Is there anything more bland to talk about than soil, dirt?
Unfortunately soil issues today have become as critical as freshwater shortages in some parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The core problem is that you can farm soil to death and global warming is rapidly accelerating the process.
Farming practices in conjunction with climate change impacts can deplete soils of mineral and organic nutrients. Once the organic component becomes sufficiently degraded the soil is readily compacted and turned sterile, the precursor in many cases to desertification - the transformation of once arable farmland into useless desert. This is a problem that's spreading rapidly in China.
A major project is now underway to create a digital map of the entire African continent to show show soil conditions in all 42-countries. The effort involves everything from analyzing soil samples to satellite observation.
The idea is to identify areas most in need of remediation and the techniques best suited to rehabilitating farmland in each region.
It's a great idea and badly needed, especially in those parts of Africa where hunger is a chronic and endemic problem. The challenge will be to understand and stay ahead of the steadily increasing impacts of global warming. The race is on.
Unfortunately soil issues today have become as critical as freshwater shortages in some parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The core problem is that you can farm soil to death and global warming is rapidly accelerating the process.
Farming practices in conjunction with climate change impacts can deplete soils of mineral and organic nutrients. Once the organic component becomes sufficiently degraded the soil is readily compacted and turned sterile, the precursor in many cases to desertification - the transformation of once arable farmland into useless desert. This is a problem that's spreading rapidly in China.
A major project is now underway to create a digital map of the entire African continent to show show soil conditions in all 42-countries. The effort involves everything from analyzing soil samples to satellite observation.
The idea is to identify areas most in need of remediation and the techniques best suited to rehabilitating farmland in each region.
It's a great idea and badly needed, especially in those parts of Africa where hunger is a chronic and endemic problem. The challenge will be to understand and stay ahead of the steadily increasing impacts of global warming. The race is on.
2 comments:
A fabulous project every country should follow.
There were a few news items in Britain last year about loss of carbon from soil tests there.
Coming from a prairie farm family, I have never thought of soil as bland, except where it has too much clay.
I am reminded of a 'Blessing Way" we held years ago when I had all the kids bring a small bag of soil from their yard. It was a much enjoyed and discussed experience after each family put a candle in their little batch of soil and we observed the differences.
We lived in rural Quebec and were fortunate to have soil outside our homes.
I certainly hope that the situation in Africa can be turned around in time. China is moving aggressively to fight desertification but it has plenty of resources. Even then it's unclear the Chinese will succeed.
By the way, the Bill Gates foundation threw $18-million into this African project.
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