Earth Matters

Subtitled 'how soil underlies civilisation', this highly readable and authoritative book bridges the science of soil into a general readership and as such should be widely read by environmentalists and others. He makes clear that the proper and sustainable management of soil is a critical imperative as mismanagement has led to the demise of previous civilisations. This is particularly important for us as modern industrial methods compromise the organic matter in soil. Bardgett explains how soil forms over many millennia in different layers depending on climate, temperature, human intervention and the passage of time. Biodiversity is important in our soils, even if there is a certain redundancy in terms of replacing certain elements. He mentions Sir Albert Howard in this context, but not Lady Eve Balfour, founder of the Soil Association. Her book is not in the index. In passing, he mentions the importance of terroir in the production of wine. Large amounts of soil are paved over or developed every year - this is particularly the case in China, where it has had an impact on domestic production. Another chapter deals with effect of war on soil - the land in northern France is only just recovering completely after 100 years. Then he considers soil and climate change (soil as a carbon sink) and prospects for the future in terms of dealing with rapid soil change. This requires soil to be placed on the political agenda, as has already happened in the UN. Bardgett concludes, rightly, that 'soil needs to be considered as an investment to be protected and cared for, and as part of the support network for human life.' And, he could have added, all life, not just us humans.