Problem
Deterioration in soil fertility
Other Names:
Demineralization of the soilSoil exhaustion
Depleted soil nutrients
Depletion of soil nutrients
Sterile soils
Impoverishment of soils
Micronutrient mining of soil
Nature:
Minerals, humus and other organic compounds are removed from the soil in harvested crops or forests or by leaching aggravated by erosion. Soils become impoverished when these depleting processes exceed replacement rates. Soil microorganisms are then unable to obtain the nutrients they need to regenerate soil, rendering the soil increasingly unable to sustain plants and animals.
Incidence:
When fertilizers are added to a crop, the plants absorb not only the extra nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the fertilizer, but also proportionately increased levels of micronutrients from the soil, including zinc, iron and copper. Over years, the soil becomes deficient in these micronutrients. Lack of them inhibits a plant's capacity to absorb nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Broader Problems:
ExhaustionSoil infertilitySoil mismanagementExploitative agribusinessIrresponsible soil management Narrower Problems:
Decarbonization of soilDepletion of soil copper Depletion of soil manganese Aggravates:
Human deficiency diseasesTrace element deficiencies in soilsDecline in nutritional quality of food Reduces:
Chemical contaminants of food Strategies:
Remineralizing soilDepleting soils Subject(s):
Geology → SoilHealth Care → Nutrition
Resources → Minerals
Societal Problems → Inadequacy
Society → Disadvantaged
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
04.02.2021 – 16:46 CET