Soil is a dynamic material, influencing life in #soil and being influenced by living things as well. This new #GroundedInSoils blog explains some of the processes happening under your feet! Shown: #mycorrhizal fungi in flax root. wp.me/pclOv9-yy

Research showed that using willow chips as a #soil amendment for potato crops can enhance soil organic matter and help prevent #nitrogen leaching from fields. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-eD

Soils are now recognized as the most biodiverse habitat on Earth. Some biota in the soil can be seen, like ants and earthworms. Others can only be seen using a microscope. Learn more in this GroundedInSoils blog: wp.me/pclOv9-yb

Increasing the duration, number, and type of plant roots in soil through the presence of continuous living plants is an important ingredient for building healthier soil. Learn more here: wp.me/pclOv9-e0.

Southwestern Quebec’s high #organic matter soils cover an area of 12,000 hectares or 4% of the southern territory. These organic #soils are of great importance for high-value crops, like leafy greens. Read more here: wp.me/pclOv9-dK.

Soil pH matters because nutrients can be held or released by soil particles depending on soil pH. You can test and amend your soil so your garden has maximum potential, just like farmers do. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-y3

#Composts are partially decomposed organic #soil amendments. They add #carbon and other nutrients to the soil. They can also influence soil texture in a positive way. Learn more in this new #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-dz

Cohesion and adhesion are forces that help soil retain and release water. Read about how soil is important in the water cycle in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-xV

Land reclamation is a requirement of companies seeking to alter the landscape for natural resource operations and/or land use changes. This photo shows a restored mining operation. Learn more about soil reclamation in this #GroundedInSoils blog: wp.me/pclOv9-cP

Soil can capture & retain water for a substantial amount of time, depending on the type of soil particles present. By storing water, soil supports plant & soil microbe health and growth. Learn more about how soil holds water in this #GroundedInSoils blog: wp.me/pclOv9-xV

Controlled traffic farming is an approach to address soil compaction. Controlled traffic farming limits where all field equipment is driven. This method reduces soil compaction and improves soil health. Read our #GroundedInSoils blog: wp.me/pclOv9-cn

The goal of soil health management is to minimize threats to #soil health that result in soil degradation. This #GroundedInSoils blog covers reducing soil compaction - including using root vegetables! More: wp.me/pclOv9-cc

Soil is a complex three-phase system, comprised of solids, liquids, and gases. This area of soil science study is called soil physics. Learn about this important area of study in this new #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-xc

Learn about the soils of Ontario! The Wisconsinan #glaciation covered Ontario with ice thicknesses exceeding one kilometre. This glacial event deposited almost all the parent materials from which Ontario #soils have developed. #GroundedInSoils tells more: wp.me/pclOv9-c4

Soils of Ontario

All of Ontario was once covered by the Laurentide Ice sheet of the Wisconsinan glaciation. The glacier had ice thicknesses exceeding one kilometre. This glacial event is responsible for the deposit…

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Keith Reid is a soil scientist working toward the sustainable management of soil resources. Learn about why he became a soil scientist and what he likes about soil in this new #GroundedInSoil blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-xL

No single measurement quantifies #soil health. Soil scientists infer the health of a soil from a multitude of soil attributes, processes, and contexts. Tend to the soils with care to ensure that soils’ role in providing #ecosystem services will continue. wp.me/pclOv9-bT

You may have heard that #soil can have salts in it. Does this mean table salt? Not really. There are many types of salts that build up in the soil – which can be a bad thing. Learn more about soil salinization in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-x5

Individuals can improve the organic matter of the soil in their own yard (or workplace!) by adapting the best practices of farmers. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wZ

Though we typically refer to Alberta, Saskatchewan, & Manitoba as the Prairie Provinces, the true #prairies generally occupy only their southern portions. Shown: Chernozemic & Luvisolic great groups found in the Prairie Provinces. Read about their interesting #soils here: wp.me/pclOv9-bJ

Most soils are composed of inorganic mineral materials comprising the overwhelming bulk of a soil. Well-structured soils are composed of about 50% solids; most of the solids are mineral materials. Learn more about soil mineralogy in this #GroundedInSoils blog: wp.me/pclOv9-bA

Minerals in the soil

Most soils are composed of inorganic mineral materials that comprise the overwhelming bulk of soil. Well-structured soils are composed of about 50% solids; most if the solid portion is mineral mate…

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Scientists are working with farmers and others to find ways to increase the soil organic matter on their farms. Leaving plant litter, reducing tillage, and using cover crops are a few methods being used. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wZ

Soil organic matter is a complex mixture of plant, animal, or microbial-derived residues at various stages of decomposition. Plants and microbial communities are usually the biggest contributors to #soil organic matter. Learn more in this blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wQ

What is soil organic matter? #Soil organic matter consists of both living and non-living organisms and their components. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wQ

📢The Global Soil Biodiversity Conference 2026 abstract submission deadline is coming up quickly 🐛🐜🕷️🦠🪱 Abstracts are due July 15th 23:59 PDT ‼️ Submit an abstract 👇 globalsoilbiodiversity2026.org/abstract/ @gsb2026.bsky.social

Charitha Hansima studied the environmental fate of veterinary antibiotics for her Masters degree. This work led her to the soil science community, and she started to see “the environment” through the lens of soil. Learn more: wp.me/pclOv9-xo

How have humans influenced #soil development? Activities like agriculture and logging disrupted the natural processes of soil development that were in place before the settlers arrived in Canada. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wI

A research team at the Natural Resources CA, CAForest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, AB, recently published results of a study using native #wetland species to reclaim treated fluid fine tailings. Read more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-eQ

Early bird registration prices end this Saturday, May 31st! Make sure to register to get your discount! "Soils for our Future - A Gathering of Global to Local Perspectives" will be held in Winnipeg, Canada, from July 20-25, 2025. Sign up for amazing tours and workshops! soilsforourfuture.ca

Soil surveys help understand the history and classification of soils in a specific area. #Soil scientists then create soil maps with this information to help in land use planning. Learn more in today’s blog: wp.me/pclOv9-aJ

What are soil surveys?

Canada is endowed with vast amounts of agricultural land. Soil scientists determined this by doing soil surveys, starting in 1914. Today we know that worldwide, Canada has the third largest area of…

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Charitha Hansima is earning her PhD in soil science at the University of Manitoba. Her research is especially relevant for Prairie agroecosystems, where sustainable management of soils is key. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-xo