An escalating world population will certainly result in increased demand for food, fiber, water, and other natural resources. Only one billion persons are estimated to have lived throughout all history up to the year 1850. Contrast this statistic with an estimated world population of seven billion by the year 2000 and the potential problem becomes more sharply focused. World population is currently doubling about every thirty-five years. Will we realistically be able to feed and clothe this burgeoning mass by the year 2025? By 2050?

As one of earth's most vital and fragile natural resources, soils come under ever increasing pressure. Quite simply, there is less soil per person with each passing day, making increased productivity per unit of land area a requirement. At the same time there are issues of appropriate land uses, sustainability, environmental protection and water rights.

The Soil Conservation Service (recently renamed the Natural Resources Conservation Service) was established in the United States in 1935 following catastrophic wind erosion of the plowed prairie lands of the Great Plains. Protection of arable land from the ravages of accelerated erosion has been its primary goal. Beginning in 1985, Farm Bills passed by the U.S. Congress have contained provisions that require use of erosion control measures by producers who participate in governmental price support programs. For many years farmers and ranchers have been encouraged to make cooperative conservation agreements with the Soil Conservation Service. These agreements entitled them to financial assistance for implementing erosion control practices. In much of the developing world, where population growth has been greatest, organized conservation efforts have been weak and pressure on arable soil resources has been great. This growth has led to a tragic loss of valuable resources partially because resources not well suited for crop production are being used as food requirements increase.

Land use planning, not popular with persons who value individual rights in use of owned property, is becoming more widespread as more demands are placed on soil and water resources. Further, concern that land retain its productivity over time is increasing. "Wearing out the soils" on a farm and moving on to a virgin territory is no longer the option that it was well into the present century.

An additional land use issue which will take on increasing global importance is urban development. Many of the world's large cities developed where they did because of the stable agricultural production from productive soils in the area. As cities expand, formerly productive agricultural land is covered by highways, housing subdivisions, shopping malls, and other commercial developments. Once appropriated for such uses, these lands cannot economically be returned to agricultural production. Responsible land use planning is expected to become increasingly important in the future.

Organic gardening and farming have attracted much attention in recent years. As emphasized, the organic component in soils has essential roles in determining the soil's physical, chemical and biological behavior.

Increasingly, decisions that impact use and management of soil resources arise from discussion of problems such as sustainable use of finite resources, water quality, sedimentation in lakes, food quality, endangered species, preservation of wildlife habitats, and cultural practices. Every citizen, through the right to vote, can influence laws that determine how soil and water resources are used and managed. All citizens share the responsibility for ensuring that all natural resources are treated with respect and wisely used. Some citizens must devote their careers to developing still better technology for management and conservation that will ensure continued utility of these precious resources by our successors on planet earth.

Summary

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