Approximately 25% of the earth’s surface is covered with soil; soil forms incredibly slowly, taking hundreds to thousands of years to create just a few centimeters. Soil formation and maintenance are integral to our planet’s ecosystem, which is why soil health and its role in climate change are essential. Soil acts as a carbon absorber, a “carbon sink,” as it’s aptly nicknamed, as it stores large amounts of carbon within it that prevents it from being released into the atmosphere and acting as a greenhouse gas.
The crux of the problem occurs when, due to climate change, the soil is degraded. This releases more carbon into the atmosphere, worsening the effects of climate change. Poor soil health and climate change can cause lesser fertility and soil erosion, affecting food security.
Carbon Sequestration: Soil as a Carbon Sink
When soil health is good, it holds stable organic compounds, including large amounts of carbon, reducing its impact on the atmosphere. The organic matter within the soil binds and accumulates with the minerals, leading to the creation of aggregate compounds that naturally retain carbon within the soil without releasing it into the atmosphere or environment.
As soil degradation occurs due to the worsening of climate change, soil health declines, and these aggregate compounds eventually start breaking down. As topsoil is exposed, the carbon that was retained earlier will be exposed to oxidation, releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere and directly contributing to global warming, making this a constant cycle.
Soil organic matter or SOM is the organic matter naturally found in soil, indicating its health according to varying levels. It originates from decaying plants, animals, animal residue, and organic matter. It usually consists of carbon, nitrogen, and other essential nutrients.
Healthy soil contains microbes, fungi, and bacteria that aid decomposition, aeration, and carbon sequestration. In degraded soil, however, the absence or reduced presence of organic matter, fungi, and bacteria can lead to slow decomposition, limiting its carbon storage abilities.
Also Read: Methods Of Biosequestration Of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Soil Health and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Soil erosion is a primary effect of climate change on the environment that plays a primary role in aggravating global warming and promoting the cycle of greenhouse gas emissions. Soil health plays a major role in emissions and its carbon retaining capacity. Practices like crop rotation, reduced tillage, and organic compost aid in healthy soil management meant for efficient aeration, soil compaction, a balance of soil nutrients, and a thriving micro biodiversity zone.
Such activities reduce the release of Methane (CH₄) and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) emissions. Aerated soil is extremely well-structured and prevents methane buildup, allowing oxygen buildup to support methane-consuming microorganisms.
Limiting fertilizers limits N₂O emissions, promoting a healthier nitrogen cycle primarily activated by cover cropping and integrated pest management.
Healthy Soil :
- Water Retention Ability- High retention supports sustained plant growth.
- Impact on Climate Resilience- Helps plants survive droughts and acts as a buffer against temperature fluctuations.
Eroded Soil :
- Water Retention Ability- Poor retention, prone to nutrient runoff.
- Impact on Climate Resilience- More vulnerable to drought and extreme weather, reducing food security and agricultural productivity.
Also Read: Soil Microbes: The Invisible World Beneath Our Feet
Soil Health Management Practices for Climate Change Mitigation
Soil health is mainly dependent on environmental and climatic influences, although it can be mitigated and managed mainly by soil management practices controlled by humans or machinery. This practice impacts agricultural productivity, yield, and climate resilience. Soil biodiversity and soil health are mainly dependent on soil health management practices.
| Practice | Benefits to Soil Health | Climate Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Crop Rotation | – Prevents nutrient depletion by alternating crops that use and replenish different nutrients.
– Enhances soil biodiversity by fostering diverse microbial communities. – Alternating between planting deep and shallow-rooted crops to promote better soil aeration and soil porosity. |
– Reduces dependency on synthetic fertilizers, decreasing CO₂ emissions from their production.
– Improves soil resilience to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. |
| Cover Cropping | – Add organic matter by incorporating crop residues into the soil.
– Provides consistent ground cover, reducing topsoil loss and protecting soil from erosion. -Reduces water runoff and nutrient leaching and graining of soil, all the while improving water retention and infiltration. |
– Enhances soil carbon storage through increased root biomass.
– Reduces CO₂ emissions by minimizing soil exposure to erosion. |
| Reduced Tillage | – Minimizes disruption to soil layers as it maintains layers of soil structure.
– Enhances nutrient cycling and encourages soil organisms like earthworms and microbes. – Reduces the risk of soil erosion, keeping carbon and nutrients intact. |
– Prevents CO₂ release from exposed organic matter during tilling.
– Helps retain stored carbon in the soil by avoiding mechanical disturbance. |
| Composting | – Enriches soil organic matter by adding decomposed plant and food waste.
– Boosts activity of microorganisms, supporting nutrient cycling and soil health. – Improves soil fertility by supplying nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. |
– Increases carbon sequestration by building soil organic carbon stocks.
– Reduces methane emissions by diverting organic waste from landfills that would otherwise decompose anaerobically. |
Also Read: Management And Remediation of Polluted Soils
Policy and Community Actions to Promote Soil Health
Soil health and climate change go hand in hand. One exacerbates the other, which makes it difficult to retain a standard of quality for both the government and local farmer education programs and organizations.
Government Incentives:
- Financial support via subsidies and grants provides support to farmers in covering sustainable practices and eco-friendly equipment such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, and crop rotation.
- Implementation of International frameworks such as Carbon Credits finalized in COP29 allows farmers to be rewarded for practicing agroforestry or composting for carbon sequestration.
- Tax incentives such as reductions, tax returns, and tax breaks can be included as an additional benefit to push farmers to switch to more sustainable practices or adopt tools that support green technologies, such as precision agriculture equipment.
Farmer Education Programs:
- Hands-on training via online and in-person workshops and seminars for training to implement more sustainable soil health management practices.
- Establishment of exemplarily regulated model farms that showcase successful examples of sustainable soil practices.
- Introducing recreational reforestation initiatives such as planting native tree species to combat soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and increase carbon storage.
Soil health management and climate change are integral factors that determine the future of our planet. Both of these include policies,frameworks , community driven work and government-backed initiatives that can provide the framework and resources, while grassroots actions bring widespread participation and localized solutions. Together, they create resilient ecosystems and healthier soils while addressing climate change.
Also Read: What Is The Best Plant And Soil Type For A Rainwater Garden?
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