The Science of Soil Security
Multidisciplinary Perspectives
- 1st Edition - October 1, 2026
- Latest edition
- Editors: Daniela Figueroa, Thalita Abbruzzini, Quetzalcoatl Orozco, Denisse Archundia Peralta, Blanca Prado Pano
- Language: English
The Science of Soil Security: Multidisciplinary Perspectives offers a multidisciplinary examination of the five dimensions of the soil security framework—capacity, condition, c… Read more
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Description
Description
The Science of Soil Security: Multidisciplinary Perspectives offers a multidisciplinary examination of the five dimensions of the soil security framework—capacity, condition, capital, connectivity, and codification—highlighting their collective importance in addressing soil conservation and sustainable management challenges. Through integrated analyses and case-based insights, the chapters explore key soil-related issues and propose actionable pathways for transitioning toward soil security. Soil security is presented as a robust, multidimensional framework applicable across local, regional, national, and global scales. By advancing the science of soil security, the book supports the identification of both the reference state of soils and their current condition, and examines the social, institutional, and governance mechanisms required to overcome persistent challenges in soil conservation and sustainable management. In doing so, it offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners engaged in safeguarding soils for society.
Key features
Key features
- Provides a multidisciplinary perspective on the science of soil through the soil security framework.
- Integrates the perspectives and experiences of researchers, producers, government officials, and an international agency.
- Examines challenges affecting rural, urban, and peri-urban soils and proposes solutions for soil conservation and sustainable management that are transferable to comparable social-ecological contexts.
Readership
Readership
Researchers and professionals who work in soil science
Table of contents
Table of contents
1. Interconnections Between Soil, Water, and Food Security
1.1 Brief Introduction
1.2 The Importance of Soil Security to Ensure Water Availability and Cleanliness
1.3 The Role of Soil Within the Dimensions of Availability and Stability of Food Security
1.4 Case Studies or Examples
1.5 Challenges and Opportunities
1.5.1 Integrated Soil, Water, and Food Management
1.6 Future Directions
2. Managing Soil Erosion and Degradation for Enhanced Soil Security
2.1 Brief Introduction
2.2 Natural and Anthropogenic Factors Contributing to Soil Erosion and Contamination
2.3 Developing Mitigation Strategies
2.4 Case Studies or Examples
2.5 Challenges and Opportunities
2.6 Future Directions
3. Soil Health and Quality and Its Role on Long-Term Sustainability
3.1 Brief Introduction
3.2 Methods to Enhance Soil Fertility and Sustainability
3.3 Soil Organic Matter Content, Soil Carbon Sequestration, Microbial Activity, and Different Land Management Practices
3.4 Case Studies or Examples
3.5 Challenges and Opportunities
3.6 Future Directions
4. Climate Change and Soil Condition
4.1 Brief Introduction
4.2 Effects of Extreme Weather Events on Soil Erosion, Moisture Retention, and Crop Productivity
4.3 Land Use and Land Cover Change Implications on Climate Change
4.4 Case Studies or Examples
4.5 Challenges and Opportunities
4.6 Future Directions
5. Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
5.1 Brief Introduction
5.2 Soil Biodiversity Contributes to Overall Ecosystem Health and Productivity
5.3 Soil Ecosystem Services
5.4 Case Studies or Examples
5.5 Challenges and Opportunities
6. Generation and Analysis of Information for Sustainable Soil Management
6.1 Brief Introduction
6.2 Remote Sensing
6.3 Geographic Information Systems
6.4 Precision Agriculture
6.5 Soil Moisture Sensors
6.6 Case Studies or Examples
6.7 Challenges and Opportunities
6.8 Future Directions
7. Sustainable Strategies in Urban and Rural Contexts as Connectors to Promote Soil Security
7.1 Brief Introduction
7.2 Technosols
7.3 Sustainable Management Practices
7.4 Case Studies or Examples
7.5 Challenges and Opportunities
7.6 Future Directions
8. Approaching Connectivity Through the Analysis of the Implementation of the “Global Soil Doctors” Program in Latin America
