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Soil is the foundation of life on land. Beneath our feet lies an intricate web of life that supports plants, animals, and entire ecosystems. Yet, soil degradation—a silent crisis—continues to erode this foundation, driving biodiversity loss and threatening terrestrial ecosystems.
Degraded soils weaken the ecosystems they support, putting plant and animal species at risk. Biodiversity loss accelerates, creating a vicious cycle of environmental decline. While biodiversity has become a key pillar in many national climate commitments (NDCs), few countries fully recognize the essential role that healthy soils play in meeting these targets—or consider soil restoration as a stand-alone priority.
Restoring degraded soils offers a powerful, nature-based solution. Healthy soils improve carbon storage, reconnect fragmented ecosystems, and create thriving habitats for diverse species. For governments, integrating soil restoration into biodiversity and climate strategies presents an opportunity to meet multiple goals—supporting ecosystem resilience, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening communities.
The link between healthy soils and thriving ecosystems is undeniable. Healthy soils promote belowground biodiversity—microbial communities that sustain plant life—and create diverse habitats for wildlife.
Belowground life: Soil microbes are essential for nutrient cycling and plant health. Increasing soil organic carbon boosts microbial biomass by 40–70%, improving ecosystem stability and resilience (Lal, 2004).
Plant biodiversity: Diverse plant species build resilient ecosystems and provide food and shelter for wildlife. Healthy soils create conditions for higher plant biodiversity compared to degraded land.
Wildlife biodiversity: Restoring grasslands and implementing regenerative agriculture practices on croplands improves habitats for species at risk due to habitat fragmentation. Healthy grasslands support migratory birds, pollinators, and small mammals, increasing species richness and strengthening ecosystem resilience. According to FAO research, regenerative agriculture and improved soil management can increase above-ground biodiversity by 30% compared to conventional practices. These practices help rebuild healthy ecosystems while supporting both wildlife and agricultural productivity.
Soil carbon projects offer governments a unique opportunity to integrate climate and biodiversity solutions. By focusing on soil health, these projects help ministries of the environment deliver on NDC biodiversity goals, align with Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework commitments, and provide access to carbon finance to fund large-scale soil health and biodiversity initiatives.
Soil restoration can be a stand-alone goal in NDCs, with countries framing it under Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) or land use strategies like grassland regeneration and regenerative agriculture. Alternatively, it can directly support broader biodiversity targets, such as those outlined in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. For example, Target 2 (restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030), Target 8 (improving soil and water health to reduce pollution and support biodiversity), and Target 10 (promoting sustainable agriculture that enhances biodiversity).
Government agencies play a critical role in integrating soil restoration into national strategies. By aligning efforts across climate and biodiversity frameworks, they can unlock multiple benefits for ecosystems and communities:
1. Expanding NDCs: Ministries can broaden their NDCs to include commitments to restore degraded lands, improve grassland health, and scale up sustainable land management.
2. Achieving biodiversity targets: Soil restoration can support biodiversity goals by creating healthy habitats for species at risk, reconnecting fragmented ecosystems, and improving overall ecosystem health.
3. Cross-ministerial collaboration: Effective soil restoration requires cooperation between the ministries of environment, agriculture, and water resources. This ensures projects address multiple priorities, from water security to agricultural productivity and ecosystem resilience.
Soil carbon projects (such as grassland restoration and cropland carbon farming) go beyond carbon sequestration, offering significant biodiversity and ecosystem benefits. By connecting landowners and farmers to carbon markets, these projects incentivize sustainable land management while generating resources for long-term ecosystem restoration. For governments, these projects represent a scalable way to improve climate resilience, protect biodiversity, and strengthen agricultural systems.
Improved water retention: Healthy soils with higher organic matter can retain 20–40% more water, helping reduce the impacts of drought and supporting surrounding ecosystems. In grassland areas, this increased water retention boosts plant diversity and benefits wildlife populations.
Enhanced habitat for pollinators and wildlife: Soil carbon projects promote diverse plant species that create food sources and shelter for pollinators, migratory birds, and small mammals. This strengthens local ecosystems and supports species at risk.
Agricultural resilience and crop yield: Regenerative practices on croplands improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and increase productivity. In turn, these healthier soils help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions while improving local biodiversity.
By focusing on grassland regeneration and sustainable practices on croplands, soil carbon projects offer governments a cost-effective tool to meet both climate and biodiversity goals, delivering tangible benefits for ecosystems and communities.
Effective soil carbon projects prioritize biodiversity protection through thoughtful design and ongoing management. Boomitra integrates several strategies to ensure that projects promote positive outcomes for both ecosystems and communities:
Prioritizing native species and local practices: Boomitra’s projects focus on restoring native grasslands and improving cropland health by encouraging regenerative practices that are well-adapted to local ecosystems.
Community engagement and capacity building: Community engagement and capacity building: Boomitra works closely with local communities, farmer groups, and on-the-ground partners to incorporate traditional knowledge and align project goals with local priorities. This engagement builds trust and promotes sustainable practices that last beyond the project’s duration.
Ongoing monitoring and data-driven adjustments: Ongoing monitoring and data-driven adjustments: Using AI and remote sensing technology, Boomitra provides continuous monitoring of project areas to assess progress and identify potential risks. Adaptive management practices are employed to address challenges as they arise, ensuring that biodiversity targets are met while preventing unintended consequences.
Training and education: Boomitra provides training sessions for farmers and landowners on best practices for sustainable land management. This knowledge transfer empowers participants to protect biodiversity while improving soil health and resilience on their own lands.
Cuenca de los Ojos is a 121,000-acre protected area, located directly along the US-Mexico border. Once degraded and overgrazed, Cuneca grasslands now support a thriving ecosystem filled with migratory birds, native mammals, and pollinators.
Efforts at Cuenca de los Ojos have focused on restoring native grass species, improving water retention, and creating healthier habitats for wildlife. The ranch’s restored riparian areas have become critical corridors for species movement, helping reconnect fragmented landscapes and bolster biodiversity in the region.
Cuenca de los Ojos is a partner in Boomitra’s grassland restoration project in Northern Mexico, which spans millions of acres and focuses on improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and building climate resilience.
For a deeper dive into the Cuenca de los Ojos restoration efforts and their biodiversity impact, read the full article here: Building Biodiversity with Cuenca de los Ojos.
Soil restoration is a powerful tool for strengthening ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and improving agricultural resilience. By prioritizing soil health within climate and biodiversity strategies, governments can achieve measurable outcomes—restoring degraded lands, improving water retention, and building long-term climate resilience.
Soil carbon projects are one effective way to scale these efforts. By promoting sustainable practices on grasslands and croplands, they help restore ecosystems while delivering benefits for both nature and communities. With the right policies and partnerships, soil restoration can be a cornerstone of achieving national climate and biodiversity goals.
Want to explore how soil restoration can support your biodiversity and climate targets? Talk to our team to learn more about scalable solutions and practical next steps.
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