322: Biodiversity in soil - why it matters to us all

Just how important is biodiversity in soil, and are we doing enough to protect and promote it? These are the big questions many working in the agricultural sector are asking on a near-daily basis. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Anglo American, we delve into the crucial role biodiversity plays in soil health, and ask what role fertilizers have to play in protecting it. We have made episodes in the past looking at how important biodiversity is within soil, and it can be incredibly complex stuff. The British journalist, author and activist, George Monbiot has previously told this podcast soil is home to as diverse and abundant an ecosystem as a coral reef.  Protecting that biodiversity is as crucial now as it has ever been, but the question is: How can that be done, whilst also maintaining crop yields? Biodiversity plays a big part in our lives. The UN defines it as the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. But why is it so important? Why does it need to be protected? And what impact can fertilizers have? We know fertilizers play a crucial role in growing crops, particularly on a large scale, but how can the use of sustainable fertilizers support biodiversity? Listen to the full episode to learn more about the 4Rs approach to sustainable fertilizer use, find out why simply adding lots of nutrients to soil is rarely the best approach to farming, and discover the farming practices that are setting the standards for the future. POLY4 Fertilizer POLY4 is the trademark name for polyhalite products from Anglo American. It is a naturally-occurring, low-chloride, multi-nutrient fertilizer certified for organic use. It includes four of the six key macro nutrients that all plants need to grow: potassium, sulphur, magnesium and calcium, and a range of valuable micro nutrients. It allows farmers to maximise their crop yield, increase quality and improve soil structure with one simple product. Previous episodes featuring Anglo American How do we stop the rapid erosion of essential soils? Can regenerative agriculture fix our food system? What can be done to ensure that agricultural practices are sustainable?