Soil — an essential component of the biosphere and the global food system (critical assessment of the situation)

Abstract

Soil is the basis of food systems at all levels. Preservation of the ecological functions of the soil cover, its condition in the territories newly introduced or withdrawn from agricultural use determines the degree and time of the onset of environmental risks, as well as risks and threats to food security.

The global value and cost of soil resources is increasing. Russia has a maximum soil cover of approximately 14,5 million km2—one sixth of the planetary. Soils, which are a unique national wealth and strategic resource, are underestimated. The volumes of applied agrochemicals are insufficient for the reproduction of fertility.

The achievement of food security indicators in the country and the export of food pro ducts occur due to non-reimbursable expenses of soil fertility reserves. There are no state documents that would clearly and unequivocally determine how many arable soils and agricultural land are needed to conduct modern agricultural production and fulfill tasks for sustain able development goals.

References

1. Bringezu S., Schutz H., Pengue W. et al. Assessing Global Land Use: Balancing Consumption with Sustainable Supply. A Report of the Working Group on Land and Soils of the International Resource Panel. P., 2014.

2. Cremadesa R. et al. Ten principles to integrate the wate—renergy—land nexus with climate services for co-producing local and regional integrated assessments // Sci. Total Environ. 2019. Vol. 693. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.133662 (дата обращения: 20.04.2020).

3. Global Food Policy Report: Building Inclusive Food Systems. Washington, 2020.

4. Hatfield J.L., Sauer Th.J., Cruse R.M. Soil: The Forgotten Piece of the Water, Food, Energy Nexus // Advances in Agronomy. 2017. Vol. 143. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.agron.2017.02.001 (дата обращения: 20.04.2020).

5. Keesstra S.D. et al. The significance of soils and soil science towards realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals // SOIL. 2016. Vol. 2. URL: https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-111-2016 (дата обращения: 20.04.2020).

6. Land Restoration for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: An International Resource Panel Think Piece / IRP. Nairobi, 2019. URL: https://www.resourcepanel.org/file/1272/download?token=guufxUz3 (дата обращения: 20.04.2020).

7. MAGIC Nexus Policy Brief: Soil as the “missing link” for the Water—Energy—Food—Environment Nexus. URL: https://www.water-energy-food.org/resources/resources-detail// (дата обращения: 20.04.2020).

8. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2019—2028. P.; Rome, 2019.

9. Olawuyi D. Sustainable development and the water—energy—food nexus: Legal challenges and emerging solutions // Environ. Sci. Policy. 2020. Vol. 103. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.10.009 (дата обращения: 20.04.2020). 28. Soil and Sustainable Development Goals / Ed. By R. Lal et al. Stuttgart, 2018.

10. Status of the World’s Soil Resources: Main Report / Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils. Rome, 2015.

11. The International Code of Conduct for the sustainable use and management of fertilizers / FAO. Rome, 2019.

12. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. Safeguarding against economic slowdowns and downturns / FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. Rome, 2019.

13. The Water—Energy—Food Nexus. A new approach in support of food security and sustainable agriculture. Rome, 2014.

14. Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management / Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome, 2017