8.1 Brief Introduction
8.2 Overview of the Program at a Global Scale
8.3 Challenges and Advancements in Latin America
8.4 Case Study of Mexico, Chile, and Colombia
8.5 Challenges and Opportunities
8.6 Future Directions
9. Socioeconomic Aspects as Drivers of Community Change That Promote Soil Security
9.1 Brief Introduction
9.2 The Role of the Education of Children, Local Knowledge, and Community Engagement
9.3 Market Incentives and Access to Financial Resources in Achieving Soil Security
9.4 Case Studies or Examples
9.5 Challenges and Opportunities
9.6 Future Directions
10. Soil Governance: A Coding Tool for Soil Security
10.1 Brief Introduction
10.2 Effectiveness of Regulations and Incentives
10.3 Community-Based Approaches in Promoting Soil Governance
10.4 Case Studies or Examples
10.4.1 The National Soil Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture (ENASAS) in Mexico
10.4.2 Germany's National Rural Development Program (NRDP)
10.5 Challenges and Opportunities
11. Soil Security for the Future
11.1 Brief Introduction
11.2 Future Directions of Soil Security
11.2.1 Key Research Areas
11.2.2 Public Policy Perspectives
11.2.3 Community and Citizen Actions
11.3 Conclusions on Sustainability
1.1 Brief Introduction
1.2 The Importance of Soil Security to Ensure Water Availability and Cleanliness
1.3 The Role of Soil Within the Dimensions of Availability and Stability of Food Security
1.4 Case Studies or Examples
1.5 Challenges and Opportunities
1.5.1 Integrated Soil, Water, and Food Management
1.6 Future Directions
2. Managing Soil Erosion and Degradation for Enhanced Soil Security
2.1 Brief Introduction
2.2 Natural and Anthropogenic Factors Contributing to Soil Erosion and Contamination
2.3 Developing Mitigation Strategies
2.4 Case Studies or Examples
2.5 Challenges and Opportunities
2.6 Future Directions
3. Soil Health and Quality and Its Role on Long-Term Sustainability
3.1 Brief Introduction
3.2 Methods to Enhance Soil Fertility and Sustainability
3.3 Soil Organic Matter Content, Soil Carbon Sequestration, Microbial Activity, and Different Land Management Practices
3.4 Case Studies or Examples
3.5 Challenges and Opportunities
3.6 Future Directions
4. Climate Change and Soil Condition
4.1 Brief Introduction
4.2 Effects of Extreme Weather Events on Soil Erosion, Moisture Retention, and Crop Productivity
4.3 Land Use and Land Cover Change Implications on Climate Change
4.4 Case Studies or Examples
4.5 Challenges and Opportunities
4.6 Future Directions
5. Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
5.1 Brief Introduction
5.2 Soil Biodiversity Contributes to Overall Ecosystem Health and Productivity
5.3 Soil Ecosystem Services
5.4 Case Studies or Examples
5.5 Challenges and Opportunities
6. Generation and Analysis of Information for Sustainable Soil Management
6.1 Brief Introduction
6.2 Remote Sensing
6.3 Geographic Information Systems
6.4 Precision Agriculture
6.5 Soil Moisture Sensors
6.6 Case Studies or Examples
6.7 Challenges and Opportunities
6.8 Future Directions
7. Sustainable Strategies in Urban and Rural Contexts as Connectors to Promote Soil Security
7.1 Brief Introduction
7.2 Technosols
7.3 Sustainable Management Practices
7.4 Case Studies or Examples
7.5 Challenges and Opportunities
7.6 Future Directions
8. Approaching Connectivity Through the Analysis of the Implementation of the “Global Soil Doctors” Program in Latin America
8.1 Brief Introduction
8.2 Overview of the Program at a Global Scale
8.3 Challenges and Advancements in Latin America
8.4 Case Study of Mexico, Chile, and Colombia
8.5 Challenges and Opportunities
8.6 Future Directions
9. Socioeconomic Aspects as Drivers of Community Change That Promote Soil Security
9.1 Brief Introduction
9.2 The Role of the Education of Children, Local Knowledge, and Community Engagement
9.3 Market Incentives and Access to Financial Resources in Achieving Soil Security
9.4 Case Studies or Examples
9.5 Challenges and Opportunities
9.6 Future Directions
10. Soil Governance: A Coding Tool for Soil Security
10.1 Brief Introduction
10.2 Effectiveness of Regulations and Incentives
10.3 Community-Based Approaches in Promoting Soil Governance
10.4 Case Studies or Examples
10.4.1 The National Soil Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture (ENASAS) in Mexico
10.4.2 Germany's National Rural Development Program (NRDP)
