There could scarcely be a more important discipline than soil science.
It is no exaggeration to say that the future of humanity depends on it. Yet it has long been a Cinderella subject, overlooked and underfunded.
It can take more than 500 years for 1 cm of soil to form
It can take more than 500 years for 1 cm of soil to form
It can take more than 500 years for 1 cm of soil to form
The Scientific Challenge
Soil science is extremely difficult.
Soil is literally dark. It is a biological structure, built by the organisms that inhabit it, whose properties arise from the interaction of lifeforms, materials and environmental conditions, all of which vary greatly from place to place. It is hard to investigate without damaging its structure, yet its structure is essential to understanding the way this remarkable ecosystem works.
There is no single solution to these constraints. But we hope and believe that seismology, used in conjunction with other techniques developed by soil scientists and a range of new technologies, will swiftly augment our knowledge and understanding, bypassing some of the obstacles researchers have encountered.
We hope that, with an enhanced knowledge of soils and how they work, soil science will be better able to inform a new, Earth-friendly agriculture, which can feed the world without devouring the planet.
The Scientific Challenge
Soil science is extremely difficult.
Soil is literally dark. It is a biological structure, built by the organisms that inhabit it, whose properties arise from the interaction of lifeforms, materials and environmental conditions, all of which vary greatly from place to place. It is hard to investigate without damaging its structure, yet its structure is essential to understanding the way this remarkable ecosystem works.
There is no single solution to these constraints. But we hope and believe that seismology, used in conjunction with other techniques developed by soil scientists and a range of new technologies, will swiftly augment our knowledge and understanding, bypassing some of the obstacles researchers have encountered.
We hope that, with an enhanced knowledge of soils and how they work, soil science will be better able to inform a new, Earth-friendly agriculture, which can feed the world without devouring the planet.
Healthy soil is key to feeding 9 billion people by 2050
Healthy soil is key to feeding 9 billion people by 2050
Healthy soil is key to feeding 9 billion people by 2050
SOIL contains more than half of all the Earth’s species
SOIL contains more than half of all the Earth’s species
Soil is the fragile cushion between rock and air on which our civilisations are built. Despite supplying 99% of our calories, it's the least known major ecosystem.
Soil is the fragile cushion between rock and air on which our civilisations are built. Despite supplying 99% of our calories, it's the least known major ecosystem.
Soil is the fragile cushion between rock and air on which our civilisations are built. Despite supplying 99% of our calories, it's the least known major ecosystem.
The Future
is underground
© John Crawford, Andy Neal and Sacha Mooney.
A handful of soil can contain more bacteria than there are people on Earth
A handful of soil can contain more bacteria than there are people on Earth
A handful of soil can contain more bacteria than there are people on Earth
SOIL STRUCTURE
SOIL STRUCTURE
The intricate soil structure, moulded by microbes, plays a pivotal role in supporting life.
The intricate soil structure, moulded by microbes, plays a pivotal role in supporting life.
Microaggregates, formed through the collaboration of microbes, house a remarkable remarkable diversity and abundance of life: on some estimates, they harbour more than half of all the Earth’s species.
Thanks to their remarkably dense network of pores, many soils harbour a greater weight of living creatures than exists aboveground.
SOIL STRUCTURE
The intricate soil structure, moulded by microbes, plays a pivotal role in supporting life.
Microaggregates, formed through the collaboration of microbes, house a remarkable remarkable diversity and abundance of life: on some estimates, they harbour more than half of all the Earth’s species.
Thanks to their remarkably dense network of pores, many soils harbour a greater weight of living creatures than exists aboveground.
© Karl Ritz
© Karl Ritz
© Karl Ritz
© Frank Ashwood
© Andy Murray
© Andy Murray
© Andy Murray
The Crucial Role of Soil Structure
The Crucial Role of Soil Structure
Over time, microbes create an ever more complex soil architecture.
Long strands of fungal hyphae form larger clusters, creating an intricate network of pores and passages that enable the essential movement of water, oxygen, and nutrients. This network constitutes 50% of an average, healthy soil.
The self-organised, adaptive structure, crafted by living creatures, explains soil's astonishing resilience in facing droughts and floods, surviving crises that would otherwise reduce it to amorphous powder. However, this very structure sheds light on the challenges of farming. The application of nitrogen fertiliser prompts microbes to burn through the soil's carbon. Without this essential "glue," pores cave in, passages collapse, and the soil becomes sodden, compacted, and airless. This structural breakdown accelerates erosion and diminishes crop yields.
The Crucial Role of Soil Structure
Over time, microbes create an ever more complex soil architecture.
Long strands of fungal hyphae form larger clusters, creating an intricate network of pores and passages that enable the essential movement of water, oxygen, and nutrients. This network constitutes 50% of an average, healthy soil.
The self-organised, adaptive structure, crafted by living creatures, explains soil's astonishing resilience in facing droughts and floods, surviving crises that would otherwise reduce it to amorphous powder. However, this very structure sheds light on the challenges of farming. The application of nitrogen fertiliser prompts microbes to burn through the soil's carbon. Without this essential "glue," pores cave in, passages collapse, and the soil becomes sodden, compacted, and airless. This structural breakdown accelerates erosion and diminishes crop yields.
Accumulating sufficient (micro)nutrients to make a soil fertile can take 3,000 years
Accumulating sufficient (micro)nutrients to make a soil fertile can take 3,000 years
Accumulating sufficient (micro)nutrients to make a soil fertile can take 3,000 years
Soil acts as a natural filter for water, removing impurities and contaminants.
Soil acts as a natural filter for water, removing impurities and contaminants.
USING SEISMOLOGY
USING SEISMOLOGY
It’s essential that we develop cheap, easy and scalable methods for monitoring soil health.
We strongly believe that seismology, used in conjunction with other techniques and a range of new technologies, will swiftly augment our knowledge and understanding, bypassing some of the obstacles researchers have encountered.
We hope that, with an enhanced knowledge of soils and how they work, soil science will be better able to inform a new, Earth-friendly agriculture, which can feed the world without devouring the planet.
USING SEISMOLOGY
It’s essential that we develop cheap, easy and scalable methods for monitoring soil health.
We strongly believe that seismology, used in conjunction with other techniques and a range of new technologies, will swiftly augment our knowledge and understanding, bypassing some of the obstacles researchers have encountered.
We hope that, with an enhanced knowledge of soils and how they work, soil science will be better able to inform a new, Earth-friendly agriculture, which can feed the world without devouring the planet.
