L1: PLANETARY FOUNDATIONS → BIOSPHERE & LIVING SYSTEMS
Soil
The cross-cutting foundation beneath every terrestrial ecosystem – spanning boundaries, sustaining life, storing carbon.
In 30 Seconds
Soil is not a single planetary boundary – it's the foundation that connects them all. A handful of healthy soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth. This living system:
- Stores carbon– More carbon than the atmosphere and all vegetation combined
- Cycles nutrients– Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles depend on soil biology
- Filters water– Soil moisture (“green water”) regulates the water cycle
- Supports biodiversity– 25% of all species live in soil; most terrestrial life depends on it
Why it matters: We lose 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil annually. At current rates, we have roughly 60 harvests left. Soil degradation is not a future problem – it's a present crisis.
Soil Spans Multiple Boundaries
Unlike climate or biodiversity, soil doesn't have its own planetary boundary. Instead, it operates as a cross-cutting element affecting all four life-related boundaries simultaneously:
Land-System Change
PRIMARY CONNECTION
Soil degradation drives land use change. Agricultural expansion, deforestation, and urbanisation all fundamentally alter soil systems. Land-System Change metrics capture soil health indirectly through ecosystem productivity measures.
Biogeochemical Flows
NUTRIENT CYCLING
Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles happen IN soil. Soil microbes fix atmospheric nitrogen. Fertiliser overuse disrupts these cycles, causing eutrophication. Healthy soil biology is the buffer that prevents nutrient runoff.
Freshwater Change
GREEN WATER
The 2023 planetary boundaries update added “green water” – soil moisture – as a critical variable. Soil structure determines water infiltration, retention, and release. Degraded soil = drought and flood vulnerability.
Biosphere Integrity
SOIL BIODIVERSITY
Soil is Earth's most biodiverse habitat. Bacteria, fungi, nematodes, earthworms, arthropods – a single gram of soil can contain 10,000 bacterial species. This biodiversity drives decomposition, nutrient cycling, and plant health.
This cross-cutting nature explains why soil degradation has cascading effects. Damage soil, and you simultaneously impact carbon storage, water cycles, nutrient flows, and biodiversity.
What Is Soil?
Soil is not just dirt. It's a living system formed over thousands of years through the interaction of rock, water, air, and organisms. Understanding soil means understanding its components:
Physical Structure
- •Mineral particles: Sand, silt, clay – determining texture and drainage
- •Aggregates: Clumps of particles creating pore space for air and water
- •Horizons: Distinct layers from topsoil to bedrock, each with different properties
- •Pore space: ~50% of soil volume is air and water – critical for root growth
Biological Components
- •Bacteria: Nutrient cyclers, nitrogen fixers, decomposers
- •Fungi: Mycorrhizal networks connecting plants, breaking down organic matter
- •Earthworms: Soil engineers creating channels, mixing layers, aerating
- •Roots: Living root systems feed soil biology with carbon exudates
Soil Organic Matter (SOM)
The magic ingredient. SOM is decomposed plant and animal material – only 2-10% of soil by weight, but responsible for most of soil's beneficial properties:
- • Water retention (SOM holds 20x its weight in water)
- • Nutrient storage and slow release
- • Soil structure and aggregate stability
- • Carbon sequestration
- • Microbial habitat
- • Erosion resistance
Soil Carbon: The Climate Connection
Soil is the largest terrestrial carbon pool. The top metre of soil globally contains approximately:
Soil contains roughly twice as much carbon as the atmosphere. This makes soil both a massive potential source of emissions (if degraded) and a potential sink (if restored).
