Scope: Soils are crucial for life on earth and soil biodiversity is responsible for most soil-borne functions on which humans depend, including the production of food, feed, fibre and biofuels, clean air, drinking water, pathogen regulation and carbon storage. However, until recently little was known about the global patterns in soil biodiversity and how these patterns lead to the functions that soils provide. In the present course, we will explore advances in global soil biodiversity assessments and what these mean for the mechanistic understanding of the ecological patterns and processes in natural and man-made (including agricultural) ecosystems. We will discuss how these novel insights will enhance understanding how nature works. Ultimately, the impact of this new knowledge is meant to lead to a more sustainable human society and we will particularly address the question how current and future soil ecologists may enhance their individual and collective impact. This is the theme for the 9th edition of the international PhD course on Soil Ecology.
Target group: The course is aimed at PhD candidates, postdocs, and other academics
Course duration: 5 days
Contact: PE&RC Office: office.pe@wur.nl
Registration of interest: You can register your interest HERE (note: this is not an official registration).
