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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · 4d

Soil is a complex three-phase system, comprised of solids, liquids, and gases. This area of soil science study is called soil physics. Learn about this important area of study in this new #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-xc

Pie chart showing soil is a three-phase system; solid, liquid and gas. The proportion of each phase may vary, but ideally, it consists of 50% solid, 25% liquid, and 25% gas. © Asim Biswas, Univ. of Guelph is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license. ALT a pie chart showing the % phase of soil as outlined in the caption.

Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · 11d

Learn about the soils of Ontario! The Wisconsinan #glaciation covered Ontario with ice thicknesses exceeding one kilometre. This glacial event deposited almost all the parent materials from which Ontario #soils have developed. #GroundedInSoils tells more: wp.me/pclOv9-c4

Soils of Ontario

All of Ontario was once covered by the Laurentide Ice sheet of the Wisconsinan glaciation. The glacier had ice thicknesses exceeding one kilometre. This glacial event is responsible for the deposit…

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · 17d

Keith Reid is a soil scientist working toward the sustainable management of soil resources. Learn about why he became a soil scientist and what he likes about soil in this new #GroundedInSoil blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-xL

Keith Reid giving a demonstration in a soil pit located in southern Ontario, discussing the impacts of the differences in properties in different soil horizons and the potential impacts on crop growth. Description: A man in a white hat and green shirt stands in a soil pit. He is holding some soil and speaking to an audience. A water bottle and tools are behind him.

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · 18d

No single measurement quantifies #soil health. Soil scientists infer the health of a soil from a multitude of soil attributes, processes, and contexts. Tend to the soils with care to ensure that soils’ role in providing #ecosystem services will continue. wp.me/pclOv9-bT

Schematic path of identifying a soil threat, measuring various soil health indicators, and implementing the 6Cs of soil health management that restore soil health and simultaneously enhance various ecosystem services. Adapted from the Soil Health Institute by Laura Van Eerd. © Soil Health Institute is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license.

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Sep 7

You may have heard that #soil can have salts in it. Does this mean table salt? Not really. There are many types of salts that build up in the soil – which can be a bad thing. Learn more about soil salinization in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-x5

White patches on top of reddish soil with dried grasses in the background

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Aug 24

Individuals can improve the organic matter of the soil in their own yard (or workplace!) by adapting the best practices of farmers. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wZ

Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Aug 17

Though we typically refer to Alberta, Saskatchewan, & Manitoba as the Prairie Provinces, the true #prairies generally occupy only their southern portions. Shown: Chernozemic & Luvisolic great groups found in the Prairie Provinces. Read about their interesting #soils here: wp.me/pclOv9-bJ

Examples of major soils of the Chernozemic and Luvisolic great groups found in the Prairie Provinces. Soils of the Chernozemic order have organically enriched A horizons (Ah) overlying decalcified and slightly reddened Bm horizons. The upper C horizon has concentrated secondary calcium carbonate (Cca) overlying largely unaltered parent material (Ck) with lower calcium carbonate contents. The Dark Gray Chernozem is transitional to the Gray Luvisolic soils and has an A horizon with both organic accumulation and bleaching (Ahe horizon). The forested Gray Luvisols have a leaf litter layer (LFH) on top of the mineral soil horizons. The uppermost bleached Ae horizon overlies a B horizon with higher clay levels than the Ae (Bt horizon). © “Brown, Dark Brown, Dark Gray Chernozem: Saskatchewan Center of Soil Research; Black Chernozem: Roly St. Arnaud (Saskatchewan Center of Soil Research); Dark Gray Luvisol: Kent Watson (Saskatchewan Center of Soil Research)” is licensed under a CC BY (Attribution) license.

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Aug 10

Most soils are composed of inorganic mineral materials comprising the overwhelming bulk of a soil. Well-structured soils are composed of about 50% solids; most of the solids are mineral materials. Learn more about soil mineralogy in this #GroundedInSoils blog: wp.me/pclOv9-bA

Minerals in the soil

Most soils are composed of inorganic mineral materials that comprise the overwhelming bulk of soil. Well-structured soils are composed of about 50% solids; most if the solid portion is mineral mate…

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Aug 2

Scientists are working with farmers and others to find ways to increase the soil organic matter on their farms. Leaving plant litter, reducing tillage, and using cover crops are a few methods being used. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wZ

Snow-covered former corn field. The lower part of the stalks - stubble - about 8 inches tall, is in rows sticking up from the snow.

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Jul 27

Soil organic matter is a complex mixture of plant, animal, or microbial-derived residues at various stages of decomposition. Plants and microbial communities are usually the biggest contributors to #soil organic matter. Learn more in this blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wQ

On the bottom edge of the photo, leaf litter on top of a compost pile. Mid-range, steam rising from the compost pile. Background, blurry trees

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Jul 6

What is soil organic matter? #Soil organic matter consists of both living and non-living organisms and their components. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wQ

Major sources of inputs that form soil organic matter. The types and quantities of inputs vary with different ecosystems and land management practices. © Myrna Simpson. Figure created with BioRender (www.biorender.com). ALT infographic showing the major sources of soil organic matter: leaves, needles and wood; bacteria & fungi; arthropods & earthworms; roots (coarse and fine)

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Reposted by Canadian Society of Soil Science

The Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative @thegsbi.bsky.social · Jun 30

📢The Global Soil Biodiversity Conference 2026 abstract submission deadline is coming up quickly 🐛🐜🕷️🦠🪱

Abstracts are due July 15th 23:59 PDT ‼️

Submit an abstract 👇

globalsoilbiodiversity2026.org/abstract/

@gsb2026.bsky.social

Call for Abstracts - Global Soil Biodiversity Conference 2026

Abstract Submissions NOW OPEN The Program Committee is proud to announce that the submission of abstracts for the 4th Global Soil Biodiversity Conference (GSB2026) is now open! Submission deadline is ...

globalsoilbiodiversity2026.org

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Jun 26

Charitha Hansima studied the environmental fate of veterinary antibiotics for her Masters degree. This work led her to the soil science community, and she started to see “the environment” through the lens of soil. Learn more: wp.me/pclOv9-xo

Lab equipment set up for testing. Several water bottles, a stainless bowl with a tube dripping into it and a basin below to collect overflow.

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Jun 19

How have humans influenced #soil development? Activities like agriculture and logging disrupted the natural processes of soil development that were in place before the settlers arrived in Canada. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wI

A large hill with a gully - hole - in the middle of it, where soil has eroded. On each side is green grassy material

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Jun 2

A research team at the Natural Resources CA, CAForest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, AB, recently published results of a study using native #wetland species to reclaim treated fluid fine tailings. Read more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-eQ

Image description: Graphic showing cylinders of soil with two types of tailings tested in a recent study. Each column shows: (1) the type of native plant community tested (woody fen or graminoid fen on right, graminoid fen on left), (2) the capping material (peat mineral mix or a mixture of peat mineral mix and till), and (3) depth used for the tailings tested in the study (ranging from 0cm to 85cm). Infographic by Fuse Consulting LTD.

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · May 29

Early bird registration prices end this Saturday, May 31st! Make sure to register to get your discount! "Soils for our Future - A Gathering of Global to Local Perspectives" will be held in Winnipeg, Canada, from July 20-25, 2025.

Sign up for amazing tours and workshops!

soilsforourfuture.ca

Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · May 27

Soil surveys help understand the history and classification of soils in a specific area. #Soil scientists then create soil maps with this information to help in land use planning. Learn more in today’s blog: wp.me/pclOv9-aJ

What are soil surveys?

Canada is endowed with vast amounts of agricultural land. Soil scientists determined this by doing soil surveys, starting in 1914. Today we know that worldwide, Canada has the third largest area of…

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · May 18

Charitha Hansima is earning her PhD in soil science at the University of Manitoba. Her research is especially relevant for Prairie agroecosystems, where sustainable management of soils is key. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-xo

Person with shoulder length dark hair wearing a jacket, pants and boots, stands in a field. A blue sky is next to them.

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · May 17

In this #GroundedInSoils blog, we begin exploring biomes of Canada with #forest soils. Depending on the parent material, climate and more, #soils can be rich in organic matter and nutrients, or acidic with fewer #nutrients. Read more: wp.me/pclOv9-ax

What distinguishes forest soils?

You may recall from this blog post that soil scientists study soil horizons by digging holes called soil pits. They then classify the soil in a particular area by “soil orders.” Forested soils in C…

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · May 14

We're fans of #fungi! Mycorrhizal mycelial networks in #soils can be pervasive and connect roots from multiple plants. They can facilitate energy and nutrient flow between them. A soil internet of sorts! Read more: wp.me/pclOv9-a8

Do fungi live in soil?

Fungi are an important part of the soil biome. They are an important part of the nutrient cycle and soil health. Some fungi are single-celled yeasts. Others form multicellular networks that can inc…

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · May 4

Soils are now recognized as the most biodiverse habitat on Earth. Some biota in the soil can be seen, like ants and earthworms. Others can only be seen using a microscope. Learn more in this GroundedInSoils blog: bit.ly/3gzuiuH

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Apr 30

Transformations of mineral and organic materials within the soil are very important for both soil creation and for plant nutrition. This is an important step in soil health. Learn more about soil formation in this blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wdR

Large rock with thick moss growing on it

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Apr 22

Happy Earth Day! The 4R nutrient stewardship approach is a decision-making framework that guides farms in selecting the four ‘right’ actions related to fertilizer use. 4R optimizes nutrient acquisition by the crop. Read more: wp.me/pclOv9-9V

Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Apr 6

Soil formation begins when exposed sediments or rocks are acted upon by various physical, chemical, and biological processes. They fall into 4 major groups: additions, losses, transfers, & transformations. Learn more in this #GroundedInSoils blog post: wp.me/pclOv9-wd

What processes form soil?

4-minute reading time You might be surprised to learn that soil is a dynamic material. It’s constantly changing, though slowly and mostly unseen. An exception is the case of erosion. For example, w…

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Canadian Society of Soil Science @cssssoils.bsky.social · Apr 3

Congratulations to Charitha Hansima, U of Manitoba, who earned the Steve Pawluk Scholarship Award! Charitha is a PhD candidate with Dr Inoka Amarakoon investigating soil-based carbon sequestration mechanisms in Canadian Prairie agroecosystems.

Photo of woman in lab coat sitting on a stool in front of a lab bench.