Over the last few years, considerable attention has been devoted in the scientific literature
and in the media to the concept of “ecosystem” services of soils. The monetary valuation of …

In a handful of fertile soil there are billions of microorganisms and yet, even with a
conservative estimate, the surface area covered by these organisms is considerably less …

When the Soil Science Society of America was created, 75 yr ago, the USA was suffering
from major dust storms, causing the loss of enormous amounts of topsoil as well as human …

Core Ideas Acknowledge the role of experiential knowledge in informing soil use and
management. Investigate knowledge needs and discourse in a deeper and all …

Core Ideas Despite historic gains, women remain under‐represented in soils‐related
careers. Women are under‐represented in soil science leadership positions. Women …

Soils deliver under‐recognized ecosystem services by supplying habitat for ground‐
dwelling pollinators, such as wild bees and other organisms, that pollinate 80% of insect …

Polluted water contains a variety of toxic compounds that tend to affect human health.
Farmers have recently looked at runoff wastewater as a source of irrigation water because it …

A Plea to Reform Soil Science Education Page 1 Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 71:639–640 doi:10.2136/sssaj2007.0083l
Received 26 Feb. 2007. *Corresponding author (jwhopmans@ucdavis.edu). © Soil Science …

Global efforts to identify and develop soil quality indices that can accurately and efficiently
quantify effects of soil and crop management began to emerge around the world during the …

In the last decade many authors have talked about a crisis in soil science, manifested by the
disappearance of the term “soil” in many research organizations, cuts in funding and a loss …