Soils & daily life — quick check

Soils are the foundation for human infrastructure. Soils provide food, raw materials and fibres which are used e.g. for clothing. Soils are the primary source of oxygen production on Earth through photosynthesis. Soils store more carbon than all the plants on Earth combined. Soils holds archaeological treasures and inspires art and spirituality. It is estimated that a single teaspoon of grassland or forest soil contains more microorganisms than there are humans on our planet. Soil microorganisms provide the basis for medicine, e.g. some antibiotics. Soils continuously generate new mineral resources such as metals and fossil fuels within short human timescales. Soils regulate natural cycles of water, air and nutrients.