Value of soil quality

ECONOMIC VALUE

Good soil quality has an important role in enabling larger crops and thus larger agricultural income. The soil quality plays an important role also in forestry sector. Economic value of soil quality includes the avoided costs of soil quality improvements.

HEALTH VALUE

If the natural soil quality remains good and soil organisms functional the need for artificial substances decreases. This also decreases the possibility of environmental toxins in the soil. Toxins may be a health risk both in agricultural products and as they spread from agricultural lands to the waterways.

INTRINSIC VALUE

Good soil quality is  not only useful to some economic sectors such as agriculture and forestry but maintain the basis for the cycling of substances and thus the functionality of the whole ecosystem.

SOCIAL VALUE

Good soil quality guarantees the reliable domestic food production.

 

Updated (12.01.2015)