News Highlight
- According to an FAO report, land use change and unsustainable practices have caused mild to severe eroding of most black soils.
Key Takeaway
- According to a new UN report, black soils, which feed the world’s population, are under threat, with most losing at least half of their soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks.
Food basket of the World: Black Soil
- Key findingsÂ
- Due to the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and changes in land use, black soil is more vulnerable than ever.
- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) issued the first global report on black soils today in honour of World Soil Day 2022.
- 95% of food comes directly or indirectly from soils.
- The soil can provide 15 of the 18 nutrients plants require if it is healthy.
Black Soil
- What is Black Soil?
- Black soils are characterised by very dark-coloured topsoil, rich in soil organic carbon.
- They are some of the world’s most prolific and fertile soils.
- They have been extensively cultivated and are crucial to producing cereals, tuber crops, oilseeds, pastures, and feed systems on a global scale.
- It is the food basket for many countries and is considered essential to the global food supply due to its inherent fertility and the variety of crops it supports.
- Iron, lime, calcium, potassium, aluminium, and magnesium are abundant in black soils, but nitrogen and phosphorus are deficient.
- They can contribute 10% of the global soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration potential and hold 8.2% of the world’s organic carbon (SOC) stocks.
- Why are black soils important?
- Black soils are frequently acknowledged as naturally productive and fertile soils that serve as the world’s and many nations’ primary food source.
- These soils enable exceptionally high crop productivity under favourable weather conditions.
- They are sensitive as potential primary sources of greenhouse gases due to their significant soil organic carbon (SOC) content.
- They are highly vulnerable to SOC losses and soil deterioration (such as erosion, crusting, and nutrient mining).
- Therefore, they require careful management to maintain their potential for productivity.
- As a result of their relevance to food security and climate change, black soils are of significant global importance.
Food security and Black soil
- Black soils are frequently acknowledged as naturally fertile and productive soils.
- They account for 62% of the world’s cropland and are used to develop 19% of all croplands.
- Global analysis
- Russia Federation: Chernozemic horizons are present in 60–70% of the country’s agricultural fields.
- One-fifth of China’s total grain production and one-third of its commodity grain are produced on 103 million acres of black soil in northeast China.
- 36.9% of the 196 million acres of black soil in the United States are used for crops and livestock.
- Argentina has 84 million acres of black soil, most of which are utilised for farming.
- Ecosystem services provided by black soils
- Black soils have good physical qualities, a lot of nutrients for crop growth, and organic carbon.
- They control field water supply, aid in drought and flood mitigation, and guarantee water quality.
- They serve as a storehouse for nutrients that the soil microbial community needs to grow, such as sugar, amino acids, and carboxylic acids.
- Why is black soil at risk?
- Black soils remain very sensitive to anthropogenic intervention.
- They are vulnerable to significant degradation due to SOC loss as well as:
- Soil erosion
- Soil compaction
- Anthropogenic soil acidity
- Soil biodiversity losses
- Soil nutrient imbalances
- Loss of stable aggregates
- Salination or solidification
Pic Courtesy: Down to Earth
Content Source: Down to Earth