DumoLab's new article "Ecological Tensions in Soil: Healthier Biopolymeric Solutions in Urban and Agricultural Land" concludes our guest-edited *Special Issue* for MDPI's Applied Sciences Journal on "Emerging Biomaterials and Bio-Composites Across Disciplines: Design, Characterization and Applications" within Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering.
This review article discusses soil degradation driven by intensive land use, pollution, construction, and climate change as it threatens ecosystem stability and food security. It examines biopolymeric materials derived from natural sources as regenerative alternatives for improving soil structure, water retention, nutrient delivery, erosion control, and pollutant immobilization. Recent advances include stimuli-responsive hydrogels, controlled-release fertilizer matrices, biodegradable agricultural films, and bio-based and bio-receptive construction materials that support soil permeability, microbial diversity, and circular material flows while reducing microplastic accumulation. We highlight the need for context-specific formulations, long-term validation, and life-cycle assessment to ensure environmental safety and scalability, positioning biopolymeric systems as tools for restoring soil health and fostering resilient urban–rural ecosystems.
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