Scientists at Massey University and AgResearch have taken the first steps in placing a financial value on soil.
They have created a framework that links soil's natural capital to all the services it provides, such as food production, absorbing and retaining water and filtering nutrients and contaminants.
AgResearch soil scientist Dr Alec MacKay says the information will give ecological economists, industry and policy makers a better understanding of the natural capital value of soils and the ecosystem services they produce.
Dr MacKay says knowing more precisely a soil's worth will have the potential to increase land values.
