India, Dec. 6 -- FAO report finds most black soils moderate to severely eroded due to land-use change, unsustainablepractices

Black soils, which feed the global population, are under threat, with most losing at least half of their soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, according to a new United Nations report. The inherent fertility of the soils make them the food basket for many countries and are considered essential to the global food supply.

Land-use change, unsustainable management practices and excessive use of agrochemicals are to blame, found the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Global status of black soils is the first such report, released on the occasion of World Soil Day, December 5, 2022.

These soils are characterised by...