Welcome to the summer newsletter from the BSSS! Once again summer has been a scorcher, with worsening drought and wildfires across the UK and the globe. It was amazing to witness the power of soil to support plants through the worst of it, but the limits were pushed. We know from the work of our members that with the right practices, soils can be more resilient to drought and climate change, but we still have plenty to learn to get more from soils. Our activities in the BSSS over the past few months have spanned from advocating better practices to growers and government, through to engaging and supporting scientists at the forefront of new discoveries.
In June, Andy Morris (Executive Director) and I attended Rhizosphere6 in Edinburgh where the BSSS was a sponsor, and we had our own stand. This international conference brought together 400 specialists from across the world to discuss the latest innovations on the below-ground world of plants and how they interact with soil. Diverse research was presented including the search for new crop varieties that perform better under drought or reduced fertilisers, threats from climate change, food security and plant-soil processes that drive terrestrial biodiversity. BSSS members, including former President Liz Baggs and me, were active as the organising committee, student helpers, session chairs and speakers. We had positive feedback on the BSSS from many delegates and took details of a few dozen new potential members. We also re-connected with several lapsed members and advocated the relevance of the BSSS to anyone working on soil.
Off the back of Rhizosphere6, I’m Guest Editing a Special Issue of the European Journal of Soil Science. Titled ‘The role of the rhizosphere in improving soil’, it will build on Peter Gregory’s Russell Review where he pondered “Are plant roots only “in” soil or are they “of” it?”. Its open to all for submissions by 30 October and to find out more, click here.
On behalf of our journals, Jenni Dungait (EJSS Editor) and I attended the European Geosciences Union (EGU) in Vienna at the end of April. I was a last-minute stand-in for Leo Condron, Soil Use and Management’s Editor (he had a family emergency due to a soil sampling related injury). We had stints at the Wiley stand where we publicised our journals, got feedback from potential authors, chatted with the editors of other journals and discussed journal strategy with our publisher. It was great to see so many BSSS members at the EGU, many of whom organised sessions or were solicited speakers.
Early July saw many of the BSSS Executive and members at Groundswell, the Regenerative Agriculture ‘Festival’ held in Hertfordshire. This is the only event I know of that features both a soil pit and a rave. Alongside our Corporate Members ADAS, farmers, specialists and the public got their hands dirty, learning and conversing about the fascinating properties of soils and how they can be protected through better practices.
Natural England hosted their Soil Health Conference in Sheffield in July. One session focussed on training opportunities at schools, universities and via our Working with Soils courses to ensure the next crop of trained soil scientists. We held the AGM at the end of the meeting, welcoming John Hollis and David Hopkins as new Honorary Members, and electing several new volunteers to Council. The following day the BSSS Board held a workshop to discuss our 80th Anniversary celebrations, to be held in 2027! We came up with many plans, including honouring the achievements of our members over the years. If you have any ideas on how to mark this important occasion, please let us know.
Our next big activity in Eurosoil being held in Seville this September. BSSS will have a stand and we hope to see you there. We have a panel session comprising 5 major projects either funded by the EU or national monitoring programmes. This will have a dual purpose for projects to demonstrate their exciting science and relevance to protecting soils, and as a networking event to bring projects together. It is being held on 10 September, 17:30–18:30, in BAHIA Hall (Auditorium D). At the conference, the BSSS will be bidding to host Eurosoil in 2028.
So, it’s been another busy few months at the BSSS. With our involvement at various events, securing Kate Humble as our new Patron, contributing to several government enquiries related to soil health, and the growth of our journals, 2025 is turning out to be a successful year!
