Research and projects

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• Thinking with Soils: Material Politics and Social Theory is a new edited collection published by a number of members of the Soil Care Network.  In it, we present a novel and systematic social theory of soil, and is representative of the rising interest in 'the material' in social sciences. The chapters in this edited volume challenge scholars to attend more carefully to the ways in which they think about soil, both materially and theoretically. Contributors address a range of topics, including new ways of thinking about the politics of caring for soils; the ecological and symbiotic relations between soils; how the productive capacities and contested governance of soils are deployed as matters of political concern; and indigenous ways of knowing and being with soil.

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• The Society for Cultural Anthropology has published this interesting series of essays on Geological Anthropology, which challenge assumptions about the kinds of materials that the geological is assumed to entail, the boundaries between living and inert, the spaces that geological is supposed to inhabit, the forms it might take, and the futures it may shape.

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• Can you really not manage what you can't measure? In this short opinion piece, researchers argue that when it comes to soil health “while quantifying soil health is a useful approach within the research context, for example in terms of quantifying impacts of different approaches/ treatments, and for monitoring changes over time, the quantification of soil health from a policy perspective is not feasible and, more importantly, not required.” Soil health policies should therefore be based on actions, not on outcomes.

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• The unique long-term experiment at Rothamsted yields new fascinating results as researchers consider the relationship between organic and inorganic fertilisers, soil microbes, and soil structure. This new work is starting to show just the extent of changes to soil properties and species when a shift to inorganic fertilisation happens

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• For soil conservation policies to be effective amongst farmers, policymakers must acknowledge the diversity of farmers’ views on soil management, this article argues on the basis of research in Austria.

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• Deep reach of the Anthropocene – this fascinating short article in EOS argues that research conducted at Critical Zone Observatories in the US is showing the depth and longevity of both human and climate-change related disturbances to soils, which are changing the functioning of the critical zone itself. “In many cases, these studies illuminate the powerful role of life in processes historically studied by geologists, as well as how geologic legacies continue to shape responses of the critical zone to human influences today. Discoveries from this work help us understand how ecosystems will function and inform landscape management in the Anthropocene.”

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• The first ever global assessment of soil health paints a worrying picture. “This global survey revealed that around one-third of topsoils found on conventionally-farmed lands would last for less than 200 years, and 16% would be able to grow food for under 100 years. Overall, 90% of topsoils in this category were found to be thinning, which means they’re losing more material to erosion than they’re gaining, and are therefore in a steady decline.” The same research found, however, that farms which use soil conservation measures can hope to protect their topsoils for many thousands of years.

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• Soils in cities perform many important functions, however this is rarely considered in urban planning. This interesting paper showcases how urban soil ecosystem services can be integrated into urban planning.

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• A new tool, Soil Monitor, has also been developed to help map land uses and resist soil sealing. This map—quantifying the landscape integrity of the rural and natural areas—enables to better locate both new green corridors or new urban developments minimizing the environmental impact of human activities.

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• But how do soils themselves come to be felt and to matter in urban life, in making urban places? This article explores such soil agency, materiality, and affect through research in Australian cities.

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• Concrete produces huge amounts of carbon dioxide, as well as using up fine sand deposits. An interesting new solution is being investigated – 3D printing building materials with local soil.

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• Soil microbial diversity is increasingly linked with soils’ carbon storage capacities. At the same time, climate change seems to be negatively affecting soil biomass as soil animals grow smaller

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• This important paper explores the contested relationship between farmers, soil health, and glyphosate, on the basis of long-term anthropological research with Canadian farmers. The author argues that the zero-till+glyphosate logic, and the powerful corporate discourse which legitimises it, continues to tie farmers to an industrialised model of agriculture, blocking the emergence of non-chemical alternatives.

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• In Scotland, a new project is working with farmers on developing a benchmarking framework for mob grazing, a regenerative agriculture approach to grazing with positive soil health impacts

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Soil policy and social movements

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• How do soils fit into the changing landscape of EU policy? This opinion paper addresses the importance of soil health to achieving objectives set within the European Green Deal and identifies the significance of soils in Biodiversity Strategy, Farm to Fork and Climate Law.

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• A new report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Common Ground: Restoring Land Health for Sustainable Agriculture, for the first time quantifies the potential societal benefits and monetary value of a large-scale, global adoption of cost-effective sustainable farming methods that boost soil organic matter and biodiversity. “The data in this report debunks the myth that nature conservation and global food production are a zero-sum game,” said Dr Bruno Oberle, IUCN Director General. “Agriculture has often been portrayed as a threat to biodiversity conservation. Yet conserving living, biodiverse soils and landscapes can boost yields while helping both nature and society. This report clearly identifies common ground and joint aims for farmers and conservationists that can help secure the future of agriculture itself" 

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• The links between soil and carbon trading are growing – in the US “Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both the Senate and the House of the United States Congress to create incentives and remove barriers for farmers and foresters to receive credits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing soil organic matter — carbon.”

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• Meanwhile in Australia, the emerging national policy of public subsidies for carbon sequestration on soils is being criticised; the authors of this blog argue that much more effective measures should take precedence in attempts to curb carbon emissions

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• WWF’s recent report highlights the huge pressures put on land through by the UK’s food consumption, finding that “between 2016 and 2018, over 21 million hectares of land in other countries – that’s equivalent to 88% of the UK’s land area – were required to produce just 7 commodities, including cocoa, palm oil, timber and soy, used and consumed in the UK”. WWF is pressuring the government to take action on this huge impact of UKs consumption.

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Soil essays and long reads

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• A new documentary ‘Kiss the Ground’ is working to put regenerative agriculture and soil conservation in the limelight – read an interview with the movie’s makers here.

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• This well-researched editorial gives a very good overview of the serious problem that microplastics in soils are posing to soil and food sustainability. This recently published research article confirms that microplastics cause huge losses in soil biodiversity, killing off soil fauna.

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• This editorial by George Monbiot again airs the important issue of land access in the UK, and cites important books and reports which have been highlighting land inequalities in the recent years

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Useful and fun soil resources

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• What role can soil sensing play in improving soil management? The GROW citizen science soil observatory reports its encouraging findings.

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• In Australia, a new accessible guide to describing soils has been produced. The 'Simple Guide for Describing Soils' explains the diversity of Western Australia's soils and helps users to describe the most important parts of a soil profile in an easy-to-understand way. It is free to download.

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• BBC’s CrowdScience programme explores the goods and bads of earthworms – listen here.

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