World’s Soil Resources

Soil sealing
and land
take
Soil
acidification
Compaction
Waterlogging
Loss of soil
biodiversity
Rapid urbanization and
development of mega-cites
significantly increased the
rate of impervious surface
area (ISA). Asia region has
the largest ISA within the
global regions.
There is substantial area
of acid soils distributed in
tropical and subtropical
regions of Asia, mainly in
Southeast Asia, parts of East
and South Asia.
This is mainly caused by
unbalanced and unsuitable
application of chemical
fertilizers. Distribution
of acid sulphate soils in
tropical Asia also limits crop
production.
Mechanization of land
management has increased
compaction of surface
soil and/or subsoil in
cropland, grassland and
timber forests. Increase in
livestock trampling is also a
major cause of surface soil
compaction in grassland and
hilly region.
Anthropogenic activates
such as poor drainage
system and deforestation in
the upstream areas increase
the threat to waterlogging
in the flood prone areas.
Limited information is
available for soil biodiversity
in Asia. Some reports show
high microbial biodiversity in
the soils of organic farming
lands.
Table 10.4 Summary of Soil Threats Status, trends and uncertainties in Asia
Status of the World’s Soil Resources | Main Report Regional Assessment of Soil Changes
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in Asia