Soil Health Assessment and Management Framework for Water-Limited Environments: Examples from the Great Plains of the USA

Healthy soils provide the foundation for sustainable agriculture. However, soil health degradation has been a significant challenge agricultural sustainability and environmental quality in water-limited environments, such as arid semi-arid regions. Soils these regions is often characterized by low organic matter (SOM), poor fertility, overall productivity, thus limiting ability to build SOM. Soil assessment frameworks developed more productive, humid, temperate environments typically emphasize building SOM key have identified best management practices that are difficult implement with water limitations. This study reviewed existing assess their potential relevance highlights need develop framework links ecosystem functions dry climates. It also discusses strategies improving health, including tillage residue management, amendments, cropping system diversification intensification. The of indicators sensitive could valuable information designing responses generally greater when multiple complementary integrated, leading resilience agriculture environments.