Gian Franco Capra

Coastal urban soils (CUS) exhibit distinct physical–chemical properties due to the combined effects of intense interaction among anthropogenic and natural pressures, resulting in a unique, complex and highly vulnerable system. While CUS are vital for the urban coastal environment and its inhabitants, numerous factors significantly threaten their sustainability. The rapid urban expansion and climate change exacerbate these factors, making CUS even more susceptible to degradation. Despite this, most remote sensing syntheses have either addressed urban soils in general or coastal environments without explicitly considering urban soils as a distinct, coastal‐specific component. This review aims to fill this gap by providing an in‐depth analysis of the application of remote sensing technologies for CUS monitoring and management. One hundred fifty‐six studies published between 1982 and 2025 were considered and evaluated based on their spatial distribution, methodological evolution and the main challenges and opportunities in this field. Remote sensing has strong potential for large‐scale, non‐invasive and cost‐effective soil monitoring, enabling the assessment of key soil properties, identification of degradation hotspots and temporal tracking of changes. However, gaps remain, including data processing complexity, the need for ground validation and limitations in spatial/spectral resolution. Despite significant technological advancements, the application of remote sensing to CUS remains relatively underdeveloped compared to other coastal sectors. Harmonized methodologies, improved data integration, and more targeted studies specifically focusing on CUS are further required in the future; research should prioritize standardized protocols, the integration of remote sensing data from multiple sources, and the advancement of machine learning techniques.

The world’s population faces serious challenges related to food security, particularly in the agribusiness sector, as it grapples with dependence on mineral fertilizers in key producing regions, susceptible to tariff policy fluctuations and wars, amid climate change and population growth, despite increased food production enabled by new technologies and management practices. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the main challenges to food security in Brazil, with emphasis on how agricultural production, land use, and mineral fertilizer dependence interact under global climate change. We employed comprehensive literature review methods and analyzed data from national and international agencies to compile relevant information on the influence of this scenario on agricultural production, providing an overview of the topic to understand trends and future projections of these challenges. The results revealed significant vulnerabilities in the sector, especially concerning reliance on imported mineral fertilizers to meet its full demand. In 2024, Brazil imported approximately 90% of the mineral fertilizers used in its agricultural sector, which heightens exposure to geopolitical and market shocks. Moreover, climate change also negatively impacts agriculture, raising production costs and prices of staple foods, thereby exacerbating food insecurity. Therefore, improving fertilizer use efficiency and adopting alternative fertilization sources, combined with conservation practices, represent key strategies to mitigate food insecurity. Among these strategies, reducing import dependence through improved fertilizer use efficiency emerges as the most immediately actionable priority, as it could reduce current demand by 20–30% within 5 years. This should be complemented by medium-term investments in alternative fertilizer sources and long-term climate adaptation measures. These actions can also support the promotion of sustainable development goals aligned with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. Aligning fertilizer strategies with climate-smart and low-carbon agriculture policies could simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the resilience of food systems.

The application of composted sewage sludge (CSS) in crop production offers a sustainable solution for nutrient recycling and reducing reliance on mineral fertilizers. This study evaluated the residual effects of CSS on phosphorus (P) bioavailability and agronomic performance of maize and cover crops in P‐fixing soils of the Brazilian Savannah ( Cerrado ). A field experiment was conducted over three cropping cycles (third, fourth, and fifth season), applying CSS at rates of 0, 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 Mg ha ^{− 1} (wet basis) alongside conventional mineral fertilizer. The results showed that CSS significantly enhanced P uptake and maize ( Zea mays L.) yield, with linear increases in plant height and grain yield (up to 28%) in the third season. Marandu grass ( Urochloa brizantha (A. Rich.) T.Q. Nguyen cv. Marandu) growth responded positively to CSS, while a cover crop mix showed no response. Soil available P increased linearly with CSS rates, though climatic variability influenced outcomes. This work shows CSS demonstrates potential as a sustainable P source, but its efficacy depends on management practices and environmental conditions.