The Hidden Foundation of a Healthy Watershed
When we think about nature in the Credit River Watershed, rivers, wetlands and forests often take centre stage. But beneath them all is something just as important: soil.
From April 20 to 26, National Soil Conservation Week shines a spotlight on the vital role soil plays in sustaining healthy communities and ecosystems.
Healthy soil supports clean water, biodiversity, climate resilience and sustainable landscapes. It’s living, dynamic and essential to watershed health.
Here are five science-backed reasons why soil truly rocks:
1. Soil Protects Water Quality
Healthy soil acts as a natural filter. As rain and snowmelt move across the landscape, healthy soil covered in plants absorbs water and traps pollutants before they reach streams and rivers.
When soils are compacted or degraded, water from rain or snow flows over the land surface into streams, rivers, and lakes, rather than soaking into the soil. This runoff moves quickly across the surface carrying with it, sediment, nutrients and contaminants into local waterways.
Our monitoring consistently shows that land cover and soil health influence water quality trends. Areas with growing plants help bind soil particles together to reduce erosion and improve stream health.
2. Soil Increases Water Infiltration and Supports Groundwater Recharge
Healthy soil functions like a sponge. In healthy landscapes, rainfall and snowmelt infiltrates into the ground instead. This infiltration helps:
- Recharge groundwater supplies, important in rural areas that that feed drinking water wells
- Maintain a steady flow of water in streams during dry periods
- Reduce downstream flood risk
Permeable landscapes, like natural areas, well-managed farmland and green infrastructure, play a critical role in managing spring runoff and rainfall across the watershed. Protecting, restoring and maintaining these landscapes strengthens community resilience to extreme weather.
3. Soil Supports Biodiversity Above and Below Ground
Did you know that soil is alive? A single teaspoon of healthy soil can contain billions of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi that cycle nutrients and support plant growth.
Healthy soils help plants thrive and keep important nutrients in place, preventing them from being washed away in runoff. In turn, plants hold soils in place, stabilize streambanks, and provide habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife.
Soil organisms also play an important role by:
- Breaking down organic matter, such as woody debris and leaf litter
- Cycling plant-available forms of nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen and sulfur into the soil.
- Improving soil structure, which supports healthy plant growth.
Planting native trees and shrubs and grasses and wildflowers are restoration actions that help rebuild communities of soil organisms.
4. Soil Stores Carbon and Supports Climate Resilience
Soils are one of the largest carbon storage systems on Earth. When soils remain undisturbed and covered with plants, they pull carbon dioxide out of the air. Keeping carbon in the ground means less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which slows climate change, while making farms and ecosystems more resilient to its impact.
Land management practices that protect soil structure, such as maintaining natural cover and reducing erosion on farmland through regenerative practices, contribute to climate resilience at a watershed scale. Healthy soils also help landscapes recover from heavy rainfall and drought by improving water retention and stability.
5. Soil Connects Land Use to Watershed Health
Soil sits at the centre of land use decisions. Construction, agriculture, urban development and vegetation removal all influence the health of the soil.
When soil is left bare or compacted, erosion increases and sediments can enter waterways. This affects aquatic habitat and infrastructure. Through monitoring, science-based planning and stewardship initiatives, we work with partners and communities to reduce impacts and protect long-term soil health.
From the Ground Up
Healthy soil supports clean water, thriving ecosystems and resilient communities. Across forests, grasslands, wetlands and agricultural lands, soils help regulate the water cycle by absorbing, storing and slowly releasing water and nutrients. In doing so, they connect forests to rivers, wetlands to groundwater and people to the landscapes around them.
As April is Earth Month, consider what’s happening beneath your feet and how small actions can make a difference:
- Plant native trees and shrubs
- Leave leaves in garden beds to build organic matter
- Use regenerative agricultural practices that protect and enhance soil
- Reduce unnecessary soil disturbance
Because when soil thrives, everything above it does too.
Healthy soil starts with you. Discover simple steps to protect, restore and enhance the soil on your property.
By Kimberley Laird, Associate, Marketing and Communications