What is soil degradation?

Soil degradation is the gradual decline of the quality, health, and fertility of the soil that loses its capacity to support life (plants, microorganisms, and animals).

Soil degradation can be physical (wind and water erosion), chemical (salinization, pollution, overfertilization, etc.), and biological (loss of biodiversity and soil organic matter). At the same time, it reduces the capacity of the soil to store carbon by up to 50-75%, escalating the greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global climate change. In extreme cases, if the soil degradation is not reversed, it can lead to desertification of soils that are damaged beyond repair and unable to support life.