Register for the PRSSS-BCCAI AGM, scheduled for March 1st, 2025. Join us for a day spent learning the wonders of soil data science.
2024 World Soil Day!
Today marks the 2024 FAO World Soil Day!
This year’s theme, Caring for soils: Measure, monitor, manage. Soil science has advanced significantly since the 19th century, driven by innovations like gene sequencing for detailed organism analysis, light spectroscopy for soil carbon and CEC measurements, and isotope tracing for biogeochemical cycles. Additionally, advances in computer modeling and statistics have enabled global predictions of soil changes, fueling the growth of the field of ‘pedometrics’!
While all the new gadgets and gizmos have given more analytic power to the soil scientist, much of soil science still starts with simple tools like shovels, sieves, and the trained eye of a scientist. Many soil scientists first connected with the field through hands-on methods such as hand-texturing soils, identifying horizons, or culturing soil microorganisms. Even today, the best data models rely on field-collected information and well-established laboratory techniques. These methods are brought to life through the expertise and dedication of researchers, technicians, and policy professionals, who transform raw observations into meaningful findings.
As Hans Jenny, pioneer of the soil-forming equation (ClORPT), emphasized, soils are incredibly dynamic and complex systems! With each advancement in methodology, their complexity becomes more apparent. While many like to cite the sheer abundance of organisms and minerals found within one cup of soil, few stop to ask how we know what we know. Unraveling soil’s secrets demands time, energy, and above all, determination from soil scientists. This World Soil Day, we celebrate the dedication of researchers, technicians, and consultants whose work deserves the highest recognition now more than ever.
To learn more about World Soil Day, visit the FAO’s world soil day website, which features campaign materials, contests, and activities. The PRSSS is also hosting several events across BC, so you won’t have to worry about spending world soil day alone. And if you are curious about the vast world of soil and data science, our 2025 Annual General Meeting will be exploring this topic further with guest speakers, panelists and workshops. Thank you to all our members for your continued support, and we hope to hear lots of great stories from this year’s world soil day.
Master’s in Geography – University of Victoria
UVic’s Environmental Governance Group (envirogov.org) at the University of Victoria (UVic)
in British Columbia, Canada is seeking applications for a Master’s student. With support from a
Canadian Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Alliance Society grant,
Dr. Sophia Carodenuto (UVic) and Dr. Sylvie Quideau (University of Alberta) are offering a 2-
year funded graduate Master’s Research Assistant position for policy analysis under the project
“Carbon under Canadian forests – Why soils matter.” UVic Geography offers minimum
funding packages, and funding will be competitive for the successful candidate.
A full project overview can be found here
Details about the graduate program can be found here
PRSSS-BCCAI Preliminary Survey
In collaboration with the British Columbia Centre for Agritech (BCCAI), the PRSSS is developing a series of seminars to teach students and professionals data analysis and application skills. Complete the attached survey to have your input heard, and enter the prize draw!
Project Manager – CanN2ONet
The CanN2O is a new Canadian collaboration network that seeks to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions from agriculture. They are seeking a new Project Manager! Details can be found at this link.
PhD and Postdoc positions – Purdue University
Purdue University’s College of Agriculture is seeking PhD and Postdoc candidates related to ecosystem and soil sustainability. More information can be found here.
BC Ministry – Research Scientist
The BC Ministry of Forests is looking for a Research Scientist for their Dawson Creek/Fort St. John Office. More information can be found here.
Integral Ecology Group – Ecologist
Integral Ecology Group is looking to hire a new soil scientist. You can find the link to the details here.
MSc position at UNBC
Dr. Michael Preston has the following MSc soil science positions available for 2024/25 at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, BC. These projects will be suitable for students interested in soil health/soil ecology/soil organic carbon. All projects are funded and start dates are somewhat flexible.
- Ultramafic tailings restoration (2 positions): projects could look at the use of bioamendments to restore semi-natural wildlife habitat optimized for moose or caribou. Or students could examine the use of non-food agricultural crops, such as biofuels. Another project will look at the impact of extreme climate events (drought, flood, prolonged high temperatures) on the stability of proposed amendments and the ability of the soil biological community to adjust and recover from the event. Students would look at soil biological and physical properties to determine soil health.
- Tree restoration: Trees can sequester carbon in above and belowground carbon pools, as such Canada has pledged to plant 2 billion trees. However, trees should be planted on marginal land to reduce land use conflicts, but it is unclear how this will impact carbon sequestration. Potential projects will look at the impact of tree planting on marginal agricultural land in BC with a focus on understanding how soil ecology impacts the soil organic carbon pool and soil health that could improve existing and future tree restoration projects.
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Silvopasture: Silvopasture is the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land and has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of the cattle and dairy industry. However, little is known about the impact of this practice on soil organic carbon stocks, and soil health in general. Students will assess the impact on the soil microbial community and the carbon and/or nitrogen cycle.
All these positions are linked with industry partners, and students will have the opportunity to spend time with managers to gain industry experience and insight. Suitable students will have some background in one of the following areas: environmental science, soil science, biology, microbiology, or other suitable field. The stipend is $20,000 per year and students can receive ca. $30,000 if they undertake a TA position in the fall and winter semesters.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Michael Preston (michael.preston@unbc.ca) for further details.
2023 World Soil Day Trivia
Join us for Trivia and Beverages on this World Soil Day (December 5th, 2023). The theme of this year’s World Soil Day is Soil and Water. If you are interested in attending, fill out this survey!