Soil functions

Even though we are mostly unaware of it in our everyday lives, soils play important roles and provide materials and ‘services’ without which our modern lives would be impossible. Producing our food is an obvious one. Filtering our water and buffering harmful substances are other vital aspects.

This section highlights some of the contexts in which soils play crucial roles, and where wise soil management can make all the difference.

If you have never heard about soil functions before, read our introductory text on the topic.

Soils and land use
Soils and water
Soils and biodiversity
Soils and climate
Towards sustainable soil management

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