Soil is essential to agriculture and a resource that cannot be replaced easily. Nevertheless, its importance to food production and the threats to its sustainability are often overlooked. This book, the 35th volume of Issues in Environmental Science and Technology, examines the current status of soils across the globe and their potential for food production to meet the needs of the World's population in the 21st Century. Threats, such as the degradation, pollution and erosion of soil are discussed, along with the possible consequences of climate change for soil and food production. As an ecosystem service, soil also serves to capture nutrients and sequester carbon, and these issues are discussed in the context of adding value to soil protection. The influence of modern agricultural techniques in enhancing soil productivity is also discussed. Throughout the book case studies support the discussion. Together with the books on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Water, and Environmental Impacts of Modern Agriculture, this addition to the series will be essential reading for anyone concerned with the environment, whether as scientist, policy maker, student or lay reader. Soil is essential to agriculture and a resource that cannot be replaced easily. Nevertheless, its importance to food production and the threats to its sustainability are often overlooked. This book, the 35th volume of Issues in Environmental Science and Technology, examines the current status of soils across the globe and their potential for food production to meet the needs of the World's population in the 21st Century. Threats, such as the degradation, pollution and erosion of soil are discussed, along with the possible consequences of climate change for soil and food production. As an ecosystem service, soil also serves to capture nutrients and sequester carbon, and these issues are discussed in the context of adding value to soil protection. The influence of modern agricultural techniques in enhancing soil productivity is also discussed. Throughout the book case studies support the discussion. Together with the books on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Water, and Environmental Impacts of Modern Agriculture, this addition to the series will be essential reading for anyone concerned with the environment, whether as scientist, policy maker, student or lay reader. Ron Hester is an emeritus professor of chemistry at the University of York. In addition to his research work on a wide range of applications of vibrational spectroscopy, he has been actively involved in environmental chemistry and was a founder member of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environment Group. His current activities are mainly as an editor and as an external examiner and assessor on courses, individual promotions, and departmental/subject area evaluations both in the UK and abroad. Roy Harrison OBE is Queen Elizabeth II Birmingham Centenary Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Birmingham. In 2004 he was appointed OBE for services to environmental science. Professor Harrison’s research interests lie in the field of environment and human health. His main specialism is in air pollution, from emissions through atmospheric chemical and physical transformations to exposure and effects on human health. Much of this work is designed to inform the development of policy. Soils and Food Security By R. E. Hester, R. M. Harrison The Royal Society of Chemistry Copyright © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-84973-426-4 Contents Editors, xiii, List of Contributors, xv, Soils and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities Peter J. Gregory, 1, Global Soils: Preserving the Capacity for Food Production Luca Montanarella, 31, Soil Natural Capital and Ecosystem Service Delivery in a World of Global Soil Change David A. Robinson, Bridget A. Emmett, Brian Reynolds, Ed C. Rowe, Dave Spurgeon, Aidan M. Keith, Inma Lebron and Neal Hockley, 41, The Evaluation and Reporting of Soils in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Alfred E. Hartemink, Amanda L. Raster and Molly M. Jahn, 69, Agrobiodiversity and Potential Use for Enhancing Soil Health in Tropical Soils of Africa Fredrick O. Ayuke, Nancy K. Karanja, Julius J. Okello, Peter M. Wachira, Gerald K. Mutua, David K. Lelei and Charles K. K. Gachene, 94, Organic Matter Availability and Management in the Context of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in sub-Saharan Africa B. Vanlauwe, 135, Climate Change and Forest Dynamics: A Soils Perspective Wendy Peterman and Dominique Bachelet, 158, Plant Nutrients David A. C. Manning, 183, Soil Physical Degradation: Threats and Opportunities to Food Security Paul D. Hallett, Kenneth W. Loades and Julia Krümmelbein, 198, Subject Index, 227, CHAPTER 1 Soils and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities PETER J. GREGORY East Malling Research, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UK, and Centre for Food Security, Schoo