The article by Rattan Lal discusses the critical issue of soil degradation and its impact on global food security and ecosystem services. Soil degradation, characterized by a decline in soil quality and ecosystem functions, is a major constraint to increasing agricultural production to meet the growing global demand. The author highlights the vulnerability of soil as a non-renewable resource and the complex interactions that lead to its degradation at various spatial and temporal scales. Key processes contributing to soil degradation include accelerated erosion, depletion of soil organic carbon (SOC), loss of biodiversity, soil fertility decline, acidification, and salinization. Lal emphasizes that reversing soil degradation trends requires a strategic approach that minimizes soil erosion, enhances SOC and nitrogen (N) budgets, increases soil biodiversity, and improves structural stability and pore geometry. Site-specific techniques such as conservation agriculture, integrated nutrient management, continuous vegetative cover, and controlled grazing at appropriate stocking rates are recommended to achieve these goals. Increasing the SOC pool to above 10 to 15 g/kg is crucial for setting in motion the restorative trends. The article also addresses the importance of soil quality in providing essential ecosystem services, such as food production, climate moderation, waste disposal, and water filtration. It highlights the negative impacts of soil degradation on economic growth, health, and environmental sustainability. The author underscores the need for public awareness and a fundamental understanding of pedospheric processes to enhance long-term productivity and environmental health. Lal further discusses the role of soil organic carbon in soil quality and its impact on ecosystem services. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining and increasing the SOC pool to reduce soil degradation risks and improve soil fertility. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is proposed as a strategy to ensure sustainable management of the SOC pool and its dynamics. The article also explores the relationship between vegetation cover and SOC pools, noting that excessive reductions in vegetation cover can exacerbate soil degradation and SOC depletion. The author concludes by outlining strategies for soil quality restoration, including minimizing soil erosion, creating positive soil/C budgets, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening water and elemental cycling. He emphasizes the need for a holistic and integrated approach to soil resource management, recognizing the finite nature of soil resources and the importance of sustainable practices to ensure food security and environmental sustainability.The article by Rattan Lal discusses the critical issue of soil degradation and its impact on global food security and ecosystem services. Soil degradation, characterized by a decline in soil quality and ecosystem functions, is a major constraint to increasing agricultural production to meet the growing global demand. The author highlights the vulnerability of soil as a non-renewable resource and the complex interactions that lead to its degradation at various spatial and temporal scales. Key processes contributing to soil degradation include accelerated erosion, depletion of soil organic carbon (SOC), loss of biodiversity, soil fertility decline, acidification, and salinization. Lal emphasizes that reversing soil degradation trends requires a strategic approach that minimizes soil erosion, enhances SOC and nitrogen (N) budgets, increases soil biodiversity, and improves structural stability and pore geometry. Site-specific techniques such as conservation agriculture, integrated nutrient management, continuous vegetative cover, and controlled grazing at appropriate stocking rates are recommended to achieve these goals. Increasing the SOC pool to above 10 to 15 g/kg is crucial for setting in motion the restorative trends. The article also addresses the importance of soil quality in providing essential ecosystem services, such as food production, climate moderation, waste disposal, and water filtration. It highlights the negative impacts of soil degradation on economic growth, health, and environmental sustainability. The author underscores the need for public awareness and a fundamental understanding of pedospheric processes to enhance long-term productivity and environmental health. Lal further discusses the role of soil organic carbon in soil quality and its impact on ecosystem services. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining and increasing the SOC pool to reduce soil degradation risks and improve soil fertility. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is proposed as a strategy to ensure sustainable management of the SOC pool and its dynamics. The article also explores the relationship between vegetation cover and SOC pools, noting that excessive reductions in vegetation cover can exacerbate soil degradation and SOC depletion. The author concludes by outlining strategies for soil quality restoration, including minimizing soil erosion, creating positive soil/C budgets, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening water and elemental cycling. He emphasizes the need for a holistic and integrated approach to soil resource management, recognizing the finite nature of soil resources and the importance of sustainable practices to ensure food security and environmental sustainability.