Soil health

Specific benchmarks used to evaluate soil health include CO2 release, humus levels, microbial activity, and available calcium.

Both these services combine physical (aggregate stability), chemical (mineral balance), and biological (CO2 respiration) analyses, which today are considered hallmarks of soil health testing.

However, in this same time USA soils have also lost up to 75% of their carbon (humus), causing biological fertility and ecosystem functioning to decline; how much is debatable.

Thus, surface and groundwater pollution with excess nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) has grown enormously, and early 2000s measures were reported (in the United States) to be the worst it has been since the 1970s, before the advent of environmental consciousness.

[11][12][13] Regenerative agriculture (RA) is a holistic approach to farming that emphasizes soil conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable land management.

Research highlights that regenerative agriculture enhances nutrient cycling while supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are vital for maintaining soil health.

[17] Cover crops act as a protective blanket during the winter months, preventing compaction and erosion, while their roots maintain soil structure and nurture microbial diversity.

Permaculture supports soil health by fostering natural nutrient cycles through techniques like companion planting, mulching, and perennial cropping.

It emphasizes the creation of agricultural systems that model and mimic natural ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, more efficient resource use, and long-term soil health.

[20] Regenerative agriculture offers significant economic and community benefits as well, nurturing resilient farming systems that enhance local economies and promote social well-being.

Economically, RA reduces input costs by minimizing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, leading to lower operational expenses and increased profitability for farmers.

[15] Additionally, RA is designed to support community health by improving access to fresh local produce and working to alleviate food insecurity.

[24] These practices collectively cultivate a resilient soil ecosystem that supports plant growth, enhances pest and disease resistance, and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions through carbon storage.

[16][17] Addressing these gaps and advancing research into RA’s ecological and socioeconomic impacts will be crucial for its broader implementation and success.