Soil Degradation as a Planetary Threat to Agricultural Productivity and Long-Term Food Security: A Global Synthesis of Impacts and Rehabilitation Strategies

Abstract— Soil degradation—including erosion, salinization, nutrient depletion, organic-matter decline, and biodiversity loss—has emerged as one of the most urgent threats to agricultural productivity and long-term food security. This paper provides an integrative global synthesis, analyzing the interconnected biophysical and socio-economic dimensions of soil degradation and evaluating the effectiveness of large-scale rehabilitation responses. We find that nearly 33% of the Earth’s soils are degraded, directly impacting 1.7 billion people through reduced yields. Projections indicate that 90% of soils could be degraded by 2050, risking US$23 trillion in economic losses. However, our analysis of major global restoration initiatives reveals that degradation is reversible. Success hinges on integrating science-based practices (e.g., agroforestry, terracing) with strong policy support and community engagement. This synthesis underscores that safeguarding soil health is not merely an agronomic concern but a foundational prerequisite for achieving global food security and sustainable development goals. Coordinated action to scale up proven soil-rehabilitation models is urgently needed.