The state of the environment: soil
Read the full reportUK soils, storing approximately 10 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 80 years of the nation's annual greenhouse gas emissions, face severe degradation from intensive agriculture and other pressures like food wastage, bioenergy crops and contamination from microplastics. Evidence shows that best practices like integrating trees into arable farming and minimum tillage can significantly improve soil health and management, highlighting the need for sustainable agricultural practices.
Key Findings
UK soils store approximately 10 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 80 years of annual UK greenhouse gas emissions.
Intensive agriculture has caused a loss of 40 to 60% of organic carbon in arable soils.
Soil degradation costs the UK an estimated £1.2 billion annually (2010).
Nearly 4 million hectares of soil are at risk of compaction, and over 2 million hectares are at risk of erosion in England and Wales.
Wasting food and growing crops for bioenergy are putting additional pressure on soils
Some 300,000 hectares are contaminated in the UK. Microplastics are widespread in soil with unknown consequences.
Investment in soil monitoring and the adoption of better management practices for bogs and peatlands.
Implementation of the Environmental Land Management scheme to incentivise farmers for soil protection and regeneration.
Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices to enhance soil organic carbon levels.
Evidence from collaborative initiatives like “Upstream Thinking” demonstrates improved water quality and soil management through best practices.
Case studies highlight the positive impacts of integrating trees into arable farming and employing minimum tillage techniques.
Recommendations for policy implementation
- Investment in soil monitoring and the adoption of better management practices for bogs and peatlands.
- Implementation of the Environmental Land Management scheme to incentivise farmers for soil protection and regeneration.
- Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices to enhance soil organic carbon levels.