A sweeping new study has revealed a troubling imbalance in global soil research with just 10 countries producing 70% of all scientific work on soil health leaving vast parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America without the data they need to protect their land.
Just 10 Countries Dominate Soil Research
The research, led by the University of São Paulo and published August 9, 2025 in Communications Earth & Environment, analysed nearly 32,000 studies from 1947 to 2024. China, the US, India, Brazil, and Spain topped the list of contributors, while large areas in the Global South despite being rich in biodiversity and highly vulnerable to climate change remain “blind spots” in soil science.
Climate Justice Gap in Soil Science
These neglected regions face mounting threats: deforestation, erosion, nutrient depletion, and rising temperatures. Without detailed local data, experts warn, farmers and policymakers are unable to create tailored soil management strategies.
The problem is especially stark when viewed through the lens of climate justice. Many of these countries have some of the lowest per capita emissions in the world but are bearing the brunt of land-use change emissions caused by forest clearance and agricultural expansion.
Rapid forest loss in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Cambodia is releasing vast amounts of carbon from soils, while in Africa, tropical soils in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon remain poorly studied even as they support rare ecosystems. In Latin America outside Brazil, large sections of the Amazon basin are being degraded with little scientific oversight.
Food Security at Risk
The gaps have direct consequences for food security. Projections show the steepest crop yield declines from climate change are likely in the very regions with the least soil data. Some areas also have abandoned farmland that could be restored to boost food supplies and cut emissions but only with proper soil assessments.
While soil health research has surged in recent years, much of it still focuses on boosting yields through fertilisers and other physical measures, rather than linking soil science to global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, or water scarcity. This disconnect, researchers say, hinders efforts to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Bridging the Gap with Affordable Tools
The study also highlights solutions. Low-cost, farmer-friendly tools such as Brazil’s SOHMA KIT and the Netherlands’ Open Soil Index can help smallholders measure soil health without advanced lab facilities.
International initiatives including the Global Soil Partnership, the Soils4Africa project, and the Living Soils of the Americas programme are working to close the knowledge gap, with new EU funding supporting “living labs” in Africa and Latin America.