Soil is a vital resource for humans, providing a range of benefits that are essential for our well-being and survival. Here are some of the ways in which soil is valuable to humans:

• Food production: Soil is the primary source of nutrients for plants, which in turn provide food for humans and animals. Healthy soil is essential for growing crops and maintaining agricultural productivity.

• Water supply: Soil plays a critical role in maintaining water quality and providing an adequate water supply. It helps to catch and distribute rainwater, and acts as a filter to prevent pollutants from entering groundwater.

• Biodiversity: Soil supports a diverse range of plant and animal life, both above and below ground. It is home to a vast number of micro-organisms and insects that help to maintain soil quality and provide nutrients.

• Infrastructure: Soil provides the foundation and base materials for buildings, roads, and other built infrastructure.

• History: Soil holds the key to Earths history, containing and preserving artifacts of the planets past, both its natural and its human/cultural antecedents. It is responsible for preserving dinosaur fossils and other relics that tell us how our own human story evolved.

• Climate change: Soil and how we use it play an important role in helping us to address climate change. Soil organic matter is one of our major pools of carbon, and healthy soil can help to sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

• Human health: Soil is essential for human health, providing the nutrients and minerals that we need to survive. Nitrate, which is found in soil, is an essential nutrient for human health. Soil also plays a role in regulating water and air quality, and can help to prevent flooding and erosion.

In summary, soil is a critical resource for humans, providing a range of benefits that are essential for our survival and well-being. From food production to infrastructure, history, and climate change, soil plays a vital role in our lives and in the health of our planet.