Scientific agricultural methods demonstrated that soil productivity could be raised by application of synthetic fertilizers.

Livestock may also provide manure, which can be used to fertilize cultivated soils, which increases soil productivity.

"Southern Europe had little coal, higher malaria rates and lower soil productivity," he said.

Pre-Columbian Amazonians are believed to have used biochar to enhance soil productivity.

Deforestation led to eroded soils that led to decreased soil productivity.

A village became unusable as soil productivity gradually declined and local fish and game were depleted.

Low soil productivity means low growth rates and low average yields of crops.

A further feature of Australia's low soil productivity is that the problem was not perceptible to the first European settlers.

Deforestation is a factor in flooding, decreased soil productivity and general climate change.

The process is used both in commercial crop production and in gardening, and when applied correctly can dramatically improve soil productivity.