Monitor Soil Degradation or Triage for Soil Security? An Australian Challenge

Andrea Koch, Adrian Chappell, Michael Eyres and Edward Scott
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Andrea Koch: United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney, Institute Building, H03, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia
Adrian Chappell: CSIRO Land and Water National Research Flagship, G.P.O. Box 1666, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
Michael Eyres: Injekta Field Systems, Level 1, 69 Fullarton Road, Kent Town SA 5067, Australia
Edward Scott: Injekta Field Systems, Level 1, 69 Fullarton Road, Kent Town SA 5067, Australia

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: The Australian National Soil Research, Development and Extension Strategy identifies soil security as a foundation for the current and future productivity and profitability of Australian agriculture. Current agricultural production is attenuated by soil degradation. Future production is highly dependent on the condition of Australian soils. Soil degradation in Australia is dominated in its areal extent by soil erosion. We reiterate the use of soil erosion as a reliable indicator of soil condition/quality and a practical measure of soil degradation. We describe three key phases of soil degradation since European settlement, and show a clear link between inappropriate agricultural practices and the resultant soil degradation. We demonstrate that modern agricultural practices have had a marked effect on reducing erosion. Current advances in agricultural soil management could lead to further stabilization and slowing of soil degradation in addition to improving productivity. However, policy complacency towards soil degradation, combined with future climate projections of increased rainfall intensity but decreased volumes, warmer temperatures and increased time in drought may once again accelerate soil degradation and susceptibility to erosion and thus limit the ability of agriculture to advance without further improving soil management practices. Monitoring soil degradation may indicate land degradation, but we contend that monitoring will not lead to soil security. We propose the adoption of a triaging approach to soil degradation using the soil security framework, to prioritise treatment plans that engage science and agriculture to develop practices that simultaneously increase productivity and improve soil condition. This will provide a public policy platform for efficient allocation of public and private resources to secure Australia’s soil resource.

Keywords: soil; soil security; agriculture; erosion; no-till; conservation agriculture; Australia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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