FAO Soils Portal - Harmonized World Soil Database v 1.2

It is difficult to rate the importance of the different soil functions, since all are vital to our well-being, to some extent. However,  the function of supporting food and agriculture worldwide is fundamental for the preservation and advancement of human life on this planet.

Soil is also the basis for plant growth and contributes to the maintenance of natural and planted vegetation, including our diverse forests and grasslands and the huge breadth of crop species and varieties (annuals, perennial shrubs and trees) that are cultivated or managed for their diverse food fibre, fodder,  fuel and medicinal products in relation to the prevailing climate, landscape  and soil type and according to societal needs.