Soil degradation, caused by land misuse and soil mismanagement, has plagued humanity since the dawn of settled agriculture. Many once thriving civilizations collapsed due to erosion, salinization, nutrient depletion and other soil degradation processes. The Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, that saved hundreds of millions from starvation in Asia and elsewhere, by-passed Sub-Saharan Africa. This remains the only region in the world where the number of hungry and food-insecure populations will still be on the increase even by 2020. The serious technological and political challenges are being exacerbated by the rising energy costs. Resource-poor and small-size land-holders can neither afford the expensive input nor are they sure of their effectiveness because of degraded soils and the harsh, changing climate. Consequently, crop yields are adversely impacted by accelerated erosion, and depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and nutrients because of the extractive farming practices. Low crop yields, despite growing improved varieties, are due to the severe soil degradation, especially the low SOM reserves and poor soil structure that aggravate drought stress. Components of recommended technology include: no-till; residue mulch and cover crops; integrated nutrient management; and biochar used in conjunction with improved crops (genetically modified, biotechnology) and cropping systems, and energy plantation for biofuel production. However, its low acceptance, e.g. for no-till farming, is due to a range of biophysical, social and economic factors. Competing uses of crop residues for other needs is among numerous factors limiting the adoption of no-till farming. Creating another income stream for resource-poor farmers, through payments for ecosystem services, e.g., C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems, is an important strategy for promoting the adoption of recommended technologies. Adoption of improved soil management practices is essential to adapt to the changing climate, and meeting the needs of growing populations for food, fodder, fuel and fabrics. Soil restoration and sustainable management are essential to achieving food security, and global peace and stability.

中文翻译：

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土壤和食物充足。回顾

自从定居农业开始以来，由土地滥用和土壤管理不善引起的土壤退化就一直困扰着人类。许多曾经繁荣的文明由于侵蚀，盐碱化，养分消耗和其他土壤退化过程而崩溃。1960年代和1970年代的绿色革命绕过了撒哈拉以南非洲，使亚洲和其他地区的饥荒得以挽救了数亿。这仍然是世界上直到2020年饥饿和粮食不安全人口数量仍将继续增加的唯一区域。能源成本上涨加剧了严重的技术和政治挑战。资源贫乏的小型土地所有者既无法负担昂贵的投入，也无法确保其有效性，因为土壤退化，气候变化严酷。所以，加速的侵蚀以及由于采摘耕作方式造成的土壤有机质（SOM）和养分消耗都受到不利影响。尽管改良品种不断增长，但单产仍然很低，这是由于土壤严重退化，特别是SOM储量低和土壤结构不良加剧了干旱压力。推荐技术的组成部分包括：免耕；秸秆覆盖和覆盖作物；营养综合管理；生物炭与改良作物（转基因，生物技术）和种植系统以及用于生物燃料生产的能源种植园结合使用。但是，由于一系列生物物理，社会和经济因素，其对低耕（例如免耕农业）的接受程度较低。竞争性地将作物残渣用于其他需求是限制采用免耕农业的众多因素之一。通过支付生态系统服务费用（例如，陆地生态系统中的碳封存）为资源贫乏的农民创造另一种收入流，是促进采用推荐技术的一项重要战略。采用改良的土壤管理方法对于适应不断变化的气候以及满足不断增长的人口对食物，饲料，燃料和织物的需求至关重要。土壤恢复和可持续管理对于实现粮食安全以及全球和平与稳定至关重要。并满足人口增长对食物，饲料，燃料和织物的需求。土壤恢复和可持续管理对于实现粮食安全以及全球和平与稳定至关重要。并满足人口增长对食物，饲料，燃料和织物的需求。土壤恢复和可持续管理对于实现粮食安全以及全球和平与稳定至关重要。