Helaina Black, Soil Ecologist

Soil Functions …

What is all the fuss about?

Bite sizes …

A wee history lesson What does it mean? The range of soil functions Significance of soil functions Scientific approaches Challenges and knowledge gaps

A wee bit of (soil) science history …

1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050

Evolution of soil functions

Soil functions … What does it mean?

Recognise that there are different perspectives

Process Role System Service

FUNCTION

Jax, K. 2005. Function and “functioning” in ecology: what does it mean? OIKOS 111(3): 641-648.

Process perspective

Process Role System Service

FUNCTION

Function describes the interactions of soil components

which illustrate changes in time in processes without consideration

of cause-effect relationships

e.g., cation-exchange capacity, function of clay minerals,

decomposition of organic matter

Role perspective

Role System Service

FUNCTION

Function describes a role of individual soil components.

e.g., the function of humus in

water retention, the function of earthworms, the function of

methanotrophic microbes

System perspective

Process Role System Service

FUNCTION

Function describes the state / functioning of a system as a reflection of complex interactions between processes and components e.g. carbon and nutrient cycling, water cycling, atmospheric gas exchanges

Service perspective

Process Role System Service

FUNCTION

Function describes characteristics of the system that are of practical use for humans or other living beings. e.g., nutrient availability for crop growth, sequestration of carbon, water retention preventing flooding, physical medium for plant growth, reservoir of biodiversity with conservation value

“Soil functions are general capabilities of soils that are important for various

agricultural, environmental, nature protection, landscape architecture and

urban applications.”

http://www.isric.org/about-soils/functions-soil Blum, W.E.H. 1993. Soil Protection concept of the Council of Europe and Integrated Soil Research. In: Soil and Environment Vol. I. Integrated soil and sediment research: a basis for proper protection (eds. H.J.P. Eijsackers & T. Hamers), pp. 37-47. Kluwer Academic Publisher, Dordrecht.

The range of soil functions…

BIOMASS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

BIODIVERSITY & GENE POOL

RAW MATERIALS

PLATFORM

CULTURE & HERITAGE

SOIL FOR OUR FUTURE

Approaches to characterising soil functions…

What would influence soil functions

Characterising soil functions

Inherent properties and processes Parent material Natural hazards Climate Place in a landscape Vegetation cover Land use Management Pollution ….

Bio

mas

s En

viron

me

ntal

Bio

dive

rsity H

eri

tage

LCA/ALC

Crop suitability

Tree suitability

Fertility indices

Conditions for the preservation of remains

Past climate reconstructions from soils

HOST

Critical loads

NVZ

GAEC

Carbon assessments

Modelling GHG emissions

Recording of rare species

Suitability for native habitats

Food supply for birds and animals

DNA surveys

Knowledge and skills gaps…

Knowledge

Current status and trends Spatial organisation Dynamics of function Response to drivers of change Management options Restoration potential

Skills / tools

Contemporary and adequate data

Modelling approaches

Measurement and monitoring tools

Indicators

Merging classical expert knowledge with contemporary scientific approaches

Restoration of function? Seybold et al 1999. Soil resilience: a fundamental component of soil quality. Soil Science 164(4); 224-234

Carbon sequestration

Risks to water quality

Biodiversity conservation How to quantify function

Unacceptable status

Speed of change

Relevance of change

Unacceptable change

How to define multi-

functionality

Capacity for soil functions

Unconstrained biophysical capacity e.g. properties and processes

Socially (politically) constrained capacity = achievable function e.g. people and society’s willingness and abilities

Economically constrained capacity e.g. pressures & drivers

Constrained biophysical capacity e.g. soil type x land use x management

Minimum Maximum

centuries

decades

years

Pyramid of scientific knowledge and approaches…

ESS

SOIL FUNCTIONS

SOIL SYSTEMS

SOIL PROCESSES

SOIL PROPERTIES

Significance of soil functions…

Revised World Soil Charter

“Soils are a key enabling resource, central to the creation of a host of

goods and services integral to ecosystems and human well-being…”

http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/docs/ITPS_Pillars/annexVII_WSC.pdf http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership/intergovernmental-technical-panel-on-soils/en/

39th session of the UN FAO Conference

(June 2015)

Wrapping up…

Appreciate perspectives Know your context Multi-functionality is the future Ground-breaking science is needed It matters what you do

Thank you