- Author: Ben Faber
Soil Biodiversity in California Agriculture: Framework
and Indicators for Soil Health Assessment
Prepared by: California Department of Food and Agriculture Below Ground Biodiversity Advisory Committee
Soil health depends on soil biodiversity.
However, external pressures from land-use change, climate change and certain agricultural practices threaten the biotic networks that underpin the delivery of soil's many ecosystem services. Yet measuring soil biodiversity is a complex task, with a wide variety of possible indicators, and methodologies that are evolving with recent technological advances. This report, prepared by the Belowground Biodiversity Advisory Committee (BBAC) convened by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), focuses on how best to assess soil biodiversity in the context of working lands and considers current and future challenges faced by California agricultural producers, policy makers, governing agencies, and related stakeholders. The report presents information on the taxonomic and functional diversity of soil organisms, ecosystem services they provide, threats to soil biodiversity, assessment frameworks, and biodiversity indicators. Examples of how biodiversity indicators can be applied to specific use cases provide insights for soil health, sustainable and climate-smart agriculture, and biodiversity conservation in California.
Soil biodiversity is the interconnected ‘social' network of numerous species of living organisms that contribute to soil functioning. As these organisms grow, die, and interact with soil's abiotic components, they perform essential functions in carbon, water and nutrient cycling and plant growth, collectively described as multifunctionality, benefiting ecosystems and humans alike. Comprehensive assessment of soil biodiversity involves measurements of organism abundance, identity, and functional diversity or traits, ideally in tandem with measurements of soil processes, as well as interactions among organisms. Soil biodiversity and soil processes vary in space and time due to factors like location, climate, vegetation, and land management practices across California's diverse landscapes.
Soils are incredibly biodiverse habitats, containing a vast array of organisms ranging from macroscopic organisms like gophers to microscopic worms, fungi, and billions of bacterial cells. The physical and chemical properties of soils – soil texture, pH, water and oxygen content, salinity, organic matter inputs, and nutrients – determine the types of organisms found in a particular habitat. The array of organisms inhabiting soil spans over six orders of magnitude in size, and includes microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, archaea, and fungi); microfauna (protists, nematodes, and tardigrades); mesofauna (mites and springtails); and macrofauna (earthworms). Life in soil exists in ecological communities that are complex and interconnected. These interconnections provide stability to soil functions. Soil organisms are critical to regulation of greenhouse gases, both by consuming and producing gases such as nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. Mycorrhizal fungi in symbiosis with most plant species promotes root growth and availability of water and nutrients. A broad range of soil organisms mediate the decomposition of organic inputs and enhance nutrient cycling. Other functions of biodiverse soils include soil structure formation, organic matter formation, carbon storage, water regulation, and pathogen suppression. But despite these critically important functions, the diversity and complexity of soil biodiversity makes it challenging to decipher these intricate relationships and understand the impact of human activities.
Soil biodiversity faces many of the major threats from human activities and global change that also impact soil health and sustainability of California's agroecosystems. Land use changes, intensive agriculture, climate change, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation, and loss of habitat connectivity all pose risks. These threats disrupt soil biological networks, reduce biodiversity, impair ecosystem functions, and degrade soil structure and fertility. Soil biodiversity loss reduces multifunctionality and the provision of ecosystem services, highlighting the need to recognize the value of belowground communities to overcome challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and overall biodiversity loss. Addressing these challenges through sustainable land management, agroecological approaches, and awareness campaigns is crucial for preserving belowground biodiversity to maintain provision of essential ecosystem services.
READ ALL ABOUT SOIL DIVERSITY in the Report:
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/biodiversity/docs/Soil_Biodiversity_California_Ag_July_2023.pdf
![soil food web image soil food web image](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Topics/blogfiles/105737.jpg)
- Author: Ben Faber
Join the discussion July 23
About this Event
Three part webinar lecture series, staring speakers in industry, government, and the university system; covering the following soil health topics:
soil organic matter – interpreting soil test results – structure & function of plant roots – Mycorrhizae 101 – compost & cover crops – microalgae – biochar – FDA soil health perspectives – conservation tillage – organic production – pesticide effects – soil borne pathogens – ag engineering pest control.
