 Agricultural soil degradation is causing unprecedented rates of soil degradation, both directly through climate change and indirectly through intensified farming practices. This has led to a decrease in plant productivity and increased susceptibility to crop failure. Understanding how climate change and soil degradation affect plant physiology is essential for developing effective mitigation strategies. Proline, an amino acid, has been identified as a key player in plant cellular responses to environmental stressors, including soil degradation. It has been found to have a protective role against oxidative damage and can act as an osmoprotectant and redox buffer. Increased proline levels have been correlated with enhanced plant tolerance to abiotic stressors, making it a useful tool for assessing plant resilience. However, recent research suggests that proline may not always indicate improved resilience to stress. Instead, it may be indicative of a plant sensitivity to stress. Endogenous proline levels are strongly affected by soil degradation factors, suggesting that proline quantification should be supplemented with other biochemical and physiological endpoints too. This article was authored by Sophia Sporman, Pedro Nanayes, Philippa Souza, and others.