Role of soil health in mitigating climate change

Abstract

Soil health plays an important role in mitigating climate change, soils being the main reservoir for sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. In poorly managed soils or cultivated with unsustainable practices, carbon can be released in the form of CO2 into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. The conversion of forests and pastures into agricultural land has led to large losses of carbon from the soil. The restoration of degraded soils and the use of conservation practices will determine the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, increase of carbon storage capacity and ensure resilience to climate change. This chapter will present the principles of sustainable management of soil fertility with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon in the soil, as well as the effective use of fertilizers to ensure soil health and reduce the impact of climate change.