Desertification in the Bay of Plenty

There is archeological evidence and commonsense evidence that tells us that the fall of civilisations is linked to soil fertility.

Is not one of the fundamental questions of society, "what value do you place on food?"

Tell me if I'm wrong on this but I have an inkling quite a few of us would put it close to the top of the list? It does appear that most of us quite like to eat on a fairly regular basis.

If that were so then it would seem to be a no brainer that preserving and enhancing soil quality would be a primary driver in agriculture?

Soil humus, (related to organic matter, yes carbon) is the basis of structure , moisture holding capacity, and nutrient availability. Ploughing destroys humus, - soil carbon is lost.

This paddock is in year 5 or so of repeated maize cropping. Not too many left I would say. Soil structure gone, dried out, tonnes of soil have blown off this paddock today, lots of it will be in the ever shallowing harbour do you think?

The fundamental flaw to my argument being that most farmers, agronomists, scientists, and consumers if truth be told, don't make the connection between soil fertility and soil organic matter. Strange as it seems to some of us, but conventional thinking recognises the presence of nutrient to fertility (simplified argument for those who I have offended - sorry) .

A desert in the Bay of Plenty