Soil Health and Environmental Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review of Functions, Challenges, and Conservation Practices

Abstract

This review examines soil health's pivotal role in sustaining agricultural productivity, ecosystem services, and climate regulation, emphasizing conservation practices, technological innovations, and policy recommendations essential for its preservation. Soil functions, such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and water filtration, are critical for environmental stability but are increasingly compromised by degradation factors including erosion, pollution, and climate change. Sustainable agricultural practices, including crop rotation and agroforestry, enhance soil organic matter by up to 30% and reduce erosion by 50%, underscoring their effectiveness. Remediation techniques like phytoremediation and bioremediation reduce contaminant levels by 20-90%, offering solutions for polluted soils. Technological advancements in soil monitoring, such as remote sensing and soil sensors, enable precision management, while policy frameworks and community engagement are crucial for long-term soil conservation. This integrated approach highlights the need for continued research to address soil resilience under changing climate conditions and the impact of emerging pollutants, ensuring soil health for future generations.