The increasing relevance of soil science and soil security in a changing agricultural policy environment

Abstract

Following a new definition of modern soil science and a focus on the 5C’s of soil security can provide a scientific basis for sustainable development, in line with recent high-level reports on the future of agriculture by the European Union. This requires a focus on indicators and thresholds of ecosystem services, including soil health. A recent case study on farm level showed that methods are available but attention is needed to define appriopriate regional threshold values for ecosystem services while field work to test modeling and measurement assumptions remains essential. This can establish a rejuvinated soil science profession that lives up to its central role in sustainability studies as the most permanent component of any ecosystem.