The significance of soils and soil science towards realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

• Published in: Soil Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 111 - 128
• Main Authors: Keesstra, Saskia D., Bouma, Johan, Wallinga, Jakob, Tittonell, Pablo, Smith, Pete, Cerdà, Artemi, Montanarella, Luca, Quinton, John N., Pachepsky, Yakov, van der Putten, Wim H., Bardgett, Richard D., Moolenaar, Simon, Mol, Gerben, Jansen, Boris, Fresco, Louise O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Göttingen Copernicus GmbH 01.01.2016; Copernicus Publications
• Subjects: Alterra - Bodem, water en landgebruik; Alterra - Soil, water and land use; Biodiversity; Biodiversity loss; Bodem, Water en Land Dynamica; Bodem, Water en Landgebruik; Bodemfysica en Landbeheer; Bodemfysica en landmanagement; Bodemgeografie en Landschap; Climate change; Communication; Earth; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; Environmental economics; EPS; Executive Board; Farming Systems Ecology; Food; Food security; Health risks; International organizations; Knowledge management; Laboratorium voor Nematologie; Laboratory of Nematology; Land degradation; Land use; Leadership; Leerstoelgroep Farming Systems Ecology; Natural resources; Organic matter; Organic soils; PE&RC; Policies; Procedures; Raad van Bestuur; Regulation; Schools; Science; Scientists; Soil; Soil Geography and Landscape; Soil improvement; Soil organic matter; Soil Physics and Land Management; Soil sciences; Soil, Water and Land Dynamics; Soil, Water and Land Use; Soils; Studies; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Sustainable Development Goals; Systems analysis; Water scarcity; Brazil; Rio de Janeiro Brazil

In this forum paper we discuss how soil scientists can help to reach the recently adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the most effective manner. Soil science, as a land-related discipline, has important links to several of the SDGs, which are demonstrated through the functions of soil...