News Releases

Silent Soil Suffering: the Relentless Power of Soil Degradation in the Caribbean

For Release Upon Receipt - December 4, 2023

St. Augustine


 

 

  [L-R] The Mayor of Arima, His Worship Mayor Balliram Maraj presents the award for the Most Outstanding Faculty Researcher for the Faculty of Food and Agriculture to Professor Mark Wuddivira, Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture at the 2023 Principal’s Research Awards held at The UWI St. Augustine Campus

 St. Augustine, December 4, 2023 - We’re pleased to share the following message from Professor Mark Wuddivira, Professor of Agri-Environmental Soil Physics, the Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture at The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus and a Fellow and President of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences. 

 As the world comes together to commemorate World Soil Day on December 5, 2023, this year's theme, "Healthy Soils, Healthy Food, and Healthy Planet," serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate interconnectivity among our soils, our quality of life and the health of our planet.  These linkages are often unseen and therefore ignored to some extent, limiting the comprehensive and effective management of our soils towards improved human and planetary health. This intricate relationship is evident in the Caribbean as one of the most vulnerable regions of the world to climate change, where the silent suffering of soils, driven by the disruptive effects of soil degradation, echoes the urgent need for sustainable land management practices.

 As the world focuses on the importance of soil health this World Soil Day, it's crucial to recognize the unique challenges and consequences of soil degradation in the Caribbean region.

A thriving Caribbean agriculture is intricately linked to the health of its soils, and is crucial for economic development and food security of the region. Soil degradation jeopardizes agricultural sustainability, leading to diminished crop yields, poor ecosystem health, increased dependence on external inputs, decreased capacity of the soil to sequester carbon and a heightened vulnerability to extreme weather events. The silent suffering of soils in the Caribbean directly translates into tangible hardships for farmers and communities.

Coastal regions, essential for biodiversity and supporting thriving ecosystems, bear the brunt of soil degradation in the Caribbean. Erosion, intensified by climate change, threatens the resilience of coastal areas, eroding precious topsoil and exposing vulnerable habitats. Sea level rise as a result of climate change has increased salt water intrusion further inland salinizing soils, compromising their ability to perform their critical ecological and agricultural functions. The silent suffering of these coastal soils not only endangers local flora and fauna but also undermines the economic activities dependent on the health of these ecosystems, including tourism and fisheries.

The Caribbean is on the frontline of climate change impacts, experiencing rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and an increased frequency of hurricanes. Soil degradation in this context becomes not only a consequence but also a contributor to the climate crisis. Degraded soils release stored carbon, exacerbating global warming and perpetuating a dangerous feedback loop that amplifies the region's vulnerability.

The intricate connection between soil health and biodiversity preservation is a key aspect of this year's World Soil Day theme. The Caribbean's diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests to unique island ecosystems, rely on healthy soils to support a myriad of plant and animal species. Soil degradation threatens this delicate balance, endangering the region's rich biodiversity and the invaluable ecosystem services it provides.

Addressing the silent suffering of soils in the Caribbean requires a multi-faceted approach. Sustainable land management practices, reforestation initiatives, and the promotion of climate-resilient agricultural methods are essential steps. Investing in research to understand the region-specific challenges and fostering community engagement and education will empower local stakeholders to actively participate in soil conservation efforts.

As we reflect on World Soil Day and its theme of "Healthy Soils, Healthy Food, and Healthy Planet," let us not forget the silent suffering of soils in the Caribbean. By acknowledging the relentless power of soil degradation and taking concerted actions to preserve and rejuvenate our soils, we can contribute to building a healthier, more sustainable future for the Caribbean and the planet at large. The health of our soils is intrinsically linked to the health of our food, our communities, and our planet — a realization that must guide our collective efforts toward a more resilient and harmonious coexistence.

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 About The University of the West Indies

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

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