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Soils in NSW

Soil condition and management

Soil condition is an indication of the ability of a soil to perform functions such as:

supporting biodiversity
performing essential ecological processes like nutrient recycling
producing crops, livestock and forest products
maintaining and enhancing the quality of water and air
supporting buildings and infrastructure.

Soil condition is also sometimes referred to as soil health or soil quality.

Soil management can improve or degrade soil condition. Soil properties and the characteristics of the landscape in which the soil developed must be considered whenever land use and land management decisions are made. Otherwise we risk degradation of soil condition through erosion, compaction, structural decline, salinisation, or acidification. Management strategies that protect soil condition include retaining crop stubble, adding organic matter, conservative grazing, minimising cultivation and maintaining protective ground cover.