Protection of soil quality in the periurban space

Abstract

It is necessary to recognize soils in their singularity and with their multiplicity of important ecosystem functions for humans as well as for animals and plants that soils will be recognized as important resource that need to be protected from degradation and disturbance. Soils in the urban and periurban space are threaten to an extremely high extend by soil sealing and contamination as well as disturbance of the natural soil profile, which affects soil quality and soil functioning. Knowledge about different soil qualities in a certain area and about already degraded or disturbed sites can help to protect intact soils and to use soils according to their potential as a plant site or production field. Soils with a high yield potential and with a high rating should not be sealed when degraded sites are available as well. The meaning of natural soils when it comes to urban agriculture will be presumably low as projects like Vertical Farming or Indoor Farming will be realized by using substrates instead of soils. Nevertheless, it is important to develop a high awareness in the community for the meaning and biodiversity of soils as agricultural soils will be the basis for future food and feed production as well as production of renewable resources. And last but not least as a potentially high carbon stock soils are an important part in combating high CO₂ in the atmosphere.