<![CDATA[Land degradation poses a growing global environmental concern that threatens soil productivity, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Biochar is generated by thermochemically processing biomass in an oxygen-restricted environment and is a viable nature-based solution for soil degradation and sustainable land management. This review synthesizes recent knowledge on the qualities of biomass-derived biochar, mechanisms for improving soil properties, and its application in different degraded lands, including mine-degraded lands, peatlands, saline and sodic soils, drylands, and eroded agricultural lands. Biochar enhances soil quality and contributes to restoring ecosystems through improved soil aggregation, water and nutrient storage, enhanced cation exchange capacity, soil pH and microbial functioning, and by reducing soil acidity and bioavailability of toxic substances. Furthermore, the use of agricultural and forest residues as feedstock for biochar production helps maintain carbon in the soil over extended periods, reduces greenhouse gases, improves water quality, and supports a circular bioeconomy. However, biochar performance is influenced by several factors, including feedstock characteristics and pyrolysis conditions, soil properties, and environmental considerations. Economic feasibility, quality standardization, and governmental support remain major concerns. The review emphasizes the various functions of biochar in the reclamation of degraded lands and indicates the future research needs to foster sustainable land management and climate change mitigation.]]>
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