Soil degradation has significant consequences for global food security and ecosystem resilience. It manifests in various forms, including erosion, salinization, acidification, compaction, nutrient depletion, and contamination, all of which result from alterations in soil properties or characteristics. Monitoring degradation processes and evaluating the effects of land management practices are fundamental for stopping, preventing, and mitigating soil degradation, thereby promoting soil health worldwide. In this chapter, we present the main drivers of soil degradation and their implications for soil functionality, discuss environmental monitoring as a key strategy for mitigation, forecasting, and soil governance, and outline current challenges and emerging opportunities in the field. We also highlight the socioenvironmental dimensions of degradation, emphasizing its links to climate resilience, biodiversity loss, and food sovereignty. Finally, a case study from South America illustrates how the assessment of soil degradation provides actionable knowledge for soil health protection and sustainable land stewardship.
