The Critical Zone (CZ) is the uppermost layer of continents that provides the terrestrial resources and services required to sustain functioning natural environments and human communities. The CZ science community increasingly recognises that future evolution of the CZ will significantly depend on transformations occurring now in the socio-economic sphere. Exploring possible future long-term evolution of the CZ thus requires understanding the socio-economic drivers that determine the pressures exerted on natural resources and services. This understanding enables the development of holistic integrated models that can help design policies to improve CZ sustainability.

This session aims to coalesce scientists from the natural, social and economic sciences to discuss the effects of socio-economic factors on CZ function, past, present and future. Contributions can focus on soil, surface and groundwater resources and terrestrial ecosystems management, provided they consider the linkages between those components of the CZ and society, as well as the long term.