Systematic Review on the Impact of Climate Change on Soil Properties: Implications for Sustainable Land Management

Climate change significantly affects soil properties, posing challenges for sustainable land management. This review synthesizes recent findings on the impact of climate change rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events—on key soil attributes, including organic carbon content, pH, bulk density, and nutrient availability. The methodology involves a systematic review of 282 peer‐reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025, analyzed using descriptive and qualitative approaches. Key quantitative results reveal that rising temperatures lead to an average decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks by 8%–15% over the past 3 decades, with arid and semiarid regions showing the most significant losses (up to 12%). Increased rainfall variability has been linked to a 20%–30% decline in aggregate stability, resulting in heightened soil erosion rates, which increased by up to 25% in regions experiencing intense rainfall, and a reduction in water infiltration rates. Soil pH decreased by 0.4 units in high rainfall areas, while cation exchange capacity declined by 15% across multiple agroecological zones. Prolonged droughts contributed to a 12% decrease in microbial biomass, disrupting nutrient cycling and reducing soil fertility. In contrast, studies on elevated atmospheric CO 2 levels suggest a potential 10%–25% increase in root biomass, which could partially offset SOC losses. These changes have significant implications for crop productivity, water retention, and overall ecosystem stability. The review emphasizes the importance of adopting sustainable land management practices, including conservation tillage, agroforestry, and the application of organic amendments, to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on soil health. Policymakers and land managers are recommended to prioritize region‐specific adaptation strategies, strengthen soil monitoring systems, and promote practices that enhance soil resilience under changing climatic conditions. Future research should focus on integrating soil management practices with climate‐smart agriculture to ensure long‐term sustainability and food security.