July: "Soils Are Living: Overview of Soil Biodiversity, Global Issues, and New Resources".

The July poster will provide an overview of soil biology and the many ecosystem functions that soil organisms drive including their impact on global biodiversity, climate regulation, soil health/stability, and plant growth. Five main global issues related to soil biodiversity will be presented such is the need to: 1) increase our knowledge of soil biodiversity for different soils, land uses and climatic regions, 2) studying the phytobiome as a system; 3) globalization of methods, 4) synchronize our efforts to better understand the role of biodiversity in the adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts, and 5) include biodiversity in the selection of management and resulting policies and incentives.  Additionally, the poster will summarize activities/efforts across the world in celebration of the International Year of Soils with emphasis on the "Soils are Alive" theme. This poster was prepared from input of members of the Soil Biology and Biochemistry Division, and the goals of this division will be provided.