On the Protection of Scotland's Soils

Extract*


Soil is a key and very complex natural resource that provides us with essential services for life on our planet including food production, water purification and protection against flooding, valuable habitats, recreation areas and, crucially, climate regulation. Scottish soils are distinctly different to soils elsewhere in the UK and they require specific management guidance and protection strategies.


Scotland’s soil supports the agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries and the high quality products they produce. Crucially, soils also make the largest contribution to terrestrial carbon storage in the UK and, therefore, must be managed properly to prevent increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. In addition, Scotland’s beautiful landscapes and habitats of national and international
renown are a direct result of soils and their management. The generally good water quality of Scotland is somewhat dependent on soil management and its impact on diffuse pollution. Soil management also impacts flood risk. Scotland’s soil, air and water environments are therefore linked and interact.


Consequently, it is vital that future policy developments in Scotland take this into account, i.e. that the soil, air and water environments are viewed as a whole and that each component is given equal importance.


*'The State Of Scotland's Soil' Just google and it downloads as a PDF