Vol. 10, Special Issue 1, Part L (2026)

Soil is a fundamental but often neglected piece of the sustainability equation across the globe the critical link between food production, water resources and climate regulation. This review synthesizes contemporary research on soil systems through the lens of the sustainability nexus acting through the effects of soil properties and management practices on food security, hydrological and greenhouse gas emissions. Drawing from multi-disciplinary perspectives, we study the inter-connections of problems relating to soil degradation, agricultural productivity, and water availability with climate change mitigation. We note new evidence of the potential benefits of sustainable soil management practices which can help to simultaneously improve food production, water quality and availability, and help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon. Therefore, sustainable soil management is of use in ensuring that food, water and energy are never scarce in the globe particularly at the time when climate change is causing weather to be unpredictable. The most significant component of land- water- food- energy system is soil, and this is the part that links all these regions. It is due to this that the issue of soil degradation is increasingly gaining the attention of policymakers and individuals who operate in such sectors in order to understand its impact on climate control, water availability, and food production. This is because they are in a position to assist in formulating sustainable farming strategies and policies. To achieve this, we must be in control of the rural soils such that we preserve the biodiversity and at the same time ensure that there is sufficient food, water and energy. Furthermore, we address the socio-political dimensions of soil stewardship and the contribution of integrated nexus thinking in the development of (context) specific solutions for achieving the sustainable development goals. This review highlights the importance of putting soil systems at the heart of global sustainability strategies and policy frameworks.