Spain faces desertification as droughts and heatwaves intensify
Desertification presents a grave challenge in Spain, worsened by longer droughts and more extreme heatwaves driven by climate change. Experts propose boosting soil organic matter to slow this trend and strengthen resilience.
The United Nations program aimed at fighting desertification has warned that a large portion of Spain’s land is at risk. This threat not only jeopardizes ecosystems but also endangers agricultural production in many regions.
According to Susana Rodriguez-Echeverría of the Spanish Society for Terrestrial Ecology, lands across Spain are deteriorating due to a broad lack of awareness about soil importance, biodiversity, and the time required for regeneration. She notes that traditional farming practices contribute to soil erosion, while public understanding of the issue remains limited.
There is broad agreement among scientists that increasing soil organic matter is central to soil health. Organic matter comprises plant residues, living organisms, decomposed material, and stable humus, all of which support soil life and fertility.
There are multiple sustainable management strategies to boost these soil elements. Practices include maintaining soil cover, reducing degradation, and integrating plant and animal residues into the soil to enrich organic content.
Raising organic matter directly enhances the soil’s capacity to retain water, an essential factor in mitigating droughts and wildfire risks. Drought tends to drive up evaporation, making it harder for soils to stay moist, and organic matter plays a decisive role in reversing that trend.
When soil organic content rises, water-holding capacity can improve significantly. Estimates suggest that a modest 1 percent increase in organic matter may translate into meaningful gains in soil water retention across agricultural landscapes.
Experts emphasize that organic matter is critical for soil functioning. It helps hold water, reduces erosion, and provides habitat and nutrients for living organisms. These benefits underpin many soil ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling and natural decontamination.
Soil as a carbon reserve
Increasing organic matter also raises the amount of carbon stored in soil, contributing to atmospheric carbon sinks. If Spain’s aggregate agricultural soils are considered, the soil carbon stock could play a notable role in removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Jorge Mataix-Solera, president of the Spanish Society for Soil Sciences and professor at Miguel Hernández University, explains that soil organic matter improves water and nutrient retention, soil structure, and porosity. Healthy soil serves as a long-term reservoir of nutrients and energy for microorganisms, and a quarter of the planet’s biodiversity resides underground.
Soil organic matter generally supports high soil quality for agricultural production and helps regulate the hydrological cycle. Maintaining this matter aligns with delivering multiple ecosystem services in a balanced way, as noted by FAO leadership and researchers at various institutions.
A global challenge
Leading soil scientists in Spain advocate for a movement backed by international bodies to address soil degradation and help governments implement concrete soil-conservation policies. The aim is to ensure that soils sustain at least 3 to 6 percent organic matter worldwide, securing long-term agricultural viability.
Public messaging highlights the importance of soil health for life on Earth. Advocates emphasize that awareness among society and policymakers is key to protecting soil and reducing degradation, with initiatives like Save Soil bringing visibility to the issue and encouraging action, as noted by experts and researchers alike.
Collaborative efforts continue to focus on soil stewardship as a foundation for sustainable farming and environmental resilience. Inquiries and collaboration channels for environmental initiatives are shared by experts and organizations involved in soil science and conservation.