The significance of soils and soil science towards realization of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs)

KEESSTRA, SD; BOUMA, J; WALLINGA, J; TITTONELL, P.; SMITH, P.; CERDÀ, A; MONTANARELLA, L; QUINTON, J; PACHEPSKY, Y; VAN DER PUTTEN, WH; BARDGETT, RD; MOOLENAAR, S; MOL, G; FRESCO, LO

SOIL

Copernicus

Año: 2016 vol. 2 p. 111 - 128

In this forum paper we discuss how soil scientists can help to reach the recently adopted UN SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) in the most effective manner. Soil science, as a land-related discipline, hasimportant links to several of the SDGs, which are demonstrated through the functions of soils and the ecosystemservices that are linked to those functions (see graphical abstract in the Supplement).We explore and discuss howsoil scientists can rise to the challenge both internally, in terms of our procedures and practices, and externally, interms of our relations with colleague scientists in other disciplines, diverse groups of stakeholders and the policyarena. To meet these goals we recommend the following steps to be taken by the soil science community as awhole: (i) embrace the UN SDGs, as they provide a platform that allows soil science to demonstrate its relevancefor realizing a sustainable society by 2030; (ii) show the specific value of soil science: research should explicitlyshow how using modern soil information can improve the results of inter- and transdisciplinary studies on SDGsrelated to food security, water scarcity, climate change, biodiversity loss and health threats; (iii) take leadershipin overarching system analysis of ecosystems, as soils and soil scientists have an integrated nature and this placessoil scientists in a unique position; (iii) raise awareness of soil organic matter as a key attribute of soils to illustrateits importance for soil functions and ecosystem services; (iv) improve the transfer of knowledge throughknowledge brokers with a soil background; (v) start at the basis: educational programmes are needed at all levels,starting in primary schools, and emphasizing practical, down-to-earth examples; (vi) facilitate communicationwith the policy arena by framing research in terms that resonate with politicians in terms of the policy cycle orby considering drivers, pressures and responses affecting impacts of land use change; and finally (vii) all this isonly possible if researchers, with soil scientists in the front lines, look over the hedge towards other disciplines,to the world at large and to the policy arena, reaching over to listen first, as a basis for genuine collaboration.