Current overview and potential applications of the soil ecosystem services approach in Brazil

Human pressure on ecosystems has undesirable impacts on human well-being. After the Millennium  Project, much interdisciplinary research has been developed worldwide aiming to understand these impacts on  ecosystem flows and processes, and to learn about the costs and the benefits of ecosystem services for production.  Soil provides many ecosystem services, since its multi-functionality is the basis for food production, water filtration,  nutrient cycling, and other goods essential to life. This article presents the main concepts and classifications of soil  ecosystem services and of its functions; the indicators and the methods for assessment, modeling, and valuation of  ecosystem services; some recent applications to assess and evaluate impacts of agricultural management practices  on soil ecosystem services; as well as challenges and opportunities for research and for development of public  policies related to agro-environmental sustainability in Brazil. Although the role of soil in supplying ecosystem  services is yet undervalued, scientists are gradually recognizing soil processes and functions as fundamental to  assess ecosystem services and the effects of land use and management on them. Interdisciplinary approaches to  integrate science and public policies are necessary to build governance based on ecosystem services.