Experts, noting that soil is of vital importance for humans and all other living things, also emphasize that plants, the main source of food production in the world, obtain a large part of the substances (vitamins, minerals, water) they need to grow from the soil.
Stating that a sustainable world cannot be discussed if soil conservation awareness is not increased and soil is not protected, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller said, “The loss of soil negatively affects not only the environment and the living things within it, but also human health, the economy, and social order. Therefore, the protection and sustainable use of soil should become a priority at individual, national, and global levels.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Environmental Health Program Head, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller, made statements about the role of soil in the ecosystem and its effects on human life.
Soil is vital for humans and all other living things!
Stating that soil is a component with many roles in the ecosystem, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller continued:
“For this reason, it is of vital importance for humans and all other living things. First of all, soil creates a living space for billions of different microorganisms, insects, and other living things. If we include the organisms living on the soil and the plants that get the substances and water they need to grow from the soil, we can say that it is important for all terrestrial organisms. Especially a large part of the organisms living in the soil play a key role in biodiversity and nutrient cycles. Because many substances found in limited numbers in our world can be transformed and reused with the help of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. If we talk about its importance specifically for humans, soil is one of the most important natural resources for humanity, which has been carrying out agricultural activities for thousands of years.”
Some microorganisms living in the soil aid in food production
Stating that another important function of soil is to absorb and filter rainwater and store it as groundwater, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller said, “With this function, its contribution to the water cycle significantly increases the amount of accessible clean water in the world. Furthermore, soil-air interaction is also crucial for material cycles and natural balance. Soil and other organisms within it contribute to keeping atmospheric carbon emissions in balance by storing a significant amount of carbon. Additionally, some microorganisms living in the soil help in food production by converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can use.”
Soil loss leads to an increase in the effects of climate change
Noting that the disruption of this balance poses a great risk for the water and climate system, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller stated, “The ability of healthy, vegetated soil to retain and store most of the water from rainfall is lost with the deterioration of soil structure and the destruction of vegetation. As a result, rainfall cannot be absorbed by the soil; on the contrary, the rain carries the soil with it. This situation leads to both more severe floods and desertification due to soil lost through erosion. The occurrence of soil loss or the loss of its healthy structure along with its microorganisms negatively affects plant production by reducing nitrogen retention, and also contributes to the increased accumulation of carbon emissions in the atmosphere, intensifying the effects of climate change. The changing climate system, in turn, directly affects the living conditions of many plant species growing in the region, thus negatively impacting the vegetation. In short, a vicious cycle is entered.”
What effect does soil have on human health?
Stating that although soil may not seem to have a direct effect on human health, it indirectly has dozens of effects, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller said, “The first of these is, of course, the ability to meet nutritional needs thanks to soil. Plants, the primary source of food production in the world, obtain a large part of the substances (vitamins, minerals, water, etc.) they need to grow from the soil. In addition to food, water, another substance most needed by humans, is constantly in contact with soil, so water storage and access to healthy water can also be provided parallel to the condition of the soil.”
Harmful substances transferred to the soil threaten public health
Explaining that the presence of pollutants in the soil also threatens food safety, as plants, the basis of food production, receive all the substances they produce food from through the soil, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller said, “Firstly, many harmful substances that can be found in the soil negatively affect plant growth, which can lead to yield and harvest losses in agricultural products. Moreover, even when there is no decrease in food items, there can be reductions in the nutritional values of the produced foods. On the other hand, these harmful substances in the soil can pass into food products and transfer their harmful effects to other living things through nutrition. Plant-based or animal-based foods produced in such an environment carry many risks for public health.”
Chemical use must be reduced to prevent soil pollution
Stating that many individual and societal measures can be taken to protect the soil, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller continued:
“First and foremost, the protection of the chemical and biological structure of the soil is very important for its conservation. At this point, to prevent soil pollution, the use of chemicals must be reduced, and harmful substances must be prevented from being discarded into the soil. To achieve this, it is particularly necessary to ensure the recycling of waste generated in our homes and to consciously use chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, compost, which can be obtained from a large part of kitchen waste, is of great importance in preserving soil structure. Ensuring water management and protecting water resources also improves soil quality and ensures its sustainability. Preventing excessive irrigation of the soil and pollution of water resources also helps protect the soil. Furthermore, to protect the soil, it is necessary to combat erosion, preserve existing vegetation, and increase afforestation activities.”
Excessive consumption also negatively affects soil
Noting that excessive consumption indirectly affects the soil, just as it affects every element of the environment, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller said, “Both the waste generated as a result of the production of many products and the waste generated from the use and end-of-life of many products negatively affect the soil. Therefore, it is very important that every product purchased is in line with needs, produced through environmentally friendly processes, durable, and contains substances that do not harm the environment.”
Soil must be protected against a possible food crisis…
Stating that soil has many important roles in the ecosystem, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller expressed the following:
“First and foremost, healthy and productive soil management is necessary for the preservation of terrestrial life and biodiversity and the sustainability of ecosystem services. In a future scenario where this cannot be achieved, one of the first problems to be encountered is a global food crisis that may arise as a result of the inability to meet the food needs of the growing population or to ensure food security. This crisis can lead to both an increase in hunger worldwide and many health problems that may arise due to the decrease in the nutritional value of foods for the nourished population.”
More drought, floods, and storms…
Explaining that with the loss of vegetation and soil due to erosion and desertification, the sustainability of the ecosystem will be at great risk, and many species may also become endangered, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller continued:
“These situations could accelerate climate change, which is increasingly affecting us today. This could trigger more extreme weather events such as drought, floods, inundations, and storms. Since water and soil are in constant contact and a significant part of water is stored as groundwater, soil loss can seriously reduce the amount of water stored underground, and water pollution may increase due to soil pollution. This situation can bring about many health problems. In such a scenario; considering food and water scarcity, the collapse of agricultural economies, and natural disasters that may occur due to climate change, climate migrations, which have already begun today, could increase exponentially. And this situation can cause many social, cultural, economic, and political problems at local and global levels.”
Soil conservation awareness must be raised
Stating that a sustainable world cannot be discussed if soil conservation awareness is not increased and soil is not protected, Dr. Adiller concluded, “The loss of soil negatively affects not only the environment and the living things within it, but also human health, the economy, and social order. Therefore, the protection and sustainable use of soil should become a priority at individual, national, and global levels. If the necessary importance is not given to soil, the quality of human life in the near future will be seriously jeopardized.”