New book measures the inportance of soil health
Ways to improve and measure the importance of soil health are the subject of a new agricultural textbook. “Soil health is absolutely
critical to achieving successful, sustainable agriculture,” says Francis Dodds, of Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. Interest in soil has increased with the rise of regenerative agricultural practices, he explains. The book includes new
research by Felicity Crotty, from the Royal Agricultural University, who has assessed the viability of assessing soil health by measuring fauna as a bioindicator of soil health in grasslands, agricultural fields and woodlands. It details the current practices
change through carbon sequestration and storage. “We know that healthy soils can support vegetation and crops in tak- ing out atmospheric carbon dioxide. Soils also provide habitats for biodi- versity and make important contribu- tions to our cultural life.
“Most countries throughout the
world have agreed that to make the world a better place, we should be working towards the UN’s Sustaina-
Soil erosion can be costly as well as damaging
Below: Soil has benefits beyond food, says Professor Jane Rickson
ble Development Goals. I would ar- gue that soil is related to most, if not all of, those goals.” The Andrew Medal is awarded in memory of ICI chemical engineer Syd- ney Andrew, a long time SCI member who exemplified the society’s mission to encourage the application of chem- istry and related sciences for public benefit.
We must begin to value soil as a finite resource
“
Scant attention Dr Andrew died in 2011. The Andrew Medal Lecture is presented every third year on the theme of neglected science – areas which receive scant attention despite being important in agriculture and the chemical industry,. SCI chief executive Sharon Todd said the institute was proud to recog- nise Prof Rickson for her outstanding work – including research, consultan- cy and teaching in soil and water engi- neering, soil degradation and sustain- able land management. Ms Todd said: “Her work has fo- cused on better understanding of soil functions and their role in delivering ecosystems goods and services, includ- ing agricultural production, water reg- ulation and carbon storage. “She is also an excellent role mod- el for the next generation of women in science. I am pleased Prof Rickson was also able to describe some solutions to the problems discussed – such as re- generative agriculture.”
used by practitioners to measure the biological, physical and chemical properties of their soils, allowing them to pinpoint key areas where soil health improvement is required. Part One details the measuring
approaches used to measure soil biological activity, including the use of fauna, fungal and earthworm communities. Part Two explores the array
of techniques used to measure the physical and chemical properties of agricultural soils, detailing advancements made towards assessing soil erodibility, soil function and specified soil characteristics, such as clay and organic matter content. Part Three reviews the role
and application of measurement techniques in the management of soil health. It also discusses soil health indicators and decision support systems (DSS) for improved crop and soil management on farm. Advances in measuring
soil health has been edited by Professor Wilfred Otten, of Cranfield University. It is the latest addition to Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing’s Agricultural Science Series.
AUGUST 2021 • ANGLIA FARMER 39
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