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Future Challenges for Soil Science Research, Education, and Soil Survey in the USA

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The Soils of the USA

Part of the book series: World Soils Book Series ((WSBS))

Abstract

Soils across the USA are under extensive pressure to support the needs of society under an uncertain climate future. While our management of soils is far better than 100 years ago, chronic erosion in excess of soil building is common and human behavior frequently results in soil degradation. At odds with a need for improved soil management is a two-decade trend in the closure or downsizing of soil science academic programs and federal soil scientist positions, all of which threaten our capability to manage soils. Regardless, soil scientists must lead efforts to greatly minimize land degradation (especially erosion) and reshape American agriculture to adapt to climate change so that we secure current achievements in land management, food supply, and quality of life. New models of soil science education and training must be embraced in order to maintain and build the profession. An extensive and ubiquitous public education effort, much greater than that which ended the “Dust Bowl,” is needed to help correct harmful human behavior resulting in unsustainable soil use and degradation of ecosystem services. These are the achievements that must be realized during the next 50 years of soil science.

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  1. Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA

    Patrick J. Drohan

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  1. Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

    L.T. West

  2. Davis, California, USA

    M.J. Singer

  3. University of Wisconsin – Madison , Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    A.E. Hartemink

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Drohan, P.J. (2017). Future Challenges for Soil Science Research, Education, and Soil Survey in the USA. In: West, L., Singer, M., Hartemink, A. (eds) The Soils of the USA. World Soils Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41870-4_19

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