Articles | Volume 3, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-3-153-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-3-153-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Forum article
| 
13 Sep 2017
Forum article |
| 13 Sep 2017
How Alexander von Humboldt's life story can inspire innovative soil research in developing countries
Johan Bouma
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
retired
Invited contribution by Johan Bouma, recipient of the EGU Alexander von Humboldt Medal 2017.
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Soil health is an important term in the international policy arena when considering soil contributions to sustainable development. We propose a measurement method, lacking so far, and explore differences within the term soil quality. The latter describes the inherent properties of soils, while soil health focuses on actual health. The procedure is illustrated for three Italian soil types, also showing the effects of climate change, demonstrating that each soil is significantly different.
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The recently accepted UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a major challenge to the research community, including soil science. SDGs require a interdisciplinary research approach that forces every discipline to critically evaluate its core messages. Effective communication with the policy arena requires use of common policy concepts such as policy phases and distinction of drivers, pressures, and responses to change. To accomodate such needs, research practices will have to change.
Saskia D. Keesstra, Johan Bouma, Jakob Wallinga, Pablo Tittonell, Pete Smith, Artemi Cerdà, Luca Montanarella, John N. Quinton, Yakov Pachepsky, Wim H. van der Putten, Richard D. Bardgett, Simon Moolenaar, Gerben Mol, Boris Jansen, and Louise O. Fresco
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Soil science, as a land-related discipline, has links to several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals which are demonstrated through the functions of soils and related ecosystem services. We discuss how soil scientists can rise to the challenge both internally and externally in terms of our relations with colleagues in other disciplines, diverse groups of stakeholders and the policy arena. To meet these goals we recommend the set of steps to be taken by the soil science community as a whole.
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Roisin O'Riordan, Jess Davies, Carly Stevens, and John N. Quinton
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As urban populations grow, soil sealing with impermeable surfaces will increase. At present there is limited knowledge on the effect of sealing on soil carbon and nutrients. We found that, in general, sealing reduced soil carbon and nutrients; however, where there were additions due to human activity, soil carbon and nutrients were increased. This suggests that there is a legacy soil carbon store in areas with an industrial past and highlights the influence of artefacts in urban soil.
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We use a holistic framework to analyze how agricultural policy in Germany affects the sustainability of soil management. We look at the adequacy of policy targets, objects (i.e. drivers of soil degradation), instruments, assumptions about farmers' behaviour, and the coherence among these four dimensions. We find deficits in each dimension, particularly object and instrument adequacy. Agricultural soil policy in Germany lacks depth and coherence, and the role of biomass demand is neglected.
Sascha Scherer, Benjamin Höpfer, Katleen Deckers, Elske Fischer, Markus Fuchs, Ellen Kandeler, Jutta Lechterbeck, Eva Lehndorff, Johanna Lomax, Sven Marhan, Elena Marinova, Julia Meister, Christian Poll, Humay Rahimova, Manfred Rösch, Kristen Wroth, Julia Zastrow, Thomas Knopf, Thomas Scholten, and Peter Kühn
SOIL, 7, 269–304, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-269-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-269-2021, 2021
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This paper aims to reconstruct Middle Bronze Age (MBA) land use practices in the northwestern Alpine foreland (SW Germany, Hegau). We used a multi-proxy approach including biogeochemical proxies from colluvial deposits in the surroundings of a MBA settlement, on-site archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological data and off-site pollen data. From our data we infer land use practices such as plowing, cereal growth, forest farming and use of fire that marked the beginning of major colluvial deposition.
Collin J. Weber, Alexander Santowski, and Peter Chifflard
SOIL, 7, 15–31, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-15-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-15-2021, 2021
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Pavement joints, defined as the joint between paving stones and filled with different materials, in the inner city area of Marburg (Hesse, Germany) show moderate to high pollution with different heavy metals. Enrichment of heavy metals in pavement joints is related to surface run-off accumulation. As the pollution of pavement joints poses direct risks to the environment and humans in urban areas, the inconspicuous joints should be considered in urban water management strategies.
Frederick Büks and Martin Kaupenjohann
SOIL, 6, 649–662, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-649-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-649-2020, 2020
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Laboratory experiments that assess microplastic (MP) impact on the terrestrial environment require information on common soil MP concentrations. We reviewed item numbers and mass concentrations recorded in 23 studies, with 223 sampling sites in total with respect to the underlying entry pathways, land uses and vicinities. Common values included amounts of up to 13 000 items kg−1 and 4.5 mg kg−1 dry soil. Based on the collected data, we identified problems in past field studies.
