Shelter, clothing, and fuel: Often overlooked links between soils, ecosystem services, and human health

There are clear connections between ecosystem services (ES) and human health, as well as between soils and human health. However, studies to date have not investigated links between soil ES and human health. Viewing the relationship between soils and human health through the ES lens reveals that soil ES such as the provisioning of shelter, clothing, and fuel have been overlooked in the soil and human health literature. Shelter is important to human health because it provides protection against inclement weather, temperature extremes, and other potential threats. Clothing provides a more consistent micro-environment around the skin and also provides protection from ultraviolet radiation and some parasites. Fuel allows us to warm shelters, providing refuge from cold temperatures, and cook food, which reduces disease. The materials supplied by soils in support of these functions are often done so in a more environmentally responsible way than is the case with many modern building and clothing materials or with fossil fuels. However, it is important to realize that sustainable management practices are critical in order to achieve environmentally responsible production of these products. Future studies need to investigate the links between these overlooked soil ES and human health.