Lecture Notes: The Importance of Soil in Our Food System

Introduction

• Food system heavily relies on soil.
• Approximately 90% of food consumed in the EU originates from land (not all within EU borders).

Key Points about Soil

• Diverse Life in Soil:
  • Soil is teeming with life:
    • 100 million to 1 billion bacteria per teaspoon of healthy soil.
    • Other organisms: algae, fungi, microscopic insects, beetles, earthworms, ants, mites.
  • This biodiversity contributes to the largest concentration of biomass on Earth.
• Role in Climate System:
  • Soil is the second largest active carbon store after the ocean.
  • Important for climate regulation.
• Water Storage and Filtration:
  • One cubic meter of soil can store up to 600 liters of water.
  • Helps crops survive droughts and mitigates flooding during heavy rains.

Human Impact on Soil

• Soils are foundational for human habitation and construction.
• Urban development leads to soil sealing, disrupting ecosystem functions.
  • Statistics:
    • Europe loses an area equivalent to half of Luxembourg each year to new constructions.

Conclusion

• Soils are both valuable and vulnerable.
• Emphasis on the need to reconnect with and protect our soils.