Submit to the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation for a Special Issue on Soil Health and Conservation
Submission Deadline Extended: September 30, 2024
Issue Organizers: Jerry L. Hatfield, Retired USDA ARS; Humberto Blanco, University of Nebraska; Adam Reimer, National Wildlife Federation; and Cristine Morgan, Soil Health Institute; in collaboration with Gretchen Sassenrath and J. Arbuckle, Editors, JSWC
Soil Health and Conservation
The concept of "soil health" has evolved over time as a comprehensive measure of the soil's capacity to fulfill critical functions in agriculture and conservation. Historically, terms like "tilth" and "soil quality" were employed to describe the attributes of soil that contributed to successful crop production. These early terms, however, have not fully encompassed the broader ecological and societal implications associated with soil management.
The shift toward "soil health" reflects a more holistic understanding of the soil's role in supporting not only agricultural productivity but also environmental quality, ecosystem functions, and societal benefits. This transition has gained momentum as researchers recognize the interconnectedness of soil health with broader issues such as soil conservation, natural resource enhancement, food security, and the overall sustainability of the farm economy.
In the context of agriculture, soil health signifies more than just the ability to support crop growth. It encompasses the soil's resilience to stress, nutrient cycling capabilities, and overall vitality, all of which are pivotal for sustaining long-term agricultural productivity. Understanding and promoting soil health has become a central focus in modern agricultural practices, emphasizing sustainable approaches that optimize both productivity and conservation objectives.
The recognition that healthy soils contribute to the prevention of erosion, the retention of water, and the promotion of biodiversity underscore the critical link between soil health and conservation efforts. This special issue will synthesize our current knowledge of soil health effects on the multifunctionality of the landscape and the farm and will be prepared by experts encompassing their specific area of research.
Topics may include but are not limited to soil health’s role in the following:
- Metrics, measurement, and functionality of soil
- Enhancing ecosystem functions (provisioning, regulating, supporting, societal)
- Linkage to erosion processes
- Impact on water quantity and quality
- Role in greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation
- Linkage to soil carbon sequestration
- Increasing the efficacy of conservation practices
- Implications for food security/crop production
- Enhancing farm economics
- Farmer adoption of new practices
We invite authors to submit original research papers on soil health, aiming for contributions that delve into empirical studies, innovative methodologies, and original findings. While literature reviews and viewpoints offer valuable insights, our emphasis is on fostering a collection of diverse, data-driven research that advances the understanding of the connections between soil health, agriculture, and conservation. We encourage contributions from around the world to provide a holistic perspective of this topic.
Issue Deadlines
Submit for peer review by August 1, 2024 September 30, 2024
Complete review by March 1, 2025
Publish May 2025
(Papers accepted prior to March 1 may be published online in advance, and will be later compiled in the special issue. Papers that are not accepted by the March 1 deadline may be considered for publication in a regular journal issue.)
Submission Instructions
Please submit through the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation online manuscript submission system (https://www.editorialmanager.com/jswc/). Select article type “Soil Health and Conservation” when submitting your paper.
Additional information about the journal and research article submissions may be found at https://www.jswconline.org/content/information-authors