Summary
This narrative review, synthesised from a Food & Farming Futures virtual workshop, examines the interconnections between soil health—particularly soil organic carbon—and agricultural productivity in the United Kingdom context. The authors identify six primary co-benefits of improved soil management spanning environmental, economic, social and political domains, whilst highlighting that effective implementation depends critically on knowledge exchange regarding agri-environmental techniques and the development of robust soil monitoring, reporting and verification systems.
UK applicability
Directly applicable to UK farming policy and practice, as the paper emerges from a UK-based policy workshop and specifically addresses UK research challenges and implementation priorities toward 2050. The focus on soil organic carbon and its multifunctional role in meeting productivity and climate goals aligns closely with UK net-zero commitments and agricultural sustainability agendas.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon (SOC), agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability metrics, climate change mitigation potential, crop yield, animal performance, and nutritional outcomes
Outcomes reported
The paper synthesises research on six primary co-benefits of improved soil management: natural capital development, climate change mitigation, carbon trading, crop yield improvements, animal performance enhancement, and human health through improved nutrition. It identifies key research challenges, implementation priorities and barriers to improved soil management in the United Kingdom by 2050.
Topic tags
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