Dear Louadj,

The role and status of soil science as a discipline is currently a substantial consideration. There are perhaps reasons for concern; the number of students entering research based university programs is declining in many areas. Subjects that require knowledge of soils in various environmental sciences and tasks are being addressed by other than soil scientists. A sign of a negative spiral has surfaced in universities, a dwindling number of students with a decreasing number of soil science faculties. The soil environment is arguably the most complex biological community because of the extremely high diversity at small scales and a chemical environment of complex and changing gradients housed in a heterogeneous physical environment. Some basic important facts regarding the complexity of soil communities are presented

There has been renewed interest in soil and soil science in recent years as the recognition that biogeochemical processes that occur at the Earth's surface influence global climate change, land degradation and remediation, the fate and transport of nutrients and contaminants, soil and water conservation, soil and water quality, food sufficiency and safety, and many other issues pertinent to the stewardship and conservation of land and water resources. In some areas of the Earth we have approached near irreversible soil conditions that may threaten the existence of future generations. Understanding the long-term implications of decreased soil quality and addressing the aforementioned challenges will require new information based on advances and breakthroughs in soil science research that need to be effectively communicated to stakeholders, policy makers, and the general public.

OVERARCHING CHALLENGES FOR SOIL SCIENCE RESEARCH

1.      Placing a value on the soil resource

2.       Integrating research across different spatial and temporal scales.

RESEARCH NEEDS 

1.      Ecosystem Functioning.

2.      Role of Soils in Human Health

3.      Transport Processes

4.      Plant-Soil-Microbial Interface

5.      Coupled Reaction Processes in Soil

6.      Data Acquisition and Synthesis

 Regards,

Prem Baboo

I study ecological stoichiometry and nutrients cycling in land ecosystems. Soil is of great interest for me. However tomography is not my thing... Good luck, Louadj!

Mr. Yacine ,Please go through the researchgate link.

http://www.researchgate.net/post/What_are_the_Challenges_and_priorities_with_in_ basic_soil_science_research