economic crop production, support farmers’ livelihoods and protect the environment, so that short- and long term sustainability goals can be met.