Synergising pedodiversity and biodiversity to secure soil functionality. This project aims to understand the coupling between soil physical, chemical and biological diversity at a range of scales and land uses across New South Wales and its relationship with soil functioning. Soil diversity with its coupled biodiversity is crucial for conservation of sustainable ecosystems. Soil diversity varies on a continuum from microbial habitats to elds, catchments and regions. This project will enhance ou ....Synergising pedodiversity and biodiversity to secure soil functionality. This project aims to understand the coupling between soil physical, chemical and biological diversity at a range of scales and land uses across New South Wales and its relationship with soil functioning. Soil diversity with its coupled biodiversity is crucial for conservation of sustainable ecosystems. Soil diversity varies on a continuum from microbial habitats to elds, catchments and regions. This project will enhance our ability to understand the drivers of soil change through time, critical for minimising loss of biodiversity, achieving food and soil security and inferring effects of climate change.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL210100054
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,277,650.00
Summary
A calculable approach to securing Australia's soil. Much of our productive land is currently degraded, severely impacting the ability of soils to contribute to planetary health. The aim of this program is to deliver a comprehensive systematic soil monitoring system within a world-first soil security framework. The research will create a detailed reference of the Australian landscape to elucidate impacts on our soil cover. Soil security indicators will be created from which ameliorative actions c ....A calculable approach to securing Australia's soil. Much of our productive land is currently degraded, severely impacting the ability of soils to contribute to planetary health. The aim of this program is to deliver a comprehensive systematic soil monitoring system within a world-first soil security framework. The research will create a detailed reference of the Australian landscape to elucidate impacts on our soil cover. Soil security indicators will be created from which ameliorative actions can be prioritised, while early warning systems will offer predictive capability around emerging threats to soil condition, feeding into best-management practices for regeneration. Outcomes will see soil secured for future generations and Australia at the forefront of soil assessment and restoration.Read moreRead less
Forecasting soil conditions. Not knowing where and how soil responds to climate change and human intervention compromises food, water, climate and energy security. Currently there is a lack of soil process knowledge and data infrastructure collectively causing significant uncertainty and risk in the assessments of key threats to soil. The project devises a transformational digital soil model to forecast where and how soil pH and carbon will change in New South Wales. Tested on sites within Au ....Forecasting soil conditions. Not knowing where and how soil responds to climate change and human intervention compromises food, water, climate and energy security. Currently there is a lack of soil process knowledge and data infrastructure collectively causing significant uncertainty and risk in the assessments of key threats to soil. The project devises a transformational digital soil model to forecast where and how soil pH and carbon will change in New South Wales. Tested on sites within Australia, the model will give insight on the drivers of change and will provide a unique analysis of the effect of climate change and land management on the dynamics of soil.Read moreRead less