suppression or elimination of soil biota through deliberate or indiscriminate actions; reductions in soil pore space by soil structural modifications due to compaction or other stresses imposed on the soil; and soil sealing (land take) by infrastructure and housing development. Soil degradation is frequently confused with land degradation that concerns a more holistic phenomenon related to the loss of productivity of ecosystems, biodiversity, water quality etc., which may include or not soil degradation