Soil Condition Risk

Soil condition indicates whether soil can perform basic functions to benefit human use and ecosystems alike. This indicator is based on soil organic carbon (SOC) content. SOC is the main component of soil organic matter and is a prerequisite for soil functions and food production, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While there are many other aspects that can influence soil condition, SOC has also long been used as an indicator of soil health, due to its capacity to improve soil structural stability, which affects porosity, aeration and water filtration capacities to supply clean water. GSOCmap is the first global SOC map, produced through a consultative and participatory process involving Global Soil Partnership member countries, which makes this map unique.