Carbon Loss Pathways
- • Tillage: Exposes organic matter to oxidation
- • Deforestation: Removes root inputs, accelerates decomposition
- • Drainage: Peatland drainage releases massive stored carbon
- • Erosion: Physical loss of carbon-rich topsoil
- • Bare soil: No living roots = no carbon inputs
Carbon Building Pathways
- • Living roots: Continuous carbon pumping via root exudates
- • No-till: Preserves soil structure and fungal networks
- • Cover crops: Photosynthesis year-round
- • Organic inputs: Compost, manure, crop residues
- • Perennials: Deep roots store carbon long-term
The 4 per 1000 Initiative
Launched at COP21 in 2015, the “4 per 1000” initiative proposes that increasing soil carbon by 0.4% per year could offset annual anthropogenic CO2 emissions. While debated, it illustrates soil's scale of climate relevance. Even partial success would be significant.
Measuring Soil Health
Soil health is increasingly measured and monitored. Key indicators span physical, chemical, and biological properties:
| Category | Indicator | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Aggregate stability | Resistance to erosion, water infiltration capacity |
| Bulk density | Compaction levels, root penetration potential | |
| Water holding capacity | Drought resilience, irrigation efficiency | |
| Chemical | Soil organic carbon (SOC) | Carbon storage, overall soil quality |
| pH | Nutrient availability, microbial habitat suitability | |
| Nutrient levels (N, P, K) | Fertility, fertiliser requirements | |
| Biological | Microbial biomass | Living soil activity, nutrient cycling capacity |
| Respiration rate | Microbial activity, decomposition rate | |
| Earthworm count | Soil structure, organic matter processing |
MRV for Soil
Soil MRV (Measurement, Reporting, Verification) is evolving rapidly. Remote sensing can estimate soil organic carbon from spectral data. Digital soil mapping combines field samples with satellite imagery. But ground-truth sampling remains essential – soil varies enormously over short distances. See our MRV Systems page for more on measurement infrastructure.
Soil Degradation: The Scale of the Problem
Soil degradation is one of the most underappreciated environmental crises. The statistics are stark:
of global soils are degraded (FAO estimate)
tonnes of fertile soil lost annually to erosion
harvests remaining at current degradation rates (UN estimate)
annual economic cost of soil degradation globally
Degradation Pathways
Restoring Soil Health
The good news: soil can be restored. Unlike species extinction, soil degradation is largely reversible – though timescales vary. Building one centimetre of topsoil naturally takes 500-1000 years, but soil health can improve significantly in 3-5 years with the right practices.
Core Principles of Soil Restoration
Minimise Disturbance
Reduce tillage to preserve soil structure, fungal networks, and aggregate stability. Every tillage pass releases carbon and disrupts biology.
Keep Soil Covered
Bare soil erodes, heats up, loses moisture, and loses carbon. Mulch, cover crops, or residues protect soil like skin protects the body.
Maintain Living Roots
Living roots feed soil biology with carbon exudates. Year-round root presence through cover crops or perennials keeps the soil food web active.
Maximise Diversity
Diverse plant communities support diverse soil biology. Monocultures create monocultures underground. Rotations, polycultures, and intercropping build resilience.
These principles form the foundation of Regenerative Agriculture – farming and ranching practices specifically designed to restore soil health while producing food.
Why Soil Matters for Business
Soil health is increasingly material to corporate sustainability:
Supply Chain Risk
Agricultural supply chains depend on soil. Degradation reduces yields, increases input costs, and threatens long-term supply security. Companies sourcing commodities face soil-related risks throughout their value chains.
Scope 3 Emissions
FLAG (Forest, Land and Agriculture) emissions guidance now requires companies to account for land-use emissions. Soil carbon loss is a significant source. Conversely, soil carbon sequestration through regenerative practices can contribute to net-zero targets.
Insetting Opportunities
Soil carbon projects within supply chains (“insetting”) are increasingly attractive. Companies can support regenerative transitions on supplier farms, building resilience while generating verifiable carbon removals.
TNFD and Nature Reporting
The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework includes soil health as a key indicator. Companies reporting on nature dependencies and impacts must consider soil. See our Disclosure Data page for framework details.
