Soil and Water Conservation: Our History and Future Challenges

• Published in: Soil Science Society of America journal Vol. 78; no. 5; pp. 1493 - 1499
• Main Authors: Karlen, Douglas L, Peterson, Gary A, Westfall, Dwayne G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison The Soil Science Society of America, Inc 01.09.2014; American Society of Agronomy
• Subjects: Climate change; Cropping systems; Field study; Food; funding; Landscape; Natural resources; Public access; Raw materials; research management; Research programs; roots; Scientists; Soil conservation; Soil erosion; Soil management; Soil sciences; soil water; Water conservation; Water management; Great Plains region; United States
• ISSN: 0361-5995; 1435-0661
• DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2014.03.0110

Remembering our past is an essential first step into the future. Building on that philosophy, we summarize two presentations from a 2012 Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) symposium focused on soil management challenges in response to climate change to examine: (i) how the Soil and Water Management and Conservation Division evolved, (ii) how soil management research approaches have changed since the division was founded, and (iii) how division scientists are helping an increasing global population respond to a dynamic and changing climate. Our division roots and much of soil science in general were literally and figuratively grounded in field research. Here, we examine the transition from field-scale observational to reductionist research approaches, discuss why the latter approach is inadequate for addressing landscape-scale, cropping system response to climate change, and suggest an alternative soil management research approach for our future. The evolution, challenges, and success of a four-factor landscape-scale cropping system study in the U.S. Great Plains is used to illustrate the proposed approach. Recent developments in research programs that promote a more comprehensive systems approach are also provided. We conclude with optimism that by identifying new funding priorities and approaches, SSSA scientists and engi neers will be able to help solve several complex and wicked 21st century natural resource problems associated with a dynamic and changing climate and a population of more than nine billion people.