Soil Climate Challenges: Risks, Responses, and Innovations

Soils play a central role in the climate system, regulating processes such as carbon storage, water dynamics, nutrient cycling and ecosystem productivity. However, climate change is increasingly altering soil processes through rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns and more frequent extreme weather events. This is accelerating the degradation of soils, including erosion, the loss of organic matter and reduced fertility. These changes threaten food security, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. However, soils also present significant opportunities for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Improved soil management can enhance carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase resilience to climatic stress. Consequently, research on soil–climate interactions focuses on identifying risks and vulnerabilities, and developing innovative management practices, monitoring tools, and policy-relevant solutions that promote sustainable land use in the context of changing climatic conditions.This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding of soil climate interactions by examining the risks posed by climate change, how soil systems respond to environmental stressors, and the innovations required to enhance resilience and sustainability. The collection brings together interdisciplinary research exploring how climatic drivers influence the physical, chemical and biological processes of soils, and the effect of these changes on ecosystem services, agricultural productivity and land degradation dynamics. This collection highlights evidence-based management strategies, technological advances and nature-based solutions that reduce vulnerability, support climate adaptation and mitigation, and promote soil health in a variety of landscapes. By integrating observational studies, modelling approaches, and policy-relevant analyses, this Research Topic aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application, informing decision-making processes and fostering scalable solutions for resilient soil systems in a changing climate.This Research Topic welcomes original research, reviews, perspectives, and case studies that address soil climate interactions, focusing on risks, responses, and innovative solutions. Submissions may cover a wide range of themes, including soil degradation, carbon cycling, nutrient dynamics, water retention, microbial and biodiversity responses, and soil-based mitigation and adaptation strategies. Contributions exploring sustainable soil management, regenerative agriculture, nature-based solutions, and emerging technologies such as remote sensing, modeling, and precision agriculture are encouraged. Interdisciplinary studies linking soil science with climate science, ecology, socioeconomics, and policy are particularly relevant. Authors should aim to provide insights that are both scientifically rigorous and practically applicable, highlighting scalable solutions and actionable strategies for enhancing soil resilience under climate change. Manuscripts should be original, clearly written, and follow the journal’s submission guidelines. Topic editors: Iteb BOUGHATTAS, Leilei Zhang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77575/soil-climate-challenges-risks-responses-and-innovations