Soil Ecosystem Services in the Alps
Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from the ecosystem (MEA 2005).
As an integral part of the terrestrial ecosystem, soils play a crucial role in the provision of a myriad of so-called soil ecosystem services.
Soil is the basis of Alpine ecosystems; it is a fundamental natural resource especially in the vulnerable Alpine Region.
Through the sustainable management and protection of soil, we enhance the sustainable management of the Alpine environment, considerably contribute to the performance and resilience of key ecosystem services, preserve biodiversity, and ensure the well-being of humans.
Soil ecosystem services are vital components to all aspects of life and they support the production of ecosystem goods and services, such as:
- Food, fibre, and energy provision,
- Water storage and purification,
- Neutralization, filtering and buffering of pollutants,
- Natural hazard regulation,
- Climate regulation,
- Archive natural and cultural phenomena.
Soil management and protection is provided for in the framework of the Soil Conservation Protocol of the Alpine Convention, which is aimed at safeguarding the multifunctional role of soil based on the concept of sustainable development.
The provision of soil ecosystem services relies on soil properties, processes and functions. Furthermore, healthy and diverse soils ensure biodiversity among soil biota (soil biodiversity), which in turn guarantees the provision of soil ecosystem services.
Since soil ecosystem services are based on Soil Functions and Soil Biodiversity, this section also holds further information on those topics.
You can read more about ecosystem functions and services in a summary, written by Dr Edmundo Barrios (UN Food & Agriculture Organization).
Download the Links4Soils booklet: