When Soil won't Produce Growth

Soil is a fragile layer covering the Earth that supports all forms of life. It consists of diverse species that create a dynamic and complex ecosystem and is considered one of the most valuable resources for humans. However, the increased demand for agricultural commodities has led to the conversion of forests and grasslands into farm fields and pastures. Agriculture practices often result in soil erosion which can't be sustained by plants such as coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybean, and wheat.

It's frightening that half of the planet's topsoil has been lost in the last 150 years due to the damaging impacts of agriculture. Apart from erosion, other aspects of agriculture such as compaction, loss of soil structure, nutrient degradation, and soil salinity also affect soil quality, which can lead to extreme problems.

To learn more about our earth and the soil that produces growth visit world;ife.org

By Anita Johnson-Brown|Editor|The Los Angeles News

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