Soils

Soils cover most of the natural world, forming the foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems and services. They support key processes in biomass production and mass exchange with atmospheric and hydrological systems. It is difficult to value the direct financial contribution that healthy soils make to our economy. But it is now widely acknowledged that the sustainable management of soils, and the protection of soils' ability to deliver a wide range of environmental and ecological services, is essential to achieving sustainable economic growth.

What can we do to help?

The management of our soil revolves around issues of productivity, conservation or environmental quality.

The Scottish Soil Framework

Soils, a vital part of our economy, environment and heritage to be safeguarded for existing and future generations

Soil carbon management

Our role for protecting and conserving Scotland's important soils to reduce the impacts of climate change through carbon loss

Related Links

State of Scotland's soil reports

The latest 'State of Scotland's Soil' report was published on 22 March 2011 and is now available via the SEPA website