Soils and ecosystem services

Soil is the silent architect of life, building the foundations of ecosystems and sustaining the well-being of all living things.

Beneath our feet lies a hidden world, one that sustains every aspect of life on Earth. Soil is not just dirt, it is the foundation of ecosystems, the quiet provider of services without which life as we know it could not exist. Healthy soils safeguard the very systems that support people, plants, and animals, making them indispensable to the planet’s balance.

Soils provide the essentials we rely on every day: food, feed, fiber, and fuel. Yet their role extends far beyond agriculture. They are a living habitat, home to extraordinary biodiversity. Within a single teaspoon of healthy soil live up to one billion bacteria and more than 4,000 species of microorganisms, alongside insects, fungi, and worms that keep ecosystems thriving. Globally, over 360,000 animal species make the soil their home, forming one of the richest yet least visible communities on Earth.

Soils are also nature’s filters and recyclers. They clean and store water, cycle nutrients, and regulate carbon and nitrogen flows that sustain plant growth. They act as a foundation for cities and infrastructure, a source of materials for manufacturing and construction, and a vital medium for agriculture that secures humanity’s food supply.

The connection between soil and human well-being is profound. Every glass of water we drink, every meal we eat, and every structure we build has its roots in soil. To care for soil is to care for ourselves, for our health, our food, our homes, and the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.