ABSTRACT
Healthy, functioning soils are able to ‘sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation’ (Karlen et al., 1997). They deliver a range of ecosystem goods and services which are associated with human health and well-being (MA, 2005; TEEB, 2010; NEA, 2011; Table 1). In turn, these goods and services have been directly linked to individuals’ wealth and national economic status (Daily, 1997). Soil has been described as ‘the thin layer of soil covering the earth’s surface [which] represents the difference between survival and extinction for most terrestrial life’ (Doran and Parkin, 1994). However, soil degradation is a major threat to soil health, reducing the soil’s capacity to function (Karlen et al., 1997) and its ability to deliver vital ecosystem goods and services that are at the heart of sustainable development (European Commission, 2002; Table 1).
