Philippine E-Journals

Ethics and Science of Soil Conservation

Alexander Waller

 

Abstract:

Since the dawn of the agricultural use of the thin layer of “dirt” that covers terrestrial Earth, the duration of a number of human civilizations has been limited by the fertility of their soils. Currently, approximately one third of all agricultural land is degraded and this degradation continues at a rate approaching one per cent annually. As the global human population continues to rise, increasing pressure is being put upon a widening range of land and soils. Soil is much more than just mineral dust used to anchor and “feed” plants for our consumption; ideally, it is a vibrant interdependent community of organisms from all living kingdoms bound to solid substrates or swimming within an aqueous microcosm brimming with nutrients. The concept of fertility alone may obscure the need to assess and value overall soil health, and in a similar way a mere economic assessment of soil services in terms of monetary values, productivity and profits clouds the need to appreciate the wealth of life and living nature of soils. This paper outlines the constituents of soil, human dependence on soil health, the main causes and consequences of soil depreciation. It suggests possible technical and behavioural solutions to soil degradation and the related ethical issues. Finally, the author recommends some approaches to assist educators who share the goal of empowering students to achieve soil regeneration.