Soil Is an Essential Component of the Biosphere and the Global Food System (Critical Assessment of the Situation)

Soil is the basis of food systems at all levels. Preservation of ecological functions of the soil cover and its status in areas newly developed or excluded from agriculture determines the rate and occurrence time of ecological risks and threats to food security. The global role and cost of soil resources increase. Russia is characterized by the maximal area of soil cover: approximately 14.5 × 10(6) km(2) or one sixth of the soil cover of the Earth. Soils are underestimated as a unique national wealth and strategic resource. The amounts of applied agrochemicals are insufficient for the reproduction of soil fertility. The food security in the country is achieved and food products are exported due to nonreimbursable expenses of reserves of soil fertility. There are no state documents, which clearly and unequivocally determine the amount and location of arable soils and farm lands required for the modern agriculture and for solution of problems of sustainable development.