QUAND LE GEOGRAPHE FAIT DU SOL UNE INTERFACE ESSENTIELLE ENTRE AGRICULTURE DURABLE, SOCIETE ET ENVIRONNEMENT EXEMPLE DE DEUX ETUDES DE CAS TRAITEES EN BASSENORMANDIE (FRANCE)

Abstract

N° ISBN - 978-2-7380-1284-5 ; International audience ; When the geographer takes the soil like an interface between sustainable agriculture, society and environment. Example of two case studies in Basse-Normandie (France).The soil is a vital natural resource as well as water. Recognized like a major interface in the environment, it represents a true ecological system, a wealth of biodiversity, a passive support of the urban and industrial activities. It is also a crucial factor of agricultural and forestry productions. So, the soil is connected with an patrimony whose sustainable management must be essential like a priority so much at the local level, national that international. This position has been also justified by the acceleration and the multiplication of the forms of anthropic degradation of the soils since fifty years. In a current context of climate warming disturbing, in the medium and long term, the natural components and the human practices of the environment, this position is also justified insofar as the soil is considered more and more as a patrimony whose protection will allow us to reinforce the resiliency of the environmental and societal functions of the territories. From two studies carried out in Basse-Normandie, this paper try to show how the geographer can acquire the knowledge on soils to develop original applications. The first one broach the issues of climate change for farming practices. The second one deals with the agri-environmental issues related to consumption of agricultural land by urban sprawl. The aims of this paper is to demonstrate the need for this natural resource to be recognized by decision-making bodies and regional and local economic actors as a vital interface between sustainable agriculture, society and environment.