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. The soil category on Appropedia focuses on this aspect.
Complexity of soil
The soil, be it of the desert, forest or the swamp, is a mixture of the result of the weathering of rocks, the mineral substrate, and an almost infinite complex of microorganisms in a bewildering series of interacting ecosystems. The soil microbiota may be considered as the basic flora and fauna of this planet since every living thing on Earth's land depends directly or indirectly on the health of Earth's soil microbiota. The sea has a similar situation.
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.
Care of soils
Throughout his history, man has destroyed far more soil than remains for his use. This futile act flies in the face of the fact that, it is not all that difficult to defend and improve the soils in use, plus the fact that such improved soils grow crops producing healthier, more nourishing and flavorful foods. Here we deal with how to get your hands dirty in benefit of man and his Earth.
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.)
- Soil-Friendly Planting
- Soil fertility and management (Peace Corps, 1981, 283 p.)
- Original:Soil Preparation Equipment (GTZ, 1991, 18 p.)
