Chapter 3 - Drivers of soil change

Abstract

Abstract The global soil system is currently changing at an unprecedented rate due to a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. Significant changes now compromise the capacity of many soils to provide crucial ecosystem services, including production of food, fiber, and wood; climate regulation; clean water; and habitat for a wide diversity of plants and soil organisms. Gaining a better understanding of these on-going changes is indeed imperative if we are to assist managers, policymakers, and society as a whole in making informative, science-based decisions that influence the conservation and survival of Earth's natural resources. Key drivers of soil change, and their interactions, are discussed within a framework that links soil processes with both environmental health and societal demands for ecosystem services. Direct, or environmental drivers of change include land conversion, intensive land use, climate variability, and biological invasions. Indirect, societal drivers include changing human demographics, local-to-international scale economics, socio-political policies, cultural and religious beliefs, technological advances, and educational awareness. In this chapter I summarize the current state of knowledge of these selected drivers of change, and discuss the extent and nature of soil change that is occurring globally.