Sustainable water and land use explained
Water and soil are the foundation of life. Yet worldwide they are under increasing pressure becaause of climate change, pollution and intensive use. Sustainable water and land use means managing these resources in ways that keep them available for future generations. What does that involve? Why is it so important? And which solutions help to bring water and soil back into balance with people and nature? Here we explain.
3 questions about sustainable water and land use
What is sustainable water and land use?
Water and soil underpin our living environment, food production and economy. Our food depends on healthy soils to grow, while the quality and availability of water directly affect our crops and our own wellbeing.
Sustainable water and land use means using and managing water, soil and space in such a way that they remain healthy, fertile and functional, now and in the future. This calls for an integrated approach, in which water management, soil management, spatial planning, nature, agriculture and urban development are aligned, taking account of climate and environmental conditions as well as changing societal needs.
A long-term perspective is essential. Sustainable water and land use aims to create resilient landscapes that can withstand climate change, salinisation, land subsidence and other pressures.
Why is sustainable water and land use important?
Our planet has limits – and in a densely populated country like the Netherlands, those limits are felt especially strongly. Without sustainable management of land and water, conflicts quickly arise between competing demands. Agriculture, nature, housing and energy production all need space in the landscape.
Balancing these interests is crucial if we want them to thrive. Without that balance, soils can degrade through drought, erosion, compaction, acidification or excessive nutrient loads. As soil quality declines, so too do water quality and availability. Water itself is under pressure from pollution and shrinking groundwater reserves.
At Wageningen University & Research, we do not look at these challenges in isolation. We recognise how closely water and soil are connected to wider societal issues such as food security, climate adaptation, biodiversity restoration and spatial planning.
What puts pressure on soil and water?
The quality of soil and water is under pressure from several interrelated factors:
- Increasing competition for space due to population growth, agriculture and energy production
- Climate change, leading to drought, flooding and sea-level rise
- Pollution – including chemical contaminants and excess nutrients – threatening water quality and availability
- Soil erosion, deterioration of soil structure and declining fertility
Sustainable water and land use
How do we manage our water and land so that these vital resources remain available for future generations?
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