Why Soils are Vital for our Water Resources

Why soils are vital for our water resources

Within Earth's ecosystems, soil resources and land play a pivotal role in shaping water quality and quantity. The balance between these elements determines the availability of clean water for human consumption, agriculture, and sustaining diverse ecosystems. Understanding the critical relationship between soil, land, and water is essential for managing our natural resources effectively for conservation.

An essential natural filter

Soil is the most sophisticated and advanced natural filter we have at our disposal, purifying rainwater as it percolates through the ground. Healthy soil is teeming with macro and microorganisms that break down and remove pesticides, heavy metals, and organic pollutants, ensuring that water entering underground aquifers is free of these harmful impurities. This filtration process is crucial for maintaining sources of high-quality drinking water.

Texture is key

Soil texture plays a vital role in regulating water quantity. Sandy soils, with their large particles, allow water to drain quickly, leading to reduced water retention and pooling (think flood mitigation). In contrast, clay soils have smaller particles, enabling them to retain water for longer periods, improving holding capacity (think drought management). Striking a balance between these soil types is essential to prevent water scarcity and ensure regenerative agricultural practices.

A manmade conflict: land use vs soil health

Land use practices significantly influence water quality and quantity. Urbanisation, agriculture, deforestation, and industrial activities lead to destructive soil degradation, erosion, and contamination of water bodies. Improper land management often results in sedimentation of rivers and lakes, erosion, disruption of aquatic habitats leading to biodiversity loss, and impairing surface and ground water quality.

While agriculture is vital for feeding the growing global population, the current intensity of it poses significant challenges to water resources. The excessive and continual use of fertilizers and pesticides causes leaching into groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources and harming aquatic life. Implementing regenerative agricultural practices, such as polyculture practices, crop rotation, cover crops, and precision irrigation, while phasing out harmful conventional agriculture practices like overuse of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers can mitigate these adverse effects and preserve water quality.

Nature-based solutions will protect our soils and water quality for the future

Promoting the use of cover crops and agroforestry techniques can enhance soil health, reduce erosion, and improve water retention, making agricultural systems more resilient to climate change and more adaptive when irregular weather events hit. The interaction between soil resources, land, and water is indispensable for maintaining water quality and quantity.

As we face the challenges posed by a growing global population and climate change, it is imperative to adopt regenerative and nature-first practices that preserve soil health, protect natural ecosystems, and promote responsible land use. By recognising the vital role of soil and land in water management, we can secure a cleaner, more abundant water supply for current and future generations.