A review of the impacts of degradation threats on soil properties in the UK.
National governments are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of their soil resources and are shaping strategies accordingly. Implicit in any such strategy is that degradation threats and their potential effect on important soil properties and functions are defined and understood. In this paper, we aimed to review the principal degradation threats on important soil properties in the UK, seeking quantitative data where possible. Soil erosion results in the removal of important topsoil and, with it, nutrients, C and porosity. A decline in soil organic matter principally affects soil biological and microbiological properties, but also impacts on soil physical properties because of the link with soil structure. Soil contamination affects soil chemical properties, affecting nutrient availability and degrading microbial properties, whilst soil compaction degrades the soil pore network. Soil sealing removes the link between the soil and most of the 'spheres', significantly affecting hydrological and microbial functions, and soils on re-developed brownfield sites are typically degraded in most soil properties. Having synthesized the literature on the impact on soil properties, we discuss potential subsequent impacts on the important soil functions, including food and fibre production, storage of water and C, support for biodiversity, and protection of cultural and archaeological heritage. Looking forward, we suggest a twin approach of field-based monitoring supported by controlled laboratory experimentation to improve our mechanistic understanding of soils. This would enable us to better predict future impacts of degradation processes, including climate change, on soil properties and functions so that we may manage soil resources sustainably.
Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems Rothamsted Research Harpenden Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ UK.
A S
AS
Gregory
Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington Campus Loughborough Leicestershire LE12 5RD UK.
K
K
Ritz
Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems Rothamsted Research Harpenden Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ UK.
S P
SP
McGrath
Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster LA1 4YQ UK.
J N
JN
Quinton
Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems Rothamsted Research Harpenden Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ UK.
K W T
KW
Goulding
School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood Cranfield University Cranfield Bedfordshire MK43 0AL UK.
R J A
RJ
Jones
School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood Cranfield University Cranfield Bedfordshire MK43 0AL UK.
J A
JA
Harris
Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Group Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-3: Agrosphere Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Jülich 52425 Germany.
R
R
Bol
Phil Wallace Ltd Westland Martlesham Heath Ipswich Suffolk IP5 3SU UK.
P
P
Wallace
University of Exeter Amory Building Rennes Drive Exeter EX4 4RJ UK.
E S
ES
Pilgrim
Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems Rothamsted Research Harpenden Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ UK.
A P
AP
Whitmore
Soil erosion; climate change; soil compaction; soil contamination; soil functions; soil organic matter
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