ILLUSTRATION: IAN CUNLIFFE PHOTO: PAULA FERNLEY
The Dust Bowl of 1930s America is the best-known example of a catastrophic collapse of soil structure. The soil simply blew away as dust, leaving nothing but barren land. This should have been a wake-up call, but still most of us do not know how soil structure is formed, or how to protect it.
Like all good ecosystems, healthy soil is self-sustaining. It is well aerated and moist. It can regulate water, protecting us from droughts and flooding, and holds its form well against erosion. The soil ecosystem creates the perfect environment for our plants to grow and thrive. All we must do is let it.