Soil Health: Sustainable management of rhizosphere resources in Sweden and Chile
Research Theme Summary
The research theme builds upon a Sweden-Chile collaboration, led by Drs. Erick Zagal and Salme Timmusk on Chile’s unique geoclimatic gradient. The workshop brought together 14 participants from diverse disciplines, ranging from soil sciences, health sciences, analytical chemists to industry representatives. Sustaining soil biodiversity, and productivity are critical components of healthy ecosystems and sustainable agriculture/living. As drought events escalate along with emerging and primary contaminant pollution, soil stress is becoming more and more frequent. We must communicate that these types of stress situations disrupt the balance of soil microorganisms, reduce fertility and pose risks to food safety and human health. Development of the potential of innovative technologies for soil restoration, soil health, along with popularisation of sustainable lifestyle in schools were considered.
Soil degradation is one of the biggest global challenges under climate change. Biodiversity loss, soil erosion and accumulation of emerging (e.g. PFAS, microplastics) and primary contaminants affect human, animal, plant and soil health, often denoted as One Health. This occurs directly via the water and food supply, and indirectly e.g. via recreational activities, as well as via climate regulation. The knowledge created from the native and wild environments will be used for developing technologies to mediate drought and pollution stress, as well as for educational activities.
PIs
Erick Zagal Venegas, Universidad de Concepción
Jonas Begquist, Uppsala University
Participants
Salme Timmusk, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Erik Ribeli, Liljemark AG
María Cristina Muñoz Vargas, Universidad de Concepción
Mauricio Schoebitz Cid, Universidad de Concepción
Juan Pablo Fuentes Espoz, University of Chile
Jonathan Suazo Hernández, Universidad de Las Américas
Erik Karlsson, Lund University
Kumari Ubhayasekera, Uppsala University
Liudmyla Tsiukalo, Uppsala University
Carolina Grace Ojeda Leal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Lawrence Behers, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
María de los Ángeles Sepúlveda, Universidad de Concepción
Outcomes
The workshop resulted in three concrete and complementary outcomes. First, the One Health–Soil Health Education Book for Children is planned, targeting children aged 8–12. The book will be developed in Spanish, English, and Swedish, and will include the creation of a mascot as well as capacity-building activities for teachers.
Second, two scientific articles are planned: Soil Health and One Health Implications in the Anthropocene (perspective) and Traditional and Emerging Pollutants in Chilean Environmental Systems: Distribution, Impacts and Management (review).
Third, the team defined a joint funding strategy to support mobility opportunities for researchers and students, fostering both research on technology development and academic exchange. These proposals build upon the former research on the geoclimatic gradient microbiome as well as on other scientifically well described contrasting wild environment microbiome potential.