Improving Soil Health

Soil is a dynamic and complex material that occurs in nature, on a landscape, within a climate, affected by its physical, biological, social and social/economic setting in which many physical, chemical and biological processes interact. Soil quality is about ‘fitness for use or purpose’ and the concept has developed alongside increased recognition of the importance of the soil in delivering many of the unseen environmental goods and services on which society, in part, depends. The term soil health is preferred by some as it explicitly recognises that soil is a vital living system, which contains biological elements that are key to ecosystem function within land-use boundaries.

With farmers and gardeners, soil health is a good starting point for a conversation – are you happy with your soil health? - and can lead on to a discussion about the interaction between inherent properties (e.g. texture) and outcomes (e.g. droughtiness) together with the impacts of particular managements (use of compost, timing of cultivation). Talking about healthy soil can lead to better quality management. However, in the context of land management, there are some key questions that should be addressed to support the development of tools that can improve soil health. This conference provides the opportunity for scientists and land managers to come to together to discuss these issues:

•  What are the characteristics of a healthy soil?

•  Which measures of soil characteristics link to essential soil functions?

•  Which measures indicate that soils have the capacity to maintain a good level of function despite challenges arising e.g. from human use or climate change?

•  How can we best communicate information about soils to support decision making by land managers?