12/09/2025
Soil Science and Its Impacts on Climate
Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource—its formation, classification, properties, and how it interacts with plants, water, air, and living organisms. Beyond supporting agriculture, soil plays a vital role in regulating the earth’s climate system.
1. Carbon Storage and Climate Regulation
Soils are the largest terrestrial carbon sink, storing more carbon than the atmosphere and vegetation combined. Healthy soils rich in organic matter help trap carbon dioxide (CO₂), reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Conversely, degraded soils release stored carbon, contributing to global warming.
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Poorly managed soils, especially in agriculture, can emit nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄), both powerful greenhouse gases. Practices such as excessive fertilizer use, poor drainage, and overgrazing increase these emissions, intensifying climate change.
3. Water Cycle and Climate Balance
Soil regulates the infiltration, storage, and movement of water. Healthy soils enhance groundwater recharge, reduce flooding, and support plant growth, which in turn influences local and regional climates. Degraded soils lose this balance, making regions more vulnerable to droughts and floods.
4. Temperature Regulation
Soil cover—through vegetation and organic matter—helps regulate surface temperatures by reflecting or absorbing sunlight. Bare or eroded soils amplify heat, contributing to local warming effects (a micro-climate change).
5. Adaptation to Climate Change
Soil management practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, compost application, and agroforestry enhance soil resilience. This allows ecosystems and farms to better withstand extreme weather events linked to climate change.
