BREAKING NEW GROUND

Soil health is typically measured by its nutrient content, by presence of elements like nitrogen and phosphorus. No country in the world measures it in terms of soil biodiversity-a counting of underground faunal populations and microorganisms.

- Rohini Krishnamurthy

However, things have changed a bit over the past two decades. Scientists increasingly associate soil biodiversity with improved yields and plant health. Research also indicates that a soil high in microbial activity is better at carbon sequestration and in preventing runoff during floods. Given soil's link to food security, as well as to climate mitigation and adaptation, scientists are now developing new diagnostic tools to measure soil health. Since the tools and the processes of measuring soil biodiversity are quite expensive and labour-intensive, countries are working to make them accessible to all. A report by Rohini Krishnamurthy

BENEATH OUR FEET lies a world teeming with life, often overlooked in its significance. Soils, far from being mere dirt, are alive, breathing entities that play a crucial role in sustaining life above and below ground. They serve as the backbone of agriculture and store water, playing an indispensable role in our ecosystem. Their importance will only grow in the future because the world, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will have to increase its food production by 60 per cent by 2050 to feed an ever-increasing population.

Yet, amid their critical role, soils face unprecedented threats. Human activities such as overexploitation and improper land-use practices are rapidly degrading and eroding these vital ecosystems. Already, about 33 per cent of global soils are degraded and 90 per cent could meet this fate by 2050, warns FAO. It also does not help that soil is a finite resource, taking up to 1,000 years to produce a mere 2-3 centimetres.