Soils are essential for life on Earth but are threatened by multiple forms of degradation. Nutrient imbalance has been identified as one of the top ten threats to soil health worldwide, with negative environmental, social and economic effects. Humans, like plants and animals, need sufficient food to survive and 95% of the food we eat comes directly or indirectly from our soils. Hence food has to be safe and nutritious, so as to provide energy and basic nutrients and to prevent disease and the intake of harmful toxic substances.