Maha Deeb, Peter M. Groffman, Manuel Blouin, Sara Perl Egendorf, Alan Vergnes, Viacheslav Vasenev, Donna L. Cao, Daniel Walsh, Tatiana Morin, and Geoffroy Séré
SOIL, 6, 413–434, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-413-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-413-2020, 2020
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The goal of this study was to discuss current methods to create soils adapted for various green infrastructure (GI) designs. Investigating these new soils for several design categories of GI will provide technical information for management and design agencies. Moreover, these studies can serve as pioneer experiments to prevent recurring errors and, thus, provide improved plant growth practices. Results show that these constructed soils have a high potential to provide multiple soil functions.
Katja Wiedner and Steven Polifka
SOIL, 6, 315–324, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-315-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-315-2020, 2020
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Microplastics and microglass are used in a wide range of everyday and industrial applications acting as abrasives, filler and binding agents, which could enter aquatic and terrestrial environments with unexpected consequences for ecosystems. Our study suggests that different types of microparticles seem to have contrary effects on soil microorganisms, depending on the origin and properties of microparticles. This study should be seen as basis for further research, which is urgently needed.
Nicolette Tamara Regina Johanna Maria Jonkman, Esmee Daniëlle Kooijman, Karsten Kalbitz, Nicky Rosa Maria Pouw, and Boris Jansen
SOIL, 5, 303–313, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-303-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-303-2019, 2019
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In the urban gardens of Kisumu we interviewed female farmers to determine the sources and scope of their agricultural knowledge. We assessed the impact of the knowledge by comparing the influence of two types of management on soil nutrients. While one type of management was more effective in terms of preserving soil nutrients, the other management type had socioeconomic benefits. Both environmental and socioeconomic effects have to be considered in agricultural training to increase their impact.
Matthew T. Streeter and Keith E. Schilling
SOIL, 4, 93–100, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-4-93-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-4-93-2018, 2018
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Iowa golf courses provide an ideal location to evaluate whether golf course management is affecting the quality of soils at depth. Our study evaluated how soil properties relating to soil health and resiliency varied with depth at golf courses across Iowa and interpreted relationships of these properties to current golf course management and inherent soil properties. Systematic variation in soil properties including sand content, NO3, and SOM was observed with depth.
Brice Prudat, Lena Bloemertz, and Nikolaus J. Kuhn
SOIL, 4, 47–62, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-4-47-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-4-47-2018, 2018
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Soil degradation is a major threat for farmers of semi-arid north-central Namibia. Having tools to assess soil quality is important to evaluate soil conditions and helps targeting important issues. We developed a soil evaluation toolbox that integrates farmers' field experiences and technical knowledge. The combination of local soil descriptions, field soil texture evaluation and soil colour provides locally meaningful information that reveals soil quality improvement potentials.
Martina I. Gocke, Fabian Kessler, Jan M. van Mourik, Boris Jansen, and Guido L. B. Wiesenberg
SOIL, 2, 537–549, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-537-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-537-2016, 2016
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Investigation of a Dutch sandy profile demonstrated that buried soils provide beneficial growth conditions for plant roots in terms of nutrients. The intense exploitation of deep parts of the soil profile, including subsoil and soil parent material, by roots of the modern vegetation is often underestimated by traditional approaches. Potential consequences of deep rooting for terrestrial carbon stocks, located to a relevant part in buried soils, remain largely unknown and require further studies.
Leonor Rodrigues, Umberto Lombardo, Mareike Trauerstein, Perrine Huber, Sandra Mohr, and Heinz Veit
SOIL, 2, 367–389, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-367-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-367-2016, 2016
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Our study examines pre-Columbian agricultural raised fields in the Bolivian Amazon.
It provides a new interpretation for pre-Columbian management of raised fields.
The results show that differences in field size and height are the result of an adaptation to a site where soil properties vary significantly on a scale of tens to hundreds of meters. The analysis and dating of the raised fields sediments point towards an extensive and rather brief use of the raised fields, for about 100–200 years.
Marieke Doorenbosch and Jan M. van Mourik
SOIL, 2, 311–324, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-311-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-311-2016, 2016
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Soil records provide information about 5 millennia of heath management in cultural landscapes on sandy soils. Deforestations and the introduction of the deep, stable economy in the 18th century resulted in sand drifting and heath degradation. After the introduction of chemical fertilizers more than 90 % of the heaths were transformed into productive arable field or forests. Currently the last heaths are preserved as part of the cultural heritage.
Sjoerd Kluiving, Tim de Ridder, Marcel van Dasselaar, Stan Roozen, and Maarten Prins
SOIL, 2, 271–285, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-271-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-271-2016, 2016
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In medieval times the city of Vlaardingen (the Netherlands) was strategically located on the confluence of three rivers, the Maas, the Merwede, and the Vlaarding. Combined research on the history and soil of this city was initiated by an archaeological research question, following Dutch legislation. The start of fluvial system 2 in AD 600 correlates with evidence of the church that was present at least in AD 726/727. Results record the period before and after the flooding in AD 1170.
