Avoiding fires in Indonesia’s peatlands should be a common goal of everyone involved. Antara Foto/Jessica Helena Wuysang/ via REUTERS

People, palm oil, pulp and planet: four perspectives on Indonesia’s fire‑stricken peatlands

Indonesian peatlands are important to many people: farmers, bureaucrats, businesspeople, and conservationists. But preserving this value for everyone will mean listening to everyone’s concerns.
Traditional taro pits can be used to grow nutritious vegetables for the entire household. Graham Lyons

How food gardens based on traditional practice can improve health in the Pacific

We set out to discover whether it’s possible to reduce the alarming rates of non-communicable diseases in Pacific nations while improving nutrition security and income.
Our food system depends on nitrogen fertilisers. Nitrogen image from www.shutterstock.com

Nitrogen pollution: the forgotten element of climate change

Somehow we need to grow more food to feed an expanding population while minimising the problems associated with nitrogen fertiliser use.
Tiny, but they make a big difference: nanoparticles build up in the environment in all kinds of ways. victorpuntes/Flickr

Manufactured nanomaterials are a big deal in the environment

Major advances in technology are being spawned by the synthesis and application of nanoparticles and nanocomposites. The nanotechnology revolution offers great promise for major advances in medicine, manufacturing…
We need to get our hands dirty and have a look at our soils. Flickr/JerseyRed

A more sustainable Australia: we need to talk about our soils

**A more sustainable Australia* As the 2013 election campaign continues, we’ve asked academics to look at some of the long-term issues affecting Australia – the issues that will shape our future.* Our…
Durum wheat has Middle Eastern parents and Italian progeny, but grows best on Australian soil. Mikko Kuhna

The good earth: Clare Hypercalcic Calcarosol and durum wheat

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis has profiled some of those soils and the flavours…
Nutty, comforting, wintery parsnips: good luck growing them without a Tenosol. di.wineanddine/Flickr

The good earth: Boneo Leptic Tenosol and parsnips

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis profiles some of those soils and the flavours they…
Love your gingerbread? Thank your Red Ferrosols. Flickr/sheilaz413

The good earth: Buderim Red Ferrosol and ginger

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis profiles some of those soils and the flavours they…
Soil represents one of the world’s largest carbon stocks. J.Kelley/http://SoilScience.info

Deep soils store up to five times more carbon than first thought: study

Deep soils store up to five times more carbon than is commonly reported, a new study by Murdoch University and Cranfield University in the UK has found. Soil locks in greenhouse gases by storing carbon…
Soil makes pasture, pasture makes milk, milk makes cheese. lu_lu/Flickr

The good earth – King Island cheese and Currie Yellow Kurosol

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis profiles some of those soils and the flavours they…
Grown on water saving soils… TXMagpie/Flickr

The good earth: Jasmine rice and Leeton Red Sodosol

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis profiles some of those soils and the flavours they…
The world’s best asparagus, thanks to a peaty drained swamp. avlxyz/flickr

The good earth: peaty Black Vertosol and asparagus

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis profiles some of those soils and the flavours they…
Delicious? Thank the red Dermosol. TheRogue/Flickr

The good earth: Coonawarra Red Dermosol and Cabernet Sauvignon

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis profiles some of those soils and the flavours they…
You can’t grow chips like that on a Vertosol. Lenka Reznicek

The good earth: Thorpdale Red Ferrosol and chip potatoes

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis profiles some of those soils and the flavours they…

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