Jessica Mehre’s Post

"This paper examines the potential gains to mankind from learning to exploit vapor forms of soil water. Indeed mankind’s very survival on planet earth may depend on this recognition taking place." Check out this new blog from Dr. C. John Baker.

https://lnkd.in/gbdpKJxp I have the utmost respect for Walter Jehne’s clear explanations of landscape function and following from this where potential may be. So much of the current soil science I read seems to me to reflect carbon’s role in soil in unbalanced and damaging agricultural practices and yes in certain agricultural practices that science is often correct. However, observation is a powerful tool. In all the different landscapes I am lucky enough to travel in I am lucky enough to see amazing examples of where certain landscape function/practices lead to extraordinary increases in soil fertility, soil growth and small water cycles, in comparison to the bulk of practices which are at best in a holding phase of landscape health if not rapidly going backwards. I find it always important in different landscapes to observe where soil health is rapidly increasing and then work out how can we replicate this within our management practices. A lot of soil carbon projects I get to see I feel are going to struggle to meet expectations due to poor advice, terribly sad because there is so much potential. A great quote from Dr David Johnston who said, “There may be a limit to how much carbon a soil can hold but there is no limit to how much soil carbon can create” From what I see if we grow and manage the right diversity of plants and soil biology the depth of soil sponge we can create is nothing short of breathtaking let alone the impact this then has on the small water cycle.

A great piece, ahead of the publication of the Status of the World's Soils report in 2025 by the ITPS (Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils). https://lnkd.in/gcB3jj_4

Unearth the vital role of soil, a dynamic blend of minerals, organic matter, air and water, in sustaining life and shaping civilization from agriculture to construction.

BSSS Conference: Forest Soils - A Vital Carbon Store? Organised by the Institute of Chartered Foresters, this panel session on forest soils will feature Dr. Elena Vanguelova, Soil Sustainability Research Leader at Forest Research, Dr Andrew Weatherall MICFor, Principal Policy Officer at RSPB, and Clive Thomas FICFor, Senior Adviser at Regenerative Forestry. Session synopsis: With our climate changing and pressure increasing from land use and intensification, forest horizon scanning has revealed that soil health will become an ever increasing priority within the next 50 years. Through integrating trees into farming systems, to afforestation and restocking decisions, what impact can the forestry sector have in achieving our net zero ambitions and beyond through carbon sequestration? This debate with sector specialists aims to address the varied opinions around carbon sinks in forest management and woodland creation. [Day 2, Parallel Sessions} The BSSS Conference is sponsored by the European Journal of Soil Science and Elementar - we are pleased to be working in partnership with them and thank them for their support. Andrew Morris https://lnkd.in/enZWtQaE

46 billion metric tons of soil carbon, down to a depth of one meter, have been lost in the last few decades due to grazing. 🐂 However, under optimal levels, global grazing lands would sequester 63 billion tons of carbon: the value roughly equivalent to a 30-year carbon accumulation from global natural forest regrowth. 🐂 To achieve optimal levels, ~ 75% of all grazing areas need to reduce grazing intensity. Overall, if the world seriously reduces the amount of grazing, it would reduce the amount of meat that’s available for people. 🐂 An alternative is to optimize rotational grazing to minimize impacts on protein production. Story at https://lnkd.in/dJ75dgAz

Some really interesting research on Irish Peat Soils https://lnkd.in/e9kMsacm

🌱BASIS Foundation Award Soils 🌱 This course explains why it is important to have healthy and resilient agricultural soil - how essential this is in respect of sustainability for farmers to ensure good crop yields and farm profitability. Here's what you'll cover: 🟢 Introduction to soil 🟢Physical properties of soil 🟢Chemical properties of soil 🟢Soil biology & soil life 🟢Organic matter and the carbon cycle 🟢Soil management & remediation practices . 📆 November 2024 💰 £1,100 + vat 👉Learn more here: https://buff.ly/3Y46iD4

FAO posted this great little video 9 years ago; soil awareness has come a long way since! The science, the research, the connection we feel with soil, is now reaching larger and broader parts of society. SaveSoil movement plays a pivotal role in spreading this awareness & urgency faster & wider! Across the globe let’s keep up our voice for soil 🌍🍃✨ The ideal solution to the problem is to get the policies implemented globally to restore organic matter in the soil and these regional based policies can easily be done if we all ask our leaders to take it up as a priority. We can write to our leaders using a simple template here: savesoil.org/write You can find regional policies documents and learn more about your region by following the below link https://lnkd.in/d6S3Tkmi We have come to understand that degradation of fertile soil is one of the major contributors in climate change and the cause of all the natural disasters globally like droughts, floods and many other related issues. As a long term solution to these issues, Sadhguru JV presented a 3-pronged strategy to safeguard soil health & to support farmers at COP15 - UNCCD: 1. Minimum 3-6% organic matter in agricultural soil through incentive-based policy in all nations 2. Carbon credit systems by industries & businesses as second line of incentive for farmers 3. Foods from lands with over 3% organic matter marked for superior quality in the marketplace & thereby ensure higher remuneration for farmers We must act now to #SaveSoil Visit consciousplanet.org or savesoil.org for more info. Let's talk about soil https://lnkd.in/ez2TRGdn

New chapter alert! This is an update from our chapter in the 2nd edition of the book, co-authored by team members Ana Catarina Bastos and Frank Verheijen and Simon Jeffery (UK) and Diego Abalos (DK). We now focus more on potential mechanisms and how to "match #biochar characteristics with #soil properties, #climate, and #plant requirements to maximize the possibility of #yield increases and to minimize the occurrence of trade-offs." CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies DAO UA Universidade de Aveiro #regenerativeagriculture #climatechangeadaptation https://lnkd.in/dkcNPz-Q