C. Poeplau, H. Marstorp, K. Thored, and T. Kätterer
SOIL, 2, 175–184, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-175-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-175-2016, 2016
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We compared two long-term contrasting systems of urban lawn management (frequently cut utility lawn vs. seldomly cut meadow-like lawn) regarding their effect on soil carbon in three Swedish cities. Biomass production was also measured during 1 year. The utility lawns had a significantly higher biomass production, which resulted in a higher soil carbon storage, since clippings were not removed. Soil carbon sequestration outweighed the higher management-related CO2 emissions of the utility lawns.
Johan Bouma and Luca Montanarella
SOIL, 2, 135–145, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-135-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-135-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The recently accepted UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a major challenge to the research community, including soil science. SDGs require a interdisciplinary research approach that forces every discipline to critically evaluate its core messages. Effective communication with the policy arena requires use of common policy concepts such as policy phases and distinction of drivers, pressures, and responses to change. To accomodate such needs, research practices will have to change.
Saskia D. Keesstra, Johan Bouma, Jakob Wallinga, Pablo Tittonell, Pete Smith, Artemi Cerdà, Luca Montanarella, John N. Quinton, Yakov Pachepsky, Wim H. van der Putten, Richard D. Bardgett, Simon Moolenaar, Gerben Mol, Boris Jansen, and Louise O. Fresco
SOIL, 2, 111–128, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-111-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-111-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Soil science, as a land-related discipline, has links to several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals which are demonstrated through the functions of soils and related ecosystem services. We discuss how soil scientists can rise to the challenge both internally and externally in terms of our relations with colleagues in other disciplines, diverse groups of stakeholders and the policy arena. To meet these goals we recommend the set of steps to be taken by the soil science community as a whole.
C. Feller, E. R. Landa, A. Toland, and G. Wessolek
SOIL, 1, 543–559, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-543-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-543-2015, 2015
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Case studies of artworks focused on painting, installation, and film are presented, with the view of encouraging further exploration of art about, in, and with soil, as a contribution to raising soil awareness.
M. Gronwald, A. Don, B. Tiemeyer, and M. Helfrich
SOIL, 1, 475–489, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-475-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-475-2015, 2015
U. Lombardo, S. Denier, and H. Veit
SOIL, 1, 65–81, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-65-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-65-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
In the present paper we explore to what degree soil properties might have influenced pre-Columbian settlement patterns in the Monumental Mounds Region (MMR) of the Llanos de Moxos (LM), Bolivian Amazon. This study provides new data on the soil properties of the south-eastern Bolivian Amazon and reinforces the hypothesis that environmental constraints and opportunities exerted an important role on pre-Columbian occupation patterns and the population density reached in the Bolivian Amazon.
J. P. van Leeuwen, T. Lehtinen, G. J. Lair, J. Bloem, L. Hemerik, K. V. Ragnarsdóttir, G. Gísladóttir, J. S. Newton, and P. C. de Ruiter
SOIL, 1, 83–101, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-83-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-83-2015, 2015
Cited articles
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Bouma, J., de Vos, J. A., Sonneveld, M. P. W., Heuvelink, G. B. M., and Stoorvogel, J. J.: The role of scientists in multiscale land use analysis: lessons learned from Dutch communities of practice, Adv. Agron., 97, 177–239, 2008.
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Brouwer, J. and Bouma, J.: Soil and crop growth variability in the Sahel, Infor. Bull. 49, ICRISAT-Sahelian Center and Agric. Univ. Wageningen Neth., Patencheru 502324, Andhra Pradesh, India, 1997.
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FAO & ITPS: Status of the World's Soil Resources. Main Report, FAO and Intergovernmental Technical Panel (ITPS), Rome, Italy, 2015.
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Gandah, M., Bouma, J., Brouwer, J., Hiernaux, P., and van Duivenbooden, N.: Strategies to optimize allocation of limited nutrients to sandy soils of the Sahel: a case study from Niger, West Africa, Agr. Ecosyst. Environ., 94, 311–319, 2003.
Gaze, S. R., Simmonds, L. P., Brouwer, J., and Bouma, J.: Measurement of surface redistribution of rainfall and modeling its effect on water balance calculations for a millet field on sandy loam soil in Niger, J. Hydrol., 188/189, 267–284, 1997.
Hartemink, A. E., Balks, M. B., Chen, Z.-S., Drohan, P., Field, D. J., Krasilnikov, P., Lowe, D. J., Rabenhorst, M., van Rees, K., Schad, P., Schipper, L. A., Sonneveld, M., and Walter, C.: The joy of teaching soil science, Geoderma, 217–18, 1–9, 2014.
Hoosbeek, M. R. and Bryant, R. B.: