Soils form the interface between Earth’s spheres. They are intensively used and changed by humans, who depend on the environmental services provided by them. Despite forming just, a thin layer, soils are an important component of biosphere and hydrosphere and thus strongly affect atmosphere, climate and water. Unlike air, water and vegetation, soils and the processes connecting them with the other spheres, are relatively difficult to study because they are covered by vegetation. In addition, transfer of energy and matter occurs in a layered, spatially and temporarily highly variable and dynamic medium. The recognition of the relevance of soils within the Earth system has led to renewed efforts of measuring, mapping and modelling the processes that act within them, between them and other spheres, including how they change soils themselves and affect their environmental services over time.
This session aims at bringing scientists with different perspectives on soils and environment together to discuss their relevance for environmental services, but also innovative field and laboratory approaches used in their research.