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Why nutrients and soil health matter
Healthy soils - a foundation for healthy food, water, nature and people
Have your say on how we can improve the health of our soils and rebalance our natural nutrient cycles.
Introduction
Soil and nutrients are the foundations of healthy life in our region. Our soil is a precious resource; we need healthy soil and balanced nutrient cycles for food growth, carbon sequestration and storage (removing excess carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away), and to ensure wildlife can thrive. Healthy soil also absorbs surface water, helping to prevent flooding. However, at present much of the UK’s soil is in a degraded condition - where the health of the soil declines and has less capacity to support plants and animals. Degraded soil also contributes to the excess emissions in our atmosphere.
Below you will find a draft paper, bringing together the themes, thoughts and existing research, and insights from our Delivering Impact session on this topic, setting out actions we can take in the region to protect and restore the health of our soils, and rebalance the nutrient cycles that are starting to fail.
Please read the draft paper on nutrient cycles and soil health, and share your thoughts in the survey below.
The draft paper brings in ideas and expertise from our Commissioners, research, and experts who are tackling the problem across the country, in the region, and on the ground. You can watch the expert speaker session on this topic in the video at the foot of this page.
At this stage, the paper might not give the full picture so we would really value your feedback. The ideas we are discussing affect everyone - we want to know what you think.
So please give your responses in the survey below.
The paper outlines a number of ways we can improve soil health in the region including:
- Rethink how we manage land in our region.
- Create a regional map of carbon stored in soil and where this could be improved.
- Encourage policies that prevent the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in domestic settings.
- Facilitate all farmers and landowners to have a soil assessment done.
- Create opportunities for farmers and landowners to see examples of soil-focused land management in practice.
- Develop financing mechanisms to attract more investment from the private sector into regenerative farming.
We would like your input to challenge and shape the ideas set out in this first draft.
We are keen to hear from experts on different aspects of land, soil and nutrients, to ensure rigour in our interpretation of the science and social factors underpinning this paper.
We are equally keen to hear the views of people who live and work in Yorkshire and the Humber to ensure our final position paper and actions address the needs of people and communities across the region.
Not important
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Drop files to upload
A recording of the Delivering Impact session on nutrient cycles and soil health is available to view below.
If you do not wish to view the video, click 'next' to submit your survey.
We heard from two expert speakers during this session on 23rd May 2023, each presenting their perspectives on soil health and nutrient cycles. The speakers, panel and other attendees then discussed the opportunities and the actions we could take as a region.
Yorkshire's Soils
Iain McDonell, Environment AgencyI'm capturing carbon, who's paying?
Paul Temple, Wold Farm
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