Soil organic matter must be restored to near original levels

Abstract

Burning of fossil fuels globally helps put 3 billion metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere per year more than is removed by all carbon sinks. By far the best use of that carbon would be to arrange sufficient extra plant growth and then transfer that plant growth into new stable soil organic matter. Twenty or more years of such effort would immensely improve the soils of the world. Any fraction of it would help decrease the threat of global greenhouse warming. A great worldwide goal should be to increase levels of soil organic matter levels considerably. It should be possible. The most important research relating to soil organic matter is perhaps yet to be done. Elucidation of the regulators involved in the build‐up and decomposition processes of various types of soil organic matter deserves high priority. It should be possible to develop technologies where the regulators can be managed and controlled for the beneficial purpose of increasing levels of soil organic matter. The role of calcium in stabilizing soil organic matter needs more study. Genetic engineering of specific microorganisms may be needed to increase levels of soil organic matter.