Every ecosystem on the planet is affected by human activity, and that includes a new type of soil called anthroposols. A scientist with the Saskatchewan Research Council, Michael Bendzsak, explains that anthroposols come from changes to natural soils in commercial and residential areas and from more severe disturbances like mine tailings and landfills.

Some soil scientists believe the earth has moved into a new geological phase, because of the effects of human activity called the Anthropocene. Bendzsak’s research is around forest renewal and long-term indicators of soil productivity and fertility. He found that in the short and middle term, up to about 20 years, anthroposols are able to sustain nutrients in the boreal forest, but it’s not known beyond that what the effects would be.

He urges monitoring as a society what we are doing and looking at the effects.
Bendzsak notes that good baseline data is needed so we can measure those effects and ensure our actions are sustainable.