Nature Blog Network

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Soil Is Declared a National Resource

Senate Resolution Shines Spotlight On The Importance Of Soils.

This is pretty damn cool and frankly, I need to admit I never thought of soil being a resource before. It makes absolutely perfect sense though.

"This resolution comes at a time when soil is widely undervalued," says Rattan Lal, Ohio State University, SSSA Past President. "Soil, and specifically sound soil management, is essential in our continued quest to increase the production of food, feed, fiber, and fuel while maintaining and improving the environment, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Being the essence of all terrestrial life and ecosystem services, we cannot take the soils for granted. Soil is the basis of survival for present and future generations."

The Senate resolution passed six months after the European Union's Soil Protection Framework was tabled due to irreconcilable differences among Parliament membership.

(snip)

"My years growing up working on our family farm taught me the value of hard work and the importance of soil," says Senator [Sherrod] Brown [D-OH]. "Often overlooked, healthy soil is vital to maintaining our natural resources and feeding our nation. This resolution is an important first step in cultivating awareness of our nation's soil policies."

Three cheers for soil!

But importantly, protecting and managing soils, protects and manages soil invertebrates!

5 comments:

  1. Is it only terrestrial? Sediments are a wonderful resource too. Nothing like mucking in the sediments for some great invert collections.

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  2. "Ooh there's some lovely filth over here!"

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  3. I recently read Collapse by Jarred Diamond. That really hammered home to me just how important soil management is, from the perspective of past societies who have failed through failing to preserve it.

    It's a great book; I'd recommend it to anyone.

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  4. Thanks for the recommendation Will, just put it on my amazon wishlist!

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  5. Excellent; I'm glad to hear it.

    In the interests of clarity, I should point out that it's not just about soil; it's about why societies collapse. It's just that, as you might expect, environmental mismanagement is something of a recurring theme.

    Anyway, hope you enjoy it.

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