Soil health

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Humus - the basis of life | Franz Rösl | TEDxOTHRegensburg
TEDx Talks· 2025-09-22 16:39
Soil Health and Human Health - The quality of the soil directly reflects human health, as humans are a reflection of the earth that provides food [2] - Plants transform the earth into a form that humans can incorporate into their bodies, highlighting the importance of plant-soil interaction [1][2] - Soil is a living organism with the ability to regulate and heal itself, functioning like an organism through symbiotic processes [5] - Symbiosis between plants and microorganisms is crucial for nutrient supply and protection from predators [6][7] - Healthy soil can absorb up to 100 liters of water per square meter, preventing flooding and soil erosion [13] Impact of Agricultural Practices - Pesticide use destroys symbiosis between plants and other organisms, causing permanent damage to soil life and affecting plant health [8] - Force-feeding plants with liquid manure or synthetic fertilizers disrupts symbiosis, leading to sick plants and potentially sick people [10] - Soil compaction from heavy machinery hinders plant root growth, making them less resistant to stress and reducing yield [16][17] Soil Management and Sustainability - Humus is a result of symbiotic processes and is a very important part of the soil; conditions should be created to promote its buildup [7][8] - Loss of humus through erosion leads to higher loss of soil fertility, with 1 cm of humus soil taking 100 years to form [14] - Maintaining biodiversity in fields makes the use of pesticides unnecessary, promoting plant health and disease resistance [11][12] - Healthy soil promotes the quality of drinking water and groundwater recharge through active microorganisms that purify water [15][16] Interconnectedness of Life - Everything is connected in symbiosis, emphasizing that health is based on a symbiotic environment and peace [18][19]
The answer is soil | Chris Huskins | TEDxWinchester
TEDx Talks· 2025-07-01 16:58
Environmental Concerns & Challenges - Soil depletion poses a significant threat, potentially rendering soils unable to grow food within 60 years [1] - Conventional agricultural practices, including plowing and chemical use, degrade soil health, leading to dust storms, floods, and rising food prices [2][5] - Degraded soils lose their capacity to hold water and store carbon, exacerbating climate change and food insecurity [5] - Over the past 70 years, the nutritional content of fruits and vegetables has decreased significantly due to soil degradation [6] Solutions & Regenerative Practices - Healthy soil, teeming with microorganisms, can sequester carbon, filter water, and provide essential nutrients for food production [4][5] - Regenerative agriculture practices, such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and livestock integration, can restore soil health and ecosystem function [10] - Gabe Brown's farm serves as a successful example of how regenerative practices can revitalize degraded land and enhance resilience to extreme weather [11] - Beavers can act as natural water engineers, creating wetlands that boost biodiversity and replenish soil [13][14] Call to Action - Supporting farmers who employ regenerative or organic practices is crucial for promoting soil restoration [17] - Governments should prioritize funding soil restoration initiatives over destructive agricultural practices [17] - Recognizing soil as the foundation of life and educating future generations about its importance is essential for ensuring a sustainable future [18]