Soil governance in a pandemic

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Soil Science
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unprecedented challenges to global systems, including agriculture and land use.
• Pandemics can indirectly impact soil health through policy changes, economic pressures, and shifts in human behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the multifaceted threats to soil health exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To propose governance mechanisms for promoting soil health during and after pandemics.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of pandemic-related impacts on agricultural practices and land use.
• Analysis of potential long-term consequences for soil contamination and exhaustion.
• Identification of critical soil governance objectives and strategies.

Main Results:

• Pandemics can lead to increased soil contamination and exhaustion due to pressures on crop yields and waste disposal.
• Shifts in work patterns may drive agricultural land conversion for housing, further threatening soil resources.
• Governance mechanisms are essential for managing human-soil interactions and safeguarding soil health.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant risks to soil health, necessitating proactive and adaptive governance.
• Key objectives include maximizing soil fertility, minimizing contamination, and preventing detrimental land-use conversion.
• Implementing robust soil governance strategies is vital for long-term environmental sustainability.