Module 4
Module 4: Landscape Function and Soil Health
Module 4 Session Recording
Module 4 Resources
Pasture age impacts soil fungal composition while bacteria respond to soil chemistry
Research article demonstrating how soil microbial communities and the ecosystem services they provide vary according to how land is managed.
Light Farming: Restoring carbon, organic nitrogen and biodiversity to agricultural soils
Excellent article by Dr. Chrisitine Jones – explores how the plant/microbe bridge and biodiversity provide ecosystem and human health benefits.
The role of mycorrhizal mycelium in controlling plant communities and agroecosystem functioning
In depth article exploring how mycelial networks increase nutrient uptake, reduce pathogens, increase soil aggregate stability and physical soil properties.
Australian Farm Biodiverstity Certification Standard
Document from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water – detailing policies and procedures for a farming enterprise to achieve the Australian Farm Biodiversity Ceertification
Bacteria, Fungi and Soil Health
Video featuring Nicole Masters thoroughly dissecting the role of micro-organisms in soils.
Fungi and Bacteria Takeaways - Plant succession
Video featuring Nicole Masters – summary of the role of micro-organisms in the soil, as well as an excellent description of conditions determining plant succession.
The Forgotten Kingdom - Part 1 - Introducing Fungi
Video by Local Land Services NSW featuring Alison Pouliot – great introductory video on Fungi.
The Forgotten Kingdom - Part 3 - Symbiosis
Video by Local Land Services NSW featuring Alison Pouliot – great awesome video on the relationship between fungi and plants.
The Forgotten Kingdom - Part 4 - Fungi on the Farm
Video by Local Land Services NSW featuring Alison Pouliot – explores how European farming techniques have not help our farmscapes, and how this can be reversed with fungi.
Soil Food Web properties explain Ecosystem services across European land use systems
Research article demonstrates a positive correlation between intensity of land use and reduction of soil food web organisms.
Soil Building – How to Make Deep Rich Soils by Imitating Nature
Great website on using ecological succession to build soil.
Grazing Cover Crops on a Vegetable Farm - Practical Cover Croppers
Video – Case study of smaller scale vegetable cropping – how cover cropping and animals are used before planting, and how this biodiversity benefits upcoming planting.
Communities in Landscapes project: Benchmark Study of Innovators
Scientific paper comparing “innovators” to conventional farming techniques, and comparing landscape function between the two.
CSIRO Landscape Function Analysis: Procedures for Monitoring and Assessing Landscapes
Technical manual by CSIRO for purpose of assessing health of landscapes.
Soil Biology
Article by NSW Govt. Local Land services – outlines members of the soil food web and roles they play within soil.
Save our soils: Why dirt matters
Article by By Dr Ee Ling Ng and Professor Deli Chen, University of Melbourne, outlining the value of our soil in maintaining human health.
Nutrient Cycling
Video by Dr. Elaine’s Soil Food Web School – excellent animation of how plant available nutrients are cycled in the biosphere.
Soil health and nutrient density: preliminary comparison of regenerative and conventional farming
American study drawing comparisons of the nutrient density of food grown in a conventional system versus a regenerative system. It was found that regenerative systems enhanced both soil organic matter and nutrient density of food.
Dirt Is Not Dead: How Land Use Affects the Living Soil
Great article by Frontiers for Young Minds – compares different land use methods and the associated impact of soil life and the ecosystem services they provide
Soil Management Guides
DPI NSW website – useful tabs under the heading “What are some of the soils issues facing NSW?”
Root exudates as mediators of mineral acquisition in low-nutrient environments
Scientific paper highlighting the role root exudates play in the mineral nutrition of plants.
Unlock the secrets in the Soil
Article by Dr. Christine Jones on the link between cover crops, microbial diversity, soil moisture and nutrient cycling
Farming with Soil Life: A handbook for supporting soil invertebrates and soil health on farms
Excellent resource on physical attributes of soil, the role of microfauna, effects of conventional agriculture, and how to support soil health
Soils Alive! Understanding and Managing Soil Biology on Tasmanian Farms
Very Useful Handbook by Dept of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment in Tasmania – covers the importance of soil ecosystems, and how to manage them for health
Other modules
Explore the other five modules that make up the Regenerative Agriculture Professional Learning site. Each module folder contains a recording of the professional learning presentations along with associated resources including websites, factsheets, case studies and activities.
Further Information
If you have any questions about the program contact our team here.
