Download the Soil Atlas of Africa: FAO soil maps

The Soil Atlas of Africa is an invaluable resource for understanding the diversity, significance, and challenges facing soils across the African

The Soil Atlas of Africa is an invaluable resource for understanding the diversity, significance, and challenges facing soils across the African continent. First introduced by EU Commissioner Connie Hedegaard during a joint African Union and European Union Commission meeting in Addis Ababa in 2013, the Soil Atlas of Africa provides essential insights into the continent's soil resources, highlighting their critical role in food security, environmental stability, and economic development.

What Makes the Soil Atlas of Africa Unique?

The Soil Atlas of Africa is a collaborative effort between soil scientists from Europe and Africa, using cutting-edge computer mapping technologies to reveal the vast range of soil types and their distribution across the continent. With detailed maps, informative texts, and stunning visuals, the Atlas explains the origin, function, and types of soils found in Africa. This publication is not just for soil scientists but is designed to raise awareness among policymakers, educators, and the general public about the importance of soil to African ecosystems and economies.

Soil is an often overlooked but non-renewable resource, essential for agriculture, water retention, and carbon storage. The Atlas provides a comprehensive overview of the soil challenges Africa faces, including desertification, soil erosion, and the effects of climate change. It also explores solutions to protect and sustain Africa's soils for future generations.

Key Features of the Soil Atlas

1. Soil Diversity: The Atlas showcases the incredible variety of soils in Africa, including major soil groups such as Arenosols, Leptosols, Cambisols, and Ferralsols. Each soil type is presented with an explanation of its characteristics, formation processes, and its importance to both local and global issues.

2. Threats to Soil Health: The Atlas highlights the major threats to African soils, such as aridity, overgrazing, and deforestation. With over 60% of African soils representing hot, arid, or immature soil types, proper management is crucial to prevent further degradation.

3. Annotated Maps: For the first time, the Atlas presents detailed maps of Africa's soils, illustrating their composition, distribution, and threats. These maps serve as a critical tool for both researchers and policymakers in addressing soil-related challenges.

4. Global Significance: African soils play a critical role in global nutrient cycles and carbon storage. For example, Africa’s soils store approximately 200 Gt of organic carbon, which is 2.5 times more than what is stored in plants. This makes African soils essential to global environmental health.

Availability and Downloads

The Soil Atlas of Africa is available for free download in English and French. The PDF version is divided into three parts due to its size:

• Part 1 (Pages 1-78): Download here (254MB)

• Part 2 (Pages 79-128): Download here (95MB)

• Part 3 (Pages 129-176): Download here (175MB)

• French Version: Download here (348 MB)

Additionally, the physical copy of the book can be ordered through the EU Publications Office for 25 EUR.

The Atlas and Global Initiatives

The Soil Atlas of Africa also supports global efforts like the FAO's Global Soil Partnership and the outcomes of the Rio+20 Summit, promoting sustainable land use and soil conservation strategies. The project emphasizes the urgent need for better soil management to address Africa's growing challenges, from food security to climate change adaptation.

Conclusion: A Critical Resource for Africa's Future

As Africa's population grows, the pressures on land resources will only increase. The Soil Atlas of Africa not only educates about the importance of soil but also serves as a call to action. Soil degradation is linked to numerous societal issues, including famine, civil unrest, and economic challenges. By providing a deeper understanding of soils, the Atlas aims to foster more sustainable management practices, ensuring a healthier and more resilient Africa.

For anyone invested in Africa's future—whether you're a policymaker, researcher, teacher, or concerned citizen—the Soil Atlas of Africa is a must-read resource.