The Living Ground Beneath Us
Key Points
Soil is a living system, not just dirt.
Healthy soils support food production, water storage, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
UK soils have been historically degraded, but recovery is possible.
Regenerative practices offer hope for soil restoration and climate resilience.
What Soil Really Is
Beneath our feet lies more than dirt. Soil is a living, breathing system, a complex network of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless organisms. Microbes, fungi, worms, and insects interact constantly, breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients, and creating structure that plants rely on. Healthy soils store water, filter pollutants, and lock away carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change.
Organic matter is the fuel for this underground ecosystem. It feeds microbial life, binds soil particles into aggregates, improves water retention, and stores carbon. A soil rich in living organisms is resilient. It can recover from stresses, sustain plant growth, and perform multiple ecosystem functions simultaneously.
The Hidden Damage
Much of the UK’s soil has been shaped—and damaged—by human activity. Native woodlands were cleared for grazing and arable farming, and permanent grasslands have steadily declined. Intensive ploughing, chemical fertilizers, and heavy machinery have reduced organic matter, compacted the soil, and disrupted the delicate underground ecosystem (Gregory et al., 2015).
Degradation comes in many forms:
Soil erosion removes the nutrient-rich top layer.
Compaction limits water infiltration and root growth.
Contamination, sealing, and brownfield redevelopment reduce biological activity.
Even soils that look healthy may have low organic matter, undermining fertility and resilience.
Why Living Soil Matters
The functions of soil extend far beyond growing food. Soil:
Stores carbon and helps fight climate change.
Supports a vast web of biodiversity.
Regulates water flow, reducing flooding and drought stress.
Buffers toxins and filters pollutants.
When soils degrade, these functions are compromised. Yields drop, water management suffers, and the land becomes less resilient to climate extremes.
A Glimmer of Hope: Regenerative Practices
Repairing soils is possible. Regenerative farming practices aim to restore the living soil, not just extract from it. Key approaches include:
Cover crops and diverse rotations that protect the soil and feed microbes.
Reduced tillage to maintain soil structure and minimize disruption.
Organic amendments such as compost or crop residues to boost organic matter.
Managed grazing that mimics natural patterns, preventing over-compaction.
These practices rebuild soil life, enhance fertility, and increase carbon storage. They offer a path for both healthier food and a healthier planet.
The Challenge of Climate Change
The UK is already experiencing shifts: wetter winters, drier summers, and more extreme events. Soil degradation can worsen under these conditions, affecting water storage, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity (Gregory et al., 2015). Protecting and restoring soils is therefore not just an agricultural concern—it is a climate resilience strategy.
Looking Down to Look Forward
Healthy soil is the foundation of everything above ground. Understanding and caring for the living ground beneath us is a first step toward a more resilient food system, a thriving ecosystem, and a stable climate. Repair is possible, and regenerative practices provide a hopeful path forward.
References
Ostle, N.J., Levy, P.E., Evans, C.D., Smith, P. (2009). Land use and land use change as a determinant of the soil’s ability to sequester and store carbon in the UK. Land Use Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2009.08.006
Gregory, A.S., Ritz, K., McGrath, S.P., Quinton, J.N., Goulding, K.W.T., Jones, R.J.A., Harris, J.A., Bol, R., Wallace, P., Pilgrim, E.S., Whitmore, A.P. (2015). A review of the impacts of degradation threats on soil properties in the UK. Soil Use and Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12212