PCA, CCA, and Pest Control continuing education credits requested for AZ, CA, NM, and NV.
More details to come on the CEU process.
Zoom webinar link will be posted soon,
Module 1: Defining Soil Health
8:00am - 10:30am
Geoff Koch
Soil Science PHD Student: UC Davis
Defining Soil Health in the American Southwest
Dr. Joey Blankinship
Soil Science Professor: University of Arizona
Soil Organic Matter in Desert Agriculture
Sherri McLane
IAS Laboratories
Interpreting Soil Test Results
Dr. Glenn Wright
Extension Horticulturalist: University of Arizona
Structure and Function of Plant Roots
Scott Inman
Director of R&D: Mycorrhizal Applications LLC
Mycorrhizae 101
Module 2: Practices to Improve Soil Health
10:30am - 3:00pm
Dr. David Johnson
Adjunct Professor: New Mexico State University
Composting and Cover Crops
Dr. Kristine Nichols
Research Director: MyLand Company
The Role of Microalgae in Soil Health
Dr. Catherine Brewer
Assistant Professor: New Mexico State University
Biochar Production and Application Methods
Dr. Ataullah Khan
Senior Research Scientist: InnoTech Alberta
Biochar Application Development
Tim Lichatowich
Consultant: BioAg Product Strategies
Alternative Soil Amendments for Soil Restoration and Sustainability
Dr. David Ingram
Consumer Safety Officer: FDA-CFSAN Produce Safety Staff
FDA Perspectives on Soil Health
Dr. Michele Jay-Russell
Project Director: UC Davis Western Center for Food Safety
Organic Production Soil Health Considerations
Dr. Jeff Mitchell
Cropping Systems Specialist: UC Davis
Conservation Tillage in Vegetable Cropping Systems
Sharma Torrens
Conservation Education Director, AZ Association of Conservation Districts (AACD)
Funding for Soil Health Programs
Module 3: Soil Pest Control
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Dr. John Palumbo
Extension Entomologist: University of Arizona
Soil Applied Insecticides
Barry Tickes
Extension Weed Scientist: University of Arizona
Persistence of Herbicides in the Soils of the Low Desert
Dr. Stephanie Slinski
Associate Director: Yuma Center for Excellence in Desert Agriculture
Soil Borne Pathogens
Dr. Channah Rock
Extension Water Quality Specialist: University of Arizona
Water Treatment Effects of Soil Borne Pathogens
Dr. Mark Siemens
Extension Ag Engineer: University of Arizona
Point Injection Systems – Fertilizer/Pesticide Application with Minimal Soil Disturbance
![root system in the soil root system in the soil](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Topics/blogfiles/71756.jpg)
- Author: Ben Faber
California agricultural employers, workers approach smoke concerns differently
UC Davis examines health and safety awareness around mounting threat
University of California - Davis
In 2018, California wildfires burned more than 1.8 million acres and caused smoke to drift hundreds of miles. As the frequency and intensity of wildfires increases with climate change, California agricultural workers are at greater risk of smoke exposure as they often have no option but to work outdoors.
A new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, finds that while wildfires and smoke exposure are recognized by farmworkers and employers as a growing threat and safety concern, the means to address these concerns differs between the two groups.
"What stood out in this study is the substantial disparities between agricultural employers and farmworkers," said Heather Riden with the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at UC Davis.
Riden, who led the research in partnership with the California Institute for Rural Studies, said that while growers and employers expressed concern about poor air quality at the time of the study in 2018, many had no clear plans or protocols for measuring air quality or managing workers in such conditions. While the public is advised to stay indoors due to poor air quality during a wildfire, agricultural work often continues.
The study also found that when farmworkers were offered protective masks, many found them difficult to use while working due to heat-related discomfort and chafing. Others believed wearing two bandanas over the mouth and nose would provide just as much protection.
Farmworkers' experience is compounded by economic need.
