Dig in to Biodiversity

With increasing regularity, we are seeing media headlines tout the loss of biodiversity. It seems like biodiversity has become a buzzword similar to sustainability, and I find myself wondering if everyone truly understands the definition of biodiversity. Simply stated by Merriam-Webster, biodiversity is “the number of different species of plants and animals.” So when someone talks of biodiversity, they could be discussing anything from dandelions in a backyard to jaguars in the rain forest.

 In commemoration of World Soil Day, December 5, I would like to give a special shout out to a space that is often left out of biodiversity conversations. Soil biodiversity reflects a huge variability of living organisms including micro-organisms that are not visible to the naked eye, as well as the more visible earthworms and termites known as macro-fauna. These diverse organisms interact with one another, other plants and other animals to create an irreplaceable ecosystem. Many may not realize the wide range of essential services that soil organisms contribute to making ecosystems sustainable.

 According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, soil organisms are essential for nutrient cycling, regulating the dynamics of soil organic matter, soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission, modifying soil physical structure and water regimes, enhancing the amount and efficiency of nutrient acquisition by the vegetation and enhancing plant health. Not only are these services essential for natural ecosystems, they constitute an important resource for the sustainable management of agricultural systems.

As pressure to feed a growing global population continues to increase, we cannot ignore the health and value of soil organisms. Instead, soil health should be treated as a 401K program – care and investment today will make a better future. The USDA recommends the Four Principles of Soil Health as a relatively simple approach to promoting soil health. These principles include:

·        Minimizing soil disturbance by either reducing or eliminating tillage.

·        Planting cover crops, which in addition to enhance soil health can help improve farm profits and yields in a win-win situation. 

·        Integrating livestock with rotational grazing to assist in nutrient recycling.

·        Using a diverse crop rotation, which can help to reduce pests and disease in addition to building healthy soil microbes.

Fortunately, many farmers are taking practical steps to make their agriculture operations more sustainable, which helps to promote both above and below ground diversity.

As you celebrate World Soil Day, take a look at what my close friend Trey Hill is accomplishing for not only soil health but all of biodiversity on his 13,000-acre farm that produces corn, wheat and soy!