Depletion of Ukraine’s Soils Threatens Long-Term Global Food Security
Ukraine's soil nutrient depletion poses a threat to global food security due to its impact on crop production.
Beyond the disruption to Ukraine’s food exports, the war is jeopardising the country’s long-term ability to remain the ‘breadbasket of Europe’, because its soils are gradually losing vital crop nutrients.
Researchers from the UK, Ukraine and the Netherlands warn that more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are being removed from soils via harvested crops than added back in, due to reduced access to fertilisers and inefficient farming practices.
Military activity has also exacerbated existing degradation and erosion of soils across Ukraine.
The war is jeopardising the country’s long-term ability to remain the ‘breadbasket of Europe’.
Author's summary: Ukraine's soil depletion affects global food security.