Key Actors in the Soil Space
Soil is gaining attention across policy, research, and industry. Key organisations shaping the soil agenda:
Global & UN Bodies
FAO Global Soil Partnership
UN-led initiative coordinating global soil governance. Produces the Status of the World's Soil Resources report and supports regional soil partnerships.
UNCCD
UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Addresses land degradation with 197 party countries. Key source for degradation statistics ($23 trillion by 2050).
4 per 1000 Initiative
Launched at COP21. Promotes annual 0.4% increase in soil carbon. Now has 700+ members including governments, NGOs, research institutions.
IPBES
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity. Land Degradation Assessment (2018) established the scientific basis for soil-biodiversity links.
European Institutions
European Soil Observatory (EUSO)
Under the EU Joint Research Centre. Coordinates EU soil monitoring, provides the European Soil Database, and supports the EU Soil Strategy.
EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe
Part of Horizon Europe. Aims to establish 100 “living labs” and “lighthouses” to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030.
EU Soil Monitoring Law (proposed)
First-ever EU-wide soil legislation. Would require member states to monitor soil health and take action on contaminated sites.
EJP SOIL
European Joint Programme on agricultural soil management. 26 countries collaborating on climate-smart, sustainable soil practices.
Research & Science
Soil Health Institute
US-based non-profit advancing soil health science. Develops measurement protocols and supports farmer adoption of soil health practices.
Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative
Scientific network focusing on soil organisms. Produced the Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas and coordinates research on soil life.
Rodale Institute
Pioneer of regenerative organic agriculture research. Running the longest-running side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional farming (since 1981).
ISRIC World Soil Information
Netherlands-based foundation providing global soil data and maps. Maintains SoilGrids – 250m resolution global soil property maps.
Industry & Advisory
Soil Association
UK charity founded 1946 – one of the oldest sustainable agriculture organisations. Runs organic certification, Food for Life (schools), and Innovative Farmers research network.
Anthesis Group
Global sustainability consultancy with regenerative agriculture practice. Published “The Future of Soil” scenario planning report (2025).
Regeneration International
Global network promoting regenerative farming. Coordinates the “Regeneration Movement” across 400+ affiliate organisations.
Savory Institute
Promotes Holistic Management for land regeneration. Global network of “hubs” training farmers in regenerative grazing.
Carbon Finance & Farmer Platforms
Soil Capital
Belgium-based platform connecting farmers with corporates for carbon payments. 1,800+ farmers across UK, France, Belgium; €13M+ paid to farmers for regenerative practices.
Indigo Ag
US agtech company with carbon programme for farmers. Combines microbial products with carbon credit generation from regenerative practices.
Nori
Carbon removal marketplace focused on soil carbon. Uses blockchain-based registry and simplified verification for agricultural carbon credits.
Agreena
European carbon programme for farmers. Generates verified carbon certificates from regenerative practices, sold to corporates for Scope 3 reduction.
The Pandion View
Soil is the most overlooked element of the sustainability conversation. We talk about climate, biodiversity, water – but rarely about the foundation they all depend on.
Soil is where planetary boundaries meet landscape reality. It's the interface between global systems thinking and on-the-ground action. You can't address land-system change, biogeochemical flows, freshwater, or biodiversity without addressing soil.
For corporates, soil represents both risk and opportunity. The risk: supply chains built on degrading soils are fragile. The opportunity: regenerative practices that restore soil health also sequester carbon, improve water resilience, and support biodiversity – addressing multiple sustainability targets simultaneously.
We help organisations understand their soil dependencies, assess soil-related risks, and develop strategies that treat soil health as foundational infrastructure rather than afterthought.
Where To Go Next
Regenerative Agriculture
Farming practices designed to restore soil health while producing food
Biosphere & Living Systems
The four life-related planetary boundaries that soil connects
MRV Systems
Measurement, Reporting, Verification infrastructure for soil data
Landscapes & Jurisdictions
Where soil meets geography, tenure, and community