Identification and Validation of Soil Security Assessment Indicators

The recently introduced concept of soil security stems from deep scientific concern about global soil degradation and its impact on sustainable development. Although land degradation is a physical process, its main drivers are rooted in the socio-economic and political environment. Soil security by integrating five dimensions, including soil condition and capabilities, soil biophysical aspects, as well as capital, covers the relationship and legislation of socio-economic and political factors affecting soil. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify and validate soil security indicators with fuzzy Delphi technique.

The current research is applied in terms of its purpose and it is qualitative research in terms of the type of research. Also, the current research is a descriptive (non-laboratory) type of researches that was conducted with a survey method. The information needed for this research was mainly obtained through survey and library methods, and in this regard, secondary data such as scientific and gray documents and several reports of government documents that describe the studied area were used. The information required for this research has been collected according to the objectives determined by the questionnaire. In total, 30 experts in relevant departments and institutions were used to complete the study.

The results of the study showed that from soil capability aspect soil erosion rate index and in terms of soil organic carbon index have the most validity in measuring soil security. In relation to soil security, the index of cultural values has a high priority to measure soil security. Also, in this dimension, indicators of active soil science graduates, soil management skills and access to statistics and information were removed. In terms of soil capital, the index of total production is a highly reliable index for measuring soil security. In this dimension, three indicators of wet or dry agricultural land, trading value of land and benefit from irrigation water were removed. In the dimension of soil security legislation, the index of soil protection projects is mentioned as the most valid indicator for measuring soil security.

This study is the first attempt to collect indicators of five dimensions of soil security to evaluate soil security in Iran. Identification of soil security assessment indicators has led to obtaining a list of important indicators approved by the country's soil experts, which can be made available to other researchers in the future to assess the soil security situation in different parts of the country. According to the study process, a total of 38 indicators were identified and validated for each dimension of soil security. Finally, eight indicators were removed from this total in the study process.