World Soil Day

  World Soil Day  highlights the value of healthy soil and promotes the sustainable management of soil resources. The day urges individuals to consider sustainably managing soil resources and increases public awareness of the significant environmental and economic issues that s oil degradation can lead to.  The World Soil Day was first suggested in 2002 by the  International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS),  and after being officially adopted by the  United Nations General Assembly  in 2013, it took place officially for the first time in 2014. The day looks to address the rising issues with soil management and raise awareness of the value of preserving healthy ecosystems for people, business, and planet.

  While productivity is an indirect indicator of a status of a soil, it is a critical indicator of the overall Sustainable Soil Management Practices.

  The Chemical, Physical and Biological Status of a soil.

  Land conversion and subsequent soil sealing for settlements and infrastructure affect all soils, but are of particular concern on productive, arable soils because of their importance for food production and food security and nutrition, and circular economy targets. In many places, urban sprawl affects the most productive soils adjacent to the cities and settlements. Soil sealing and land conversion causes a largely irreversible loss of some or all soil functions and the ecosystem services they provide. • Considering the total value of soils and to ensure the preservation of productive, arable soils, existing policies, relevant laws and land use planning procedures for the development of settlements and infrastructure should be reviewed as appropriate; • Where policy and legislation aim to minimize land conversion, measures should be implemented to encourage densification and re-use of existing urban or industrial areas such as abandoned areas and brownfields, and restoring degra...