Climate Change and Soil Health: A Systematic Review of Impacts and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Climate change affects the quality, character and overall structure of the soil, which is a key factor to most ecosystems around the world. This study intends to systematically review the impacts of climate-change on soil-health. The analysis focuses on its implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2, SDG 6, SDG 13, and SDG15. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines; 41 peer-reviewed articles were selected published between 2000-2024 from databases (Science-Direct, Springer, SAGE Publications, and Wiley Online-Library). This review found that droughts have reduced soil moisture by 25-35%. Decomposition processes have accelerated the loss of soil organic matter by 30-50%. Additionally, microbial biomass and diversity have declined by 20-45%. These changes affect nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration reduction up to 40% and crop productivity declined for 10-25% which affects Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 6, 13 and 15. Technologically improved land management practices (conservation tillage, intensive fallows, and cover crops) increase the productivity of soil by up to 30%, while simultaneously increasing soil carbon sequestration by 15-20%, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by between 10-18%. There is uncertainty in modeling soil-climate connectivity, the effects of climatic shocks like intense rainfall which may lead to 60% enhancement of soil erosion, requiring further refinement. The findings emphasize the importance of integrated soil-conservation strategies; to enhance ecosystem-resilience, and mitigate climate-impacts, and stresses to support sustainable-development.