The last two decades’ developments in soil management and in environmental sustainability research are considered on the basis of published papers and undertaken activities in Estonia. The main tasks of the review were to analyse (1) the actual status of research in soil resources and land use, (2) the last developments in soil management technology, and (3) the role of soils in forming environmental status. The holistic approach to soil conservation, or the unity of land use and soil protection, is propagated. The functioning of natural plant cover and cultivated crops in accordance with local pedo-ecological conditions is the main prerequisite for attaining sustainability in the environmental status. In Estonia, the research on conservation agriculture and a gradual introduction of its elements into soil management practice deserves much more attention. It is conceivable not to afforest soils suitable for agriculture, but to use them rather as grasslands or for growing energy crops.

Keywords: conservation agriculture, environment sustainability, land use, soil management