The odds appear stacked against versatile land: can we change them?

ABSTRACTWith increasing pressure on versatile land for development, the odds appear stacked against protecting this diminishing resource. Unlike development, however, certain food provision is limited to versatile land. In deciding where development and preservation of land for food production should occur, it is critical to identify explicit trade-offs. Yet, little research addresses how these decisions, effectively irreversible, affect a food system for society and future generations. This article reviews recent opportunities and advancements that may help inform science-based policies on these matters, as well as suggesting directions for future research. It revisits the need for a national policy statement on protecting versatile land, a conversation dating back to 1996. The land and soil science community have a responsibility to raise awareness on the collective benefit of protecting this resource and progress its protection in national policy. The alternative may see us repeating the same conversat...