Soil is significant in two main ways in sustainable development - as the basis of agriculture, the living substrate on which crops are grown, and as a building and insulating material.
Soil in agriculture
Soil consists of eroded rock particles (notably sand, silt and clay), organic matter (humus). and a wide range of organisms, including earthworms, bacteria and fungi.
Our understanding of soil has grown enormously in recent years. The common view of soil was as a source of physical support and chemical substances (natural and artificial) which act as nutrients.
Science now understand it to be much more than this - that soil ecology, with soil microorganisms which break down the rocky components of soil, release nutrients in the process, as well as interacting directly with the plant's roots.
The soil category on Appropedia focuses on this aspect.
Soil in construction
Soil is used in natural building (see earthen construction) methods as a building material, as insulation and as thermal mass.
For pages related to soil in construction, see Category:Earthen construction.
See also
- Soil structure
- Soil remineralization
- Healthy soil, healthy plants
- Composting
- Biochar
- Fertilizers
- Manure
- Humanure
- Effective microorganisms
- Growing in permaculture
- Living with the Soil (CTA - GTZ, 28 p.)
- On the care of soils
- Soil-Friendly Planting
- Soil fertility and management (Peace Corps, 1981, 283 p.)
- Original:Soil Preparation Equipment (GTZ, 1991, 18 p.)
