A high-ranking UN official stressed the importance of black soil (chernozem) for food security throughout the world, and called on countries that possess this soil to take care to protect it as it is extremely vulnerable to degradation.
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“Black soil is one of the most fertile soils in the world and plays an important role in agricultural production and global food security,” said Yasmine Fouad, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in an interview with Novosti. “Besides Russia, this soil is found in Kazakhstan, Moldova, Romania and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Northeast China and certain areas of North America.”
The expert continued: "Despite its natural fertility, this soil is vulnerable to degradation. Water and wind erosion, intensive agriculture, low organic matter content in the soil, and increasing water scarcity are factors that can gradually reduce its productivity," noting that drought associated with climate change may exacerbate these negative effects.
Fouad stressed that "protecting this fertile soil is an investment in future food security. By preventing its degradation today, countries can maintain agricultural production, support rural communities, and avoid much higher costs for land restoration in the future."
UN experts affirm that Russia possesses a rich scientific heritage and practical experience in soil conservation and sustainable land management. The organization hopes that the memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences will open avenues for collaboration between Russian scientists and their counterparts from other countries.
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