In Danger..?

The ground where we stand facing the greatest threat in the history of the earth just as we rely heavily on its vital role to support life. Much larger than ever before. An expert from the University of Sheffield, UK, warned of the danger in the journal Nature.

Steve Banwart, scientists from the Kroto Research Institute at the university, trying to overcome the challenge as part of an international research program, called the Critical Zone Observatory (CZO), financed by the USA National Science Foundation and the European Commission.

In various regions of the world, the loss of soil due to erosion far exceeds the ability of natural soil formation. The intensity of human activities also have an impact on the ability of the land in producing food, storing carbon from the atmosphere, filtering out contamination of the water flow, and maintaining biodiversity is needed.

Intensification of food to meet increased food demand caused tremendous pressures on land in the next few decades. Climate change adds to great pressure.

Land is at the heart of "critical zone" of the earth, layers of planetary life support, began the top of the tree canopy to the bottom of the drinking water aquifer which is needed humanity. CZO formed to draw together experts from various disciplines around the world to solve this problem.

There are more than 30 CZO in various countries. One goal of this international institution is the development of mathematical models to predict how the land and its function changed when humans intensify land use. Scientists want to create a proactive design solutions, for example to increase yields without compromising the other role of lands.

Assuming food needs in 2050 will rise manifold, modeling it should soon be operational. "The challenge is very clear," Banwart said. "We need an accurate prediction methods to calculate the quantity of land and natural resource use is best to know the options in the maintenance or development." Banwart said that the method can also be used to determine how land degradation can be restored. "We need all of that within a decade," he said .*** [SCIENCEDAILY | TJANDRA | KORAN TEMPO 3560]