Soil and Water Conservation: Our History and Future Challenges

Abstract

Remembering our past is an essential first step into the future. Building on that philosophy, we summarize two presentations from a 2012 Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) symposium focused on soil management challenges in response to climate change to examine: (i) how the Soil and Water Management and Conservation Division evolved, (ii) how soil management research approaches have changed since the division was founded, and (iii) how division scientists are helping an increasing global population respond to a dynamic and changing climate. Our division roots and much of soil science in general were literally and figuratively grounded in field research. Here, we examine the transition from field‐scale observational to reductionist research approaches, discuss why the latter approach is inadequate for addressing landscape‐scale, cropping system response to climate change, and suggest an alternative soil management research approach for our future. The evolution, challenges, and success of a four‐factor landscape‐scale cropping system study in the U.S. Great Plains is used to illustrate the proposed approach. Recent developments in research programs that promote a more comprehensive systems approach are also provided. We conclude with optimism that by identifying new funding priorities and approaches, SSSA scientists and engineers will be able to help solve several complex and wicked 21st century natural resource problems associated with a dynamic and changing climate and a population of more than nine billion people.

How efficiently do corn‐ and soybean‐based cropping systems use water? A systems modeling analysis

“…Evaluation of water use based solely on physiological parameters is yield-focused and fails to consider problems caused by water leaving the cropping system. As the goals of better environmental quality and higher agricultural production coincide, indices that weigh both aspects simultaneously are necessary (Karlen et al, 2014). Loss of soil, nutrients, and pesticides to waterways is a major problem in high agricultural production areas such as the Midwestern United States (Broussard & Turner, 2009).…”

A Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) Evaluation of Brazilian Sugarcane Expansion on Soil Quality

“…S oil quality or health is a key factor required to achieve sustainable agricultural systems that will meet our increasing demands for food, feed, fiber, and fuels. Therefore, in recent decades SQ has been discussed worldwide and become a major agenda item for the scientific community (Karlen et al, , 2014a. Soil quality was defined as the capacity of a specific kind of soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation (Karlen et al, 1997 Core Ideas:…”

Soil Degradation: Will Humankind Ever Learn?

“…Hillel [3] provides many other references from current and historical times that address concerns related to the health of soil and land resources. Similar concerns regarding humanity's history of poor soil resource management, apparent lack of concern for soil health, and consequences of our negligence can be found in writings of Lowdermilk [4], Montgomery [5], and Larson, who often stated that soil is "the thin layer covering the planet that stands between us and starvation" [6].…”