More effort is needed to implement and disseminate soil protection measures for tropical soils

Soils are a finite resource paramount to delivering environmental goods that are inextricably linked to Sustainable Development Goals and vital for human well-being. Yet soils, particularly in tropical zones, are being degraded and thus the soil ecosystem services (SES) they deliver are being impaired. Considering Brazil as a case study, we developed a soil-centric ecosystem services approach that may be used to translate and communicate the importance of soils to a range of stakeholders. We propose a plan of action, focused on a communication strategy, which includes dissemination of soil monetary and non-monetary values, and we outline steps that should be incorporated by a range of stakeholders to ensure that soils are understood as pivotal resources to be protected for current and future generations. We call on the international research community, especially in tropical countries, to seize the opportunity to embrace and disseminate this soil-centric approach and to arrest the continuous over-exploitation of soil resources.