Celebrating 100 years of Soil Science

By Francesca Merlo

Unless you work in the field, you don't often hear the phrase "soil science". You may wonder what it means, but soil science is precisely what it says it is: the science of the soil, the upper layer of earth that is fundamental to all life on our planet. 

One hundred years since the scientific and agricultural worlds first came together to study this vital substance, experts in the field are convening in Florence, Italy, from 19-21 May for a three-day conference to discuss "past achievements and future challenges."

The Conference Hall

The international congress, sponsored by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), is taking place in the ancient city’s beautiful Congress Palace. Surrounded by a perfectly tailored garden, rooms are set up to accommodate an estimated 1,500 people from all over the globe. Diplomatic round tables are arranged in conference rooms, their stained glass windows overlooking the luscious greenery that surrounds the conference hall.

Conference room

Each place is set with a welcome kit. Sustainability is key, and the organisers have thought of everything: glass bottles, recycling bins, recycled paper, and recycled pencils. 

Welcome kit

The auditorium on the ground floor is filled with stands, ready to host exhibitions from eight different companies: the British Soil Sciences Society, the Soil Science Society of China, Ecosearch, FAO, Finapp, IUSS – SISS, MDPI, and DAGRI – University of Florence. These organizations will be represented throughout the three days, with keynote addresses, plenary meetings, and workshops.

Exhibition stalls

The conference will feature around 100 live sessions addressing issues such as soil health, agricultural and forestry management, food and water security, fertilizer use, and biodiversity conservation in relation to human health.

The conference will be inaugurated on Sunday afternoon, tackling the most obvious question: what is soil science, and what is the history of the IUSS? The most pressing question to be addressed is: what is the role of soil in sustaining society and the environment?

We’ll find out together over the next few days.