The challenge of sustaining soils: Natural and social ramifications of biomass production in a changing world

English summary: Soils perform a variety of functions. Soils are the basis of food and other biomass products; they provide crucial resources; and they store, filter, and transform materials (such as water) that are vital for life. Soils are a physical and cultural environment for humankind, a natural habitat, and they sustain the largest gene pool in the biosphere. Pressures on soils are increasing dramatically. Soils need to become central to global change discussions in order to advise p...