Scotland’s soils have degraded worryingly, costing the economy an astonishing £125million a year, an eco watchdog has warned. A new report by Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) found the health of our soils is “falling behind” other European countries and harming nature.
And it said the cost of soil degradation, considering factors like lower crop yields, greater flood damage and poorer resistance to droughts, is at least £125million per year – and likely “significantly higher”. ESS is now urging Scottish ministers to introduce new laws to protect the nation’s soils.
Its report highlights how the country’s soil is a non-renewable resource that cannot be replaced. Soil provides habitat for over half of the world’s species and underpins the vast majority of Scotland’s food.
Soil erosion and compaction is caused by activities like construction, use of increasingly heavy farm machinery, livestock and recreational activities. Compacted soils retain less water, increasing flooding and reducing drought resistance.
ESS’ report warned that every 1 per cent rise in flooding as a result of soil degradation could lead to an increase in council flood damage costs of £2.6million per year, in addition to the costs of insurance claims for each damaged property. The research added: “Compaction and erosion rates in Scotland are higher than in EU countries and the United Kingdom.”
Mark Roberts, chief executive of ESS, said: “The Scottish Government, formerly a world leader with the Soils Framework, is now falling behind international best practice with regards to statutory proposals to monitor and protect soils.
“Our report recommends that the Scottish Government bring forward legislative proposals that reflect developments in Europe – such as the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law and proposed Soil Monitoring Law – so that it can meet its commitment to align with EU standards where appropriate.”
Roberts added the watchdog is also calling for study of Scotland’s soils to be ramped up. He added: “A lack of research means that we do not fully understand or know the impacts on several risks to Scotland’s soils.
“Improving the evidence base on soil will improve the effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland. That’s why today we are also recommending the Scottish Government and the wider public sector commission monitoring and research on the risks to Scotland’s soils so we have better data to understand and protect this valuable resource.”
Protecting soils can also help tackle climate change as they absorb carbon. Countries in the EU have legislated to place monitoring and protection of soils on a legal footing – including for vital peatland, a carbon super-absorber which covers 20 per cent of Scotland.
However, legislation to protect Scots soils is too “fragmentary”, according to ESS, and largely aims to protect other environmental areas such as water from poor management of soils, rather than soils directly.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.