Soil function and "malfunction"

Abstract

Most of the scientists define soil from an “agronomic” point of view as the natural system delegated to sustain plant growth and agricultural productions on the whole. In this paper soil importance, even in “environmental and social” terms, is pointed out, considering soil as a natural body with its own functional characteristics, regardless of its agronomic role and productive ability. Some studies show that soil acts as a thermal buffer and detoxifies the circulating liquid phase. Actually soil is also the depository of the cultural heritage of the society who used it, both as keeper of relics and manufactured products and as an expression of transformation processes and evolution trend caused by man’s action itself. The need to protect and preserve soil has to be emphasized by stating its main importance not only as a maintenance source for all the living beings but also as a factor of environmental control.