Soil-Related Sustainable Development Goals: Four Concepts to Make Land Degradation Neutrality and Restoration Work

Abstract

In the effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to food, health, water, and climate, an increase in pressure on land is highly likely. To avoid further land degradation and promote land restoration, multifunctional use of land is needed within the boundaries of the soil-water system. In addition, awareness-raising, a change in stakeholders’ attitudes, and a change in economics are essential. The attainment of a balance between the economy, society, and the biosphere calls for a holistic approach. In this paper, we introduce four concepts that we consider to be conducive to realizing LDN in a more integrated way: systems thinking, connectivity, nature-based solutions, and regenerative economics. We illustrate the application of these concepts through three examples in agricultural settings. Systems thinking lies at the base of the three others, stressing feedback loops but also delayed responses. Their simultaneous use will result in more robust solutions, which are sustainable from an environmental, societal, and economic point of view. Solutions also need to take into account the level of scale (global, national, regional, local), stakeholders’ interests and culture, and the availability and boundaries of financial and natural capital. Furthermore, sustainable solutions need to embed short-term management in long-term landscape planning. In conclusion, paradigm shifts are needed. First, it is necessary to move from excessive exploitation in combination with environmental protection, to sustainable use and management of the soil-water system. To accomplish this, new business models in robust economic systems are needed based on environmental systems thinking; an approach that integrates environmental, social, and economic interests. Second, it is necessary to shift from a “system follows function” approach towards a “function follows system” one. Only by making the transition towards integrated solutions based on a socio-economical-ecological systems analysis, using concepts such as nature-based solutions, do we stand a chance to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030. To make these paradigm shifts, awareness-raising in relation to a different type of governance, economy and landscape and land-use planning and management is needed.

Road Network and the Spatial Distribution of Wildfires in the Valencian Community (1993–2015)

“…Little attention was instead paid to identify the causes and the spatial distribution of forest fires, demonstrating, for example, that roads are a serious source of ignition. Our contribution will finally help to design forest managements that may reduce the risk of desertification, achieving a management strategy oriented toward land degradation neutrality [102].…”

The rise of blockchain technology in agriculture and food supply chains

“…In particular, the quality of soil is important towards the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) (Keesstra, et al 2016). In this context, the sustainable development, proper management and rational use of agricultural fields, water resources and soils is of utmost importance (Keesstra, et al 2018). Tracing this information via the supply chain, making it visible to the public, is essential for putting public pressure to producers and policy-makers on the aspect of how the food is produced in a sustainable manner.…”

A Modified Green-Ampt Model and Parameter Determination for Water Infiltration in Fine-textured Soil with Coarse Interlayer

“…In addition to simulating infiltration into fine-textured soil with a coarse interlayer, the proposed MGA-2 can be extended to simulate infiltration in some other soil cases, such as: (1) a deeply buried straw layer in the soil serving as a water flow barrier to increase the amount of stored soil water available for plant use [32]; and (2) a compacted shallow soil layer, and possibly a permeable deeper soil layer caused by heavy machinery or drainage [8]. The soil-straw-soil or compacted-loose soil system is similar to the fine-textured soil with a coarse interlayer.…”

“…The infiltration can also affect surface runoff in the soil system, which in turn can influence soil erosion [6,7]. Therefore, infiltration research can possibly contribute to land degradation neutrality and restoration of land for the sustainable development of our environment and society [8].…”