Soil Loss Threatens Food Prospects...05/22/00
By Alex Kirby - BBC

Scientists say impoverishment of the soil is a major threat to the Earth's ability to feed itself.

They have found that nearly 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degraded.

The damage has already had "a significant impact" on the productivity of about 16% of the planet's farmland.

And its economic and social effects have been much more significant in developing countries than in rich ones.

The scientists, from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), analysed the world's agro-ecosystem using data from satellites, maps and tabular data sets.

Full Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_758000/758899.stm