Getting the dirt on soil connectivity

Australian farmers are being invited to take part in a simple survey to measure human connectivity to soil.

Researchers at the University of Sydney, in collaboration with the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) and AgriKnowHow, are pioneering work to unpack the connection of land managers with soil under their care after human connectivity to soil was identified as one of five vital factors identified by global research as influencing the security of the world’s soils.

“Currently, there is no established way to measure human connectivity to soil,” said AFI General Manager Katie McRobert. “This is the challenge we are working on, and we need the help of Australia’s farmers. From the project results we hope to provide an approach that can be applied globally to better direct soil policy, education and practice development based on solid facts, not myths.”