{
  "id": 668682,
  "title": "Soil biodiversity: The hidden life beneath our feet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/soil-biodiversity-the-hidden-life-beneath-our-feet",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-12T13:04:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mail and Guardian",
    "slug": "mail-and-guardian",
    "url": "https://mg.co.za/the-green-guardian/2026-08-12-soil-biodiversity-the-hidden-life-beneath-our-feet/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "While South Africa's attention is on water shortages and climate change, scientists warn of a critical soil degradation crisis. Over 70% of the country's land is affected, threatening food production, carbon storage, and biodiversity. Protecting and rebuilding healthy soils is crucial for climate adaptation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}