10.5 Challenges and Opportunities
11. Soil Security for the Future
11.1 Brief Introduction
11.2 Future Directions of Soil Security
11.2.1 Key Research Areas
11.2.2 Public Policy Perspectives
11.2.3 Community and Citizen Actions
11.3 Conclusions on Sustainability
Product details
Product details
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: October 1, 2026
- Language: English
About the editors
About the editors
DF
Daniela Figueroa
Daniela Figueroa is a biologist at the Industrial University of Santander (Colombia). She holds a Master's in Sustainability Sciences and a PhD in Geography from UNAM. Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Geology at UNAM. Her research focuses on studying soil biogeochemistry, rural food security, assessment of ecosystem services, and the development of sustainable management scenarios within small-scale agricultural and cattle systems in tropical contexts.
Affiliations and expertise
Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Geology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)., Coyoacán, Mexico City, MexicoTA
Thalita Abbruzzini
Thalita Abbruzzini is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Geology at UNAM. She holds a degree in Agronomy from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) in Brazil and completed her master’s and PhD in Soil and Plant Nutrition at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil. Her research is dedicated to soil biogeochemistry and the dynamics of soil organic matter, with a particular focus on physical, chemical, and biological processes within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, and sustainable soil management practices.
Affiliations and expertise
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Geology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, MexicoQO
Quetzalcoatl Orozco
Quetzalcoatl Orozco is a researcher at the Institute of Geography at UNAM, based in the Territorial Studies Unit in Oaxaca City, and serves as the academic coordinator of the University Extension Unit in Oaxaca. Holds a degree in Agroecology Engineering from the Autonomous University of Chapingo (AUCh) and completed his post-doctorate in the Centre for Research in Environmental Geography (CIGA) after earning a PhD in Geography from the University of California (UC Davies) (2009-2014). His research primarily explores the interplay between culture and the diversity of native maize, alongside the social and environmental dynamics that influence changes in and conservation of agrobiodiversity. His interests include traditional agriculture, territorial planning, biodiversity conservation, and the knowledge and in situ management of genetic resources for agriculture. Currently, he is focused on studying agrobiodiversity and vegetation cover in the Mixteca Alta region of Oaxaca.
Affiliations and expertise
Researcher, Institute of Geography, Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, MexicoDP
Denisse Archundia Peralta
Denisse Archundia Peralta currently works as researcher at the Institute of Geology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She completed her PhD in environmental sciences at the University of Grenoble (France). She is interested in the study of the environmental fate of inorganic and organic contaminants and their impacts on aquatic environments, soils, and human/animal populations.
Affiliations and expertise
Researcher, Institute of Geology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, MexicoBP
Blanca Prado Pano
Blanca Prado Pano is a researcher for the soil and environment group at the Institute of Geology, of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Her research focuses primarily on the dynamics of water movement, influenced by soil structure and porosity. Since assuming the role of inaugural coordinator of the University Program for Interdisciplinary Soil Studies in 2021, her role has been pivotal in fostering synergies between government agencies, the scientific community, and society at large. Her commitment is directed toward enhancing sustainable soil management and bolstering conservation efforts.
Affiliations and expertise
Researcher, Soil and Environment Group, Institute of Geology and Coordinator of the University Program for Interdisciplinary Soil Studies (PUEIS) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico