Understanding soil functions
Understanding soil quality and functions in the Northern Netherlands and Northwestern Germany
Soils are the foundation of every food supply chain. Soils perform a wide range of functions necessary to sustain life, including supporting agriculture, maintaining biodiversity and regulating water bodies. A common denominator for healthy soils and their multifunctionality is the soil microbiome, which is malleable and influenced by agricultural management. A healthy soil microbiome can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, improve the quality of soil, water and food, and increase resilience to climate change. The project aims to enhance soil functions for better soil health and water quality by focusing on managing the soil microbiome and soil physico-chemical properties through the application and ideation of new renewable engineered amendments. Targeted management to harness effective soil functions contributes to a future-proof agricultural sector.
Research challenges
Agriculture is one of the most important economic activities in the Interreg region of Northern Netherlands and Northwestern Germany. Agricultural soils provide a wide variety of functions, such as the supply of food and biomass, the circulation of nutrients, the regulation of water, and the control of pollutants and pathogens. There is a considerable lack of knowledge about how the interaction between agricultural management, water quality, soil biodiversity, and the chemical and physical properties of soil shapes soil functionality. The project will benchmark and integrate the different functions of soils and water bodies in the target regions and evaluate the relationships between the physico-chemical and biological indicators of soil and water. The project will renew the understanding of soil functioning by carrying out sampling campaigns in the most representative soil types and associated water bodies in the target regions.
Your assignment
You will investigate the desired functions of soils in the Northern Netherlands and Northwestern Germany, where agriculture is one of the most important economic activities. These functions include the supply of food and biomass, nutrient cycling, water regulation, and the control of pollutants and pathogens. You will analyse how interactions between agricultural management, water quality, soil biodiversity, and the chemical and physical properties of soils influence the delivery of these functions. You will benchmark the performance of soils and water bodies with respect to the desired functions, and you will evaluate the relationships between physico-chemical and biological indicators and agricultural management. To achieve this multidisciplinary and ambitious goal, you will carry out sampling campaigns in representative soil types and associated water bodies, and you will use the data to develop improved approaches for assessing soil functionality. You will closely collaborate with other researchers that work on the same project, with farmers, related organizations and companies.
Your profile
You have a master’s degree in soil sciences, (soil) biology, agricultural sciences or equivalent and have experience with soil sampling, data analysis and enjoy field work. You are an independent, motivated student with an affinity for multidisciplinary and impact-driven research. You like working in a dynamic environment, are a team player and like to collaborate with stakeholders such as farmers, and farmer organizations. Being in possession of a driver’s license and ability to communicate in Dutch and/or German are a plus.
Keywords: Soil analyses; field work; soil functions; agriculture; benchmarking; soil biology
Professor/University group/Wetsus supervisor(s): University promotor and co-promotor: Prof. Dr. Martijn Bezemer; Wetsus supervisor(s): Dr. Ángel Velasco Sánchez, Dr. Inez Dinkla
Project partners: Soil
Only applications that are complete, in English, and submitted via the application webpage before the deadline will be considered eligible.
Guidelines for applicants: https://phdpositionswetsus.eu/guide-for-applicants/
