Excited that one of my passive #dust samplers is now deployed on the Monte Rosa massif in northern #italy! Thanks to collaborators from the University of Turin for making this unique opportunity possible. #dustsquared #CriticalZone #Alps #environment #geology #soil

This picture came with the caption:

"The soil's getting good down here!"

M's excitement is understandable. This one of the first areas he concentrated his efforts to replace stripped pasture with #FoodForest about seven years ago. From that plot we now regularly harvest bamboo for our construction, cardamom, bananas and ocumo. Most exciting? His prized theobroma bicolor is about to flower.

There's nothing quite like seeing results, and #soil quality is the one we're looking for.

New NIOO publication: Combined effects of aboveground herbivores and belowground microorganisms on dynamics of #soil #nematode communities in grassland #mesocosms. #plantcommunity #soilfoodwebs #aphids
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2023.105097

As part of #DustSquared I maintain a network of samplers in the mountains of #utah and #nevada to capture mineral #dust blowing up from the deserts. A former student is making the big loop to empty them all this month, and I’m excited to follow along with his adventures! #fieldwork #geology #soil

"...a team of researchers are taking nature's designs and engineering a new solution for planting crops, fertilising soil or replanting forests." https://youtu.be/MZC_hXx1_Yc #Youtube #Video #Videos #Science #Engineering #Nature #Plants #Agriculture #Soil #Forest @science @engineering

Why Genetically Engineered Soil Microbes Are Concerning. The modifications released inside #GMO microbes could move across species and geographic boundaries with unforeseen and potentially irreparable consequences—and on a far larger less-containable scale via @GMWatch
#teamplanet #gmo #soil #biodiversity #microbes https://foodtank.com/news/2023/08/why-genetically-engineered-soil-microbes-are-concerning/

This is the beginning of my #soil restoration project. An area of our #MN property had been cleared, covered in plastic, & topped with 1-2 tons of sand. We pulled out the old play structure, and I am hand digging out the plastic. Then I add compost, cardboard & mulch. It’s slow going. In the winter this area will be covered with several feet of snow. Hopefully, next spring, I can begin planting native habitat in the completed areas.

@Panchoram Direct drilling is a farming practice where seeds are planted directly into the soil without any prior plowing or tilling. It aims to minimize #soil disturbance, helping preserve the structure and microbial life within the soil. Direct drilling can contribute to maintaining soil health, preventing erosion, and promoting #carbon sequestration, which are all important factors in addressing #climate targets and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Improving soil quality is crucial to meeting climate targets. Simple techniques like crop rotation and cover crops can enhance soil health, allowing it to store and sequester carbon dioxide. Additionally, soil plays a key role in supporting food security, water availability, and biodiversity. #soil #climate #food

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/08/soil-health-climate-crisis-climate-targets/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=HariTulsidas%2Fmagazine%2FArchetypes

The soil is home to a diverse range of life, including insects, spiders, bacteria, and fungi. This diversity is crucial for food production, climate regulation, and human health. #soil #life #biodiversity

https://theconversation.com/more-than-half-of-life-on-earth-is-found-in-soil-heres-why-thats-important-211455?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=HariTulsidas%2Fmagazine%2FArchetypes

My contribution about phoretic mites: #GlobalSymposium on #soils for nutrition, 2022 by FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. #Proceedings volume now published.

citation of Proceedings volume:

#FAO. 2023. Soils, where food begins – Proceedings of the Global Symposium on Soils for Nutrition, 26-29 July 2022. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc6728en

My #paper: #Phoretic #mites as #microclimate originators in special #ephemeral #soil #habitats ....., page 112

2006: #ice #soil in #july discontinuous #permafrost #forest #steppe #terelj #ulaanbaatar #mongolia #asia #2006

Our soil needs respect
#soil #science #scicomm #biology #fungi

https://rabble.ca/environment/life-filled-and-life-giving-soil-is-too-precious-to-waste/

This is a fascinating article about the techniques being used by rice farmers in India. A drive to modern hybrid varieties which required chemicals and fertilizers damaged the soil. Changing to old varieties like Red rice and altering how rice is grown, for example, in giving more space between plants, is giving farmers better returns and looking after the soil.

#GoodNews #Farming #India #Rice #Varieties #Science #Agriculture #Water #Experiment #Land #Soil #Care

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66323991

Sometimes the FAO does useful stuff:

The Global Soil Doctors Programme is a farmer-to-farmer training initiative that aims to build the capacity of farmers on sustainable soil management while supporting national governments and stakeholders in addressing the needs of their rural communities. This online platform provides support for farmers, policy makers, development planners, agricultural extension workers, NGOs, private sectors and any other practitioner/stakeholder interested in transmitting the importance of soil as a vital resource.

https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/pillars-action/2-awareness-raising/soil-doctor/en/
#Agroecology #SoilScience #ExtensionServices #Farming #Fao #BurkinaFaso #FarmerToFarmer #SoilDoctorsProgramme #GlobalSoilDoctorsProgramme #Soil #SoilStewardship #SustainableAgriculture #Agriculture

Oh, interessant, die haben auch noch eine meiner absoluten Lieblingsbands gecovert.

NP: #SOiL - Snap your fingers, snap your neck

Ganz ordentlich, auch wenn mir das Original besser gefällt. :)

I've been trying to find the best #remediation method for 2-3 cubic yards of #soil contaminated by #diesel gas.

suggestions?

So far, low temp #pyrolysis seems like the best bet, but I'm not sure what sort of set-up would work to achieve a consistent 100-350C low oxygen burn.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653519321915

Amid heavy rain and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, part of a railway track is hanging in the air as the soil underneath it has been washed away. At least 71 people have died in the past three days and 13 are still missing after devastating rains pounded the state.
#NDTVGroundReport #RailTrackHangs #Air #Soil #Himachal
https://www.ndtv.com/video/news/news/himachal-landslide-ndtv-ground-report-rail-track-hangs-in-air-after-soil-washed-away-in-himachal-718051

@GrrlScientist
Well, this is certainly a step in the right direction.

What exactly is a "functional grass #lawn," anyway? #Grass lawns are strictly #decorative, and therefore non-functional by definition. If a patch of grass has a legitimate function, then it's not a lawn. Native #grasses for #soil #erosion prevention? Functional. #Lawns and #golf courses? Non-functional.

Note to any butthurt #golfers out there:
A golf course is *not* a legitimate function of grass. Your #GolfBall will roll just fine on any moderately flat surface. Find a way to play your #SillyGame without #KillingThePlanet, or find a new silly game. #SorryNotSorry

♻️ Mulch, compost, add layers, but unless you have SERIOUSLY compacted soil, don't till please. It's for the soil's sake and for the regeneration of it's biosphere that we've destroyed. ♻️

#naturalist #soil #regeneration #gardening #farming