This webinar is organised in partnership with BSSS Corporate Member, the Ecological Continuity Trust (ECT) and you will hear more about their work from their Executive Director, Ben Sykes.
REGISTER HERE: BSSS Zoom into Soil Webinar: Using Long-term Experiments (LTEs)
The webinar includes one hour BASIS and NRoSO CPD points.
We look forward to welcoming you on the webinar.
Soil Ecology in Practice is the first conference from the newly formed Soil Ecology Special Interest Group at the British Ecological Society. The aim of the conference is to connect policy and practice with cutting-edge soil ecology research, placing the practitioner at the heart of the focus. The overarching question that the conference will address is: How can we use our knowledge and networks to deliver on the major needs of soil ecology policy and practice in the next 3-5 years?
Program highlights
Keynote speakers: Kate Hanley, Roy Neilson and Nikki Baggaley will be sharing insights on the three session themes:
· Interactive workshops: delegates will have the choice to join one of two interactive workshops created in partnership with Journal of Applied Ecology. One track will focus on Policy-Driven Impact when working with senior academics to tackle urgent, real-world questions and another on sharpening your scientific toolkit with sessions designed to advance your career in Professional Skill-Building.
. Optional field trip Field trip to Dumyat hill, in the Ochil hill range, where we will enjoy a hike together to the two summits. We will be joined by local experts who will show us the local fungi and have a chance to discuss the local tree planting schemes. At the summit there will be a chance to picnic and enjoy the views across the Firth of Forth, before heading back to Stirling.
Important: Abstract submission closes on June 30.
The main goal of the conference is to connect those working in policy, or directly with practitioners, with soil ecology researchers. The conference is for everyone who has an interest in impactful soil ecology research, whether that is fundamental or applied research. We especially encourage early career researchers and those from less represented backgrounds to attend.
Soil Ecology in Practice - British Ecological Society
An Introduction to Soil Classification
[Online Course]
This online course is held over two days. It is aimed at researchers and others who want to gain a perspective of how their local field experimental sites and their results fit into the current picture of soil variation at UK and, in particular global scales. It includes introductory, technical and practical on-line sessions.
It is suggested that all delegates who wish to attend the course should be well versed in soil profile description , e.g. using the Soil Survey Field Handbook or have attended the BSSS ‘Practical introduction to soils in Great Britain’ training course.
Delegates will receive a comprehensive course manual detailing the techniques for classifying soil types using a global classification system, copies of the Soil Survey Field Manual, and The Fragile Skin: Soil Landscapes of the UK, a X10 hand lens for magnifying soil features and soil classification recording cards for your future use.
The course is designed to give delegates:
1. An understanding of the strengths and weakness of soil classification and why it is linked to soil mapping.
2. An understanding of the structure of different classifications used in the UK and why the differ.
3. An understanding of the two systems used at the global level and why the FAO / IUSS World Reference Base (WRB) is most appropriate to correlate soils at the global level.
4. The ability and tools to identify the local WRB soil type in the field.
5. Knowledge of the different abilities of WRB UK soil types to support beneficial soil functions.
It will provide the sound foundation you need to place the information gained from your local field studies or trials in their national and global contexts.
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If you have booked but would like to cancel for whatever reason, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.
Soils in habitat creation, restoration and translocation to rebuild nature
[Cranfield University]
This new two-day course helps address a recognised national skills gap in soil habitat creation, translocation, and long term biodiversity improvement.
Developed with industry experts, participants will gain a better understanding of how to deliver high quality soil habitat relocation and meet the evolving requirements of biodiversity improvement across the UK. Participants will also develop their knowledge of soil surveys, habitat assessment, management planning, on site delivery and long term monitoring.
The course is designed for practitioners such as soil scientists, ecologists, planners and landscape architects, and more broadly those working within local authorities, environmental NGOs and infrastructure project teams.
To get the most from this course you should have as a minimum a broad understanding of soil properties, how soil characteristics are described and the importance of soils in relation to ecosystem services.
Key topics covered:
Learning Objectives:
Food and drink will be provided. (Please specify any dietary requirements under the relevant section in the registration form.)
A Practical Introduction to the Role of Soils in Catchment Management
This hands-on, two-day course is designed to fill key knowledge and skills gaps in the application of soil science for improving water quality and quantity outcomes.
Through a mix of presentations, fieldwork, and guided practice, participants will learn to move beyond problem diagnosis and towards practical, field-ready solutions that support landowners and farmers in implementing effective soil and water management strategies.
You will be given a comprehensive course manual that details description techniques, copies of the Soil Survey Field Manual, a X10 hand lens for magnifying soil features and soil recording cards for you to use into the future.
What You Will Learn
By the End of This Course, You Will Be Able To:
Introduction to Agricultural Land Classification (ALC)
[Wednesday 11 - Thursday 12 November, Cranfield University] [This is a 2-day, in-person training course.]
Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) has a formal role in the planning system in England and Wales and is designed to prevent the loss of our best and most versatile land in line with the principles of sustainable development.
This training course, designed and presented by agricultural land classification (ALC) experts, offers a unique opportunity to learn about the background and technical basis of the current ALC guidelines.
By the end of the course you will learn:
The course will include the opportunity to work within a group to undertake an ALC grading desk exercise to apply what you have learned. This course is designed for soil scientists who wish to extend their experience to (or refresh an existing awareness of) Agricultural Land Classification, those commissioning ALC surveys from specialists, and planners reviewing ALC reports.
Delegates are expected to have a level of competency with regards to soil sampling and classification; and these are topics which are covered on our practical Working with Soil training courses.
Food and drink will be provided.