Natural capital, ecosystem services, and soil change: why soil science must embrace an ecosystems approach

Robinson, D.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7290-4867; Hockley, N.; Dominati, E.; Lebron, I. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8610-9717; Scow, K.M.; Reynolds, B.; Emmett, B.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2713-4389; Keith, A.M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9619-1320; de Jonge, L.W.; Schjonning, P.; Moldrup, P.; Jones, S.B.; Tuller, M.. 2012 Natural capital, ecosystem services, and soil change: why soil science must embrace an ecosystems approach. Vadose Zone Journal, 11 (1). 6, pp. https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2011.0051

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Abstract/Summary

Soil is part of the Earth's life support system, but how should we convey the value of this and of soil as a resource? Consideration of the ecosystem services and natural capital of soils offers a framework going beyond performance indicators of soil health and quality, and recognizes the broad value that soil contributes to human wellbeing. This approach provides links and synergies between soil science and other disciplines such as ecology, hydrology, and economics, recognizing the importance of soils alongside other natural resources in sustaining the functioning of the Earth system. We articulate why an ecosystems approach is important for soil science in the context of natural capital, ecosystem services, and soil change. Soil change is defined as change on anthropogenic time scales and is an important way of conveying dynamic changes occurring in soils that are relevant to current political decision-making time scales. We identify four important areas of research: (i) framework development; (ii) quantifying the soil resource, stocks, fluxes, transformations, and identifying indicators; (iii) valuing the soil resource for its ecosystem services; and (iv) developing decision-support tools. Furthermore, we propose contributions that soil science can make to address these research challenges.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2011.0051
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.3 - Deliver effective advice, models and applied science ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Emmett Parr
ISSN:	1539-1663
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Free access to text after 18 months after publication - click on the Official URL to access full text now.
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	03 Jul 2012 10:01 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/15243

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