Summary
This global assessment examines the multifaceted land degradation pressures affecting arable agricultural systems, integrating data on soil erosion, salinisation, compaction, contamination and nutrient depletion. Drawing on international soil and environmental datasets, the authors map degradation hotspots and quantify the area of cultivated land subject to simultaneous degradation processes. The work underscores the interconnected nature of soil health threats to global food production and suggests policy implications for land management at continental and global scales.
UK applicability
Findings on degradation processes (particularly erosion, compaction and nutrient depletion) are relevant to UK arable systems, particularly in lowland cereal regions. The global perspective may contextualise the relative severity of UK soil challenges within European and international patterns, informing national soil management policy.
Key measures
Spatial extent and severity of land degradation processes; global degradation hotspots; area of arable land affected by multiple concurrent degradation processes
Outcomes reported
The study assessed multiple land degradation processes (erosion, salinisation, compaction, contamination, nutrient depletion) affecting arable lands worldwide. It synthesised global data on the extent, severity and spatial distribution of degradation pressures on cultivated soils.
Topic tags
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