Soils have the capacity to contribute to human wellbeing through a variety of pathways. Preserving these contributions in light of human and climate-induced changes requires consideration of the numerous benefits – both in research and policy-making. Previous research has demonstrated how the benefits can be recognized through valuation, but a comprehensive understanding of how different types of valuation of soil-mediated contributions to people (SmCPs) are incorporated across various contexts is missing. Under the framework of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the current study undertook a systematic review of the literature to identify knowledge gaps and future research agendas in understanding the value of SmCPs to people. 

The authors analyze the frequency of methods, data and actors included in the studies as well as the consideration of drivers and quality of life categories linked to the valuation of SmCPs. Although the majority of studies were solely concerned with either monetary or non-monetary valuation approaches, several studies acknowledged the limitations of pure economic valuation and attempted an integrated valuation of both non-monetary and monetary approaches. Despite these efforts, there is further potential for fully integrating both monetary and non-monetary valuation methods to encompass a more comprehensive valuation approach through interdisciplinary approaches.

Policy Highlights in the article:
● Soils provide important contributions to human wellbeing that have so far been given too little consideration in policymaking 

● The value of soil mediated contributions to people is manifold and clearly calls for an interdisciplinary perspective to understand and to acknowledge the complexity of soil ecosystems 

● The contributions can be valued with both monetary and nonmonetary methods, and integrative approaches that incorporate both types of methods and better take the diversity of values into account

● Recognizing the values of soils by taking an interdisciplinary and integrated perspective that capture the value of the full range of contributions and the associated tradeoffs with changes in soil management improves policy outcomes

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