The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is celebrating the International Year of Soil 2015 (IYS) with a calendar of events designed to educate the public about the importance of the matter.  The month of November has been named “Soils and Climate” by the group and their November blog post highlights the process of desertification and how to prevent it.

According to November’s project leader, Eric Brevik, one-third of the Earth’s land is at risk of desertification, or the rapid loss of top soil and plant life on previously productive ground.

The overgrazing of animals on rangeland can be a cause of desertification, but good farming and property management practices can prevent it. “China and Africa face some of the most severe challenges,” says Brevik. “China is taking some steps to address desertification with crop cover and with plans to plant trees along the border of the Gobi Desert to help decrease dust storms and desertification.”

SSSA has also produced 2 minute educational videos for each of their 12 topics, as well as providing activity pages for 2015.  In addition, teachers and students K-12 can find more information about soil on their website.

Follow SSSA on Facebook and Twitter @SSSA_Soils.