How many soils samples are taken in the Wheatbelt every year?
And what happens to all the data?
How is change in soil condition demonstrated over time?
For some years now a National Soil Monitoring program has been identified as a way in which soils can be monitored, to understand the condition and the impacts of change over time.
At the moment so much soil data sits on desktops across Australia and does not contribute to the national soil knowledge base.
In 2017 the National Soils Advocate pointed to the importance of soils data and information. Recently consultation by the Australian Government for the development of the new National Soil Strategy identified the need for a national soil monitoring program.
As part of the National Soil Strategy, the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment commissioned VenturePro to assist with a consultation process in May and June 2020 to engage with key subject matter experts and better understand future soil monitoring requirements. This consultation took the form of a series of online workshops and a questionnaire which sought to capture a range of relevant perspectives and experiences.
The result is this scoping report. The report sets out potential first steps in the development of a national program.
Some interesting reading for those that love soil and data. If you want to be part of future consultation contact the Soil Policy team.
This Wheatbelt NRM project is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.