Ever heard of the \"panda of farmland\"? 🐼🌾 It's not an animal, but it's just as rare and precious! We're talking about black soil, one of the world's most fertile soils, essential for growing staples like rice, corn, soybeans, and sorghum.
Black soil is like the superhero of agriculture, thanks to its dark, humus-rich topsoil layer that makes it incredibly fertile. But here's the catch: it's super scarce, covering less than 7% of the world's land. In Asia, particularly in China's northeastern regions—Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning provinces, and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region—this soil accounts for about 12% of the global total.
Why is it called the \"panda of farmland\"? Well, just like pandas, black soil is rare and needs protection. It takes a whopping 200 to 400 years to form just one centimeter of this soil! 🕰️ That's because its creation involves a long process of humus accumulation, decomposition, leaching, and deposition.
This makes black soil a true natural treasure, vital for sustaining grain production in key regions. Protecting and conserving it isn't just about crops—it's about securing our food future. So next time you think of pandas, remember the black soil too! 🌿🌍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
