Soil

Home > Knowledge and facts > Environment > Soil

Soil – the basis of life

Soil provides the basis for the production of food and thus the basis of human existence. Fertile soil is a valuable commodity that is taken care of by Swiss farming families. However, our soil is under threat. In Switzerland, one square metre of cultivated land is lost every second as a result of falling victim to construction projects.

Fertile soil does not come about from one day to the next. The soil we find in Switzerland today started its development around 10,000 years ago. It is formed from rocks that have been eroded and weathered. When the first plants that become established decay, they add valuable humus. This contains important nutrients for the growth of plants.

A careful approach promotes the environment

Unlike many fields in which arable crops are grown, meadows and pastures are home to various species. Depending on the location, between 4 and 50 species can be found in a single field. Here, we distinguish between the different grasses, clovers and herbs. Our meadows and pastures contribute to biodiversity and provide a valuable habitat for numerous plant and animals species. We attempt to minimise the environmental impact by cultivating these areas extensively. By refraining from using chemical fertilisers and pesticides, we protect the bodies of water and soil found here. The meadows and pastures also act as natural carbon sinks by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In doing so, they make an active contribution to reducing the greenhouse effect and to climate protection. Incidentally, alpine farming takes place almost exclusively on meadows and pastures.

Image: LID

Food for our animals

Artificial meadows are an important addition that serve to complement natural meadows and pastures. These are areas that we use specifically to produce grass, hay or silage for our cattle. To this end, we sow mixtures of grasses and clovers that remain on the same area of land for at least two years. During this time, the soil builds up humus. This is important in order to ensure that we can use the soil in the long term. This intensive use does not mean, however, that artificial meadows don’t provide a habitat for insects, breeding birds, amphibians and reptiles. It is therefore important that we are particularly careful when mowing. For example, we first comb the meadow in order to save young hares or fawns, mow early in the morning from the inside out and do not mow everything at the same time.

Natural green spaces

Reed meadows are one of the few naturally occurring green spaces found in Western Europe. They are moist, nutrient-rich meadows that are situated close to rivers, lakes or wetlands. Many rare and endangered animals and plants species find a habitat here that they would have difficulty in finding elsewhere. The management of read meadows requires that special attention be paid to ensure that the specific needs of wetlands are met. For example, reed meadow are not fertilised or are only fertilised with manure and are cut no more than twice a year. This allows for reed meadows to be preserved and their function as environmentally valuable habitats to be maintained. The protection and maintenance of these unique ecosystems are of great significance for the preservation of biodiversity and the ecological balance in Switzerland.

This might also interest you

Biodiversity

To receive direct payments, Swiss farming families must promote biodiversity. They are dependent on a high level of biodiversity in order to do their work.

Biodiversity

Production

High-quality products are the most valuable asset of Swiss farming families. They therefore attach great importance to efficient and sustainable production – from the sowing stage right through to the harvesting of the final crop. Switzerland is home to some of the most stringent animal welfare laws worldwide in the area of animal production. We show you how farmers produce your food.

Production