Testing the Links Between Soil Security, Sustainable Land Management Practices and Land Evaluation

Abstract

A matrix based on the six global challenges identified for soil security (food security, water security, energy security, climate change abatement, human health, biodiversity protection) and the dimensions of soil security (capability, condition, capital, connectivity, codification) is proposed as a tool to demonstrate the links between soil security, sustainable land management and soil and land evaluation. The matrix was tested using a number of published systems of sustainable land management (SLM) practices and soil and land evaluation systems. This approach clearly validated the value and potential of the soil security concept in developing and promoting sustainable land management practices. However, it also identified several issues that need further discussion and consideration including the following: the need for a realignment of the definitions of capability and condition in the soil security concept; the recognition that soil capability cannot be assessed separately from land and site characteristics; the need for more emphasis on land management practices especially in the interaction with capability to produce the resultant soil condition; and clearer, more specific definitions of what is included under the dimensions of connectivity and codification.