Natural events and climate change impacts are accelerating soil degradation

Increased intensity of wind or rainfall may erode topsoil and remove nutrients which end up in watercourses and release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Less summer rainfall could increase drought risk thereby affecting soil stability and structure and increasing input costs.

What can businesses do?

Businesses can better their understanding of soil and investigate appropriate interventions to mitigate future changes, including reducing wind erosion by planting shelter belts and considering minimum tillage techniques. In addition, good soil management can help regulate emissions of key greenhouse gases from agriculture whilst securing soil health.