THE CONTRIBUTION OF SOIL BIODIVERSITY IN FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

As the world have come to the reality of the increasing impact of climate change on Agriculture and the society at large, the Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) will like to draw the attention of farmers, Agricultural Extension experts, Agricultural development professionals etc to the influential role of soil biodiversity in serving as a defense system against climate change in order to maintain the fertility of the soil to ensure the productivity of crops and animals.

These informative issues on soil biodiversity will thus provide the much the needed education in order to promote our increased commitment in managing the soil to strengthen its ability to support plant and animal life in the wake of climate change.

 Did you know that….????? 

1. One hectare of soil contains the equivalent in weight of one cow of bacteria, two sheep of protozoa and four rabbits of soil fauna.

2. There are typically one (1) billion bacteria cells and about 10,000 different genomes in one gram of soil.

3. Every year, soil organisms process an amount of organic matter equivalent in weight to 25 cars on a surface area as big as a soccer field.

4. Only 1% of soil microorganism species are known.

5. Fungal biodiversity has been conservatively estimated at 1.5 million species.

6. Earth worms often form the major part of soil fauna biodiversity, representing up to 60% in some ecosystems.

7. Soil biodiversity helps fight climate change due to their ability to rapidly multiply with a strong defensive mechanism.

8. The elimination of earthworm population can reduce the water infiltration rate in soil by up to 93%.

9. The improper management of soil biodiversity worldwide has been estimated to cause a loss of 1 trillion dollars per year.

10. The use of pesticides causes a loss of more than 8 billion dollars per year.

11. Some nematodes hunt for small animals by building various types of traps, such as rings or produce adhesive subsistence to entrap and to colonise their prey.

12. Several sol organisms can help plants fight against above ground pest and herbivores.

13. Termites have air conditioning in their nests.

14. Bacteria population can double in 20 minutes.

15. Soil bacteria can produce antibiotics.

16. Soil microorganisms can be dispersed over kilometers.

Following the essential role that soil biodiversity play in supporting the soil fight the increasing effect of climate change, it is important for farmers to be educated on the influential role of soil biodiversity in order to promote their adoption of best agronomic practices to support the life of soil biodiversity for sustainable Agricultural production.

The Savannah Young Farmers Network (SavaNet) under its climate smart Agricultural project therefore offers Agricultural advisory service on climate smart Agricultural practices that is aimed at equipping farmers with the requisite knowledge to enable them engage in sustainable Agricultural production.