"Many farmworkers will continue working, even in unsafe conditions, to support their families. They don't have many other options," said Riden.
NEW REGULATIONS
Last year, the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, enacted an emergency regulation requiring employers to take measures to protect workers from wildfire smoke when the Air Quality Index reaches 151 or greater, which is considered unhealthy. Riden said as CAL/OSHA begins to craft permanent regulations, she hopes it takes the study's findings into consideration.
"This highlights the need for better awareness for both agricultural employers and farmworkers about the health risks associated with wildfire smoke," said Riden. "Employers also need training materials and concrete steps they can take to protect workers."
To assist agricultural employers with meeting the requirements outlined in the newly adopted regulation, the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety developed training materials and an employer checklist.
###
The study was based on interviews and focus groups with California agricultural employers and workers in the Salinas, San Joaquin and Imperial valleys. Support for the study came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
For the complete article and amazing pictures check out: https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/california-agricultural-employers-workers-approach-smoke-concerns-differently
Media Contact
Amy Quinton
amquinton@ucdavis.edu
530-752-9843
@ucdavisnews
This content was developed by the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at UC Davis. For more information and to access their wildfire training materials, visit their wildfire training page: https://aghealth.ucdavis.edu/wildfires
![fire hillside fire hillside](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Topics/blogfiles/65855.jpg)
- Author: Ben Faber
A recent website just posted hopes to make research papers available to the general public. Many times these papers are locked away in archives or libraries and are hard to access. This website wants to change that. It is sponsored by various group0s, including USDA, University of Missouri, industry, Resource Conservative Districts and other entitites. It's a small data base at this point, but hopes to build over time. check it out:
http://soilhealthinstitute.org/about-us/
There's a lot of distracting stuff at the site, but the guts are at
http://www.soilhealthinstituteresearch.org/Home/Search
Other good ag websites are the USDA's National Ag Library:
USDA's Agricola
https://agricola-nal-usda-gov.ezproxy.lib.vt.edu/
USDA's ATTRA which is loaded with basic and detailed farming information:
USDA's Farming Information Center
https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic
It's a new year, READ ON!!!!
![soil soil](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Topics/blogfiles/40930.jpg)
- Author: Ben Faber
When reviewing possible problems your citrus might have, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that it is a virus. That's because viruses are a major problem around the world in citrus and the effects can be slow, chronic and debilitating or fast and deadly. Images get posted on the web, and if those symptoms look like something your tree has, then by golly you have a virus. Well, actually viruses are everywhere and in most plants, so you probably do have a virus or viruses, but not plant debilitating one. California, has had a pretty thorough nursery inspection procedure in place for many years and the likelihood of a virus causing a problem is less likely here than in many parts of the world.
In most cases viruses are difficult to eradicate in practice, so it is best to remove them before they get out in the field. The Citrus Clonal Protection Program (http://www.ccnb.info/page.php?s=2&c=3) weeds out citrus viruses before they get to wholesale nurseries and into the trade. That does not mean that we don‘t have debilitating viruses in the California industry. We do. Tristeza is in some of our orange orchards and that can lead to significant yield reductions and tree death (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r107101311.html.). Tristeza is spread by the melon aphid and is hard to control without good control of the aphid. In many older orchards there is exocortis and psorosis http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r107100100.html; http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r107100511.html). These are graft transmissible and why it is not good, in fact unlawful, to propagate trees with uncertified budwood.
In most cases in California if you are having symptoms of unhealthy in your trees it's most likely due to an irrigation problem (too much, too little, poor timing), a nutrient deficiency and possibly a fungal disease (most likely a root one such as armillaria or Phytophthora). Or in this day, it could be the start of Huanglongbing vectored by Asian Citrus Psyllid (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r107304411.html). Before jumping to the conclusion that there is a virus in your trees. Check out the most common problems for California citrus first (http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/C107/m107bpleaftwigdis.html). There are enough of those anyway.
Boron toxicity
![boron toxicity citrus 1 boron toxicity citrus 1](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/Topics/blogfiles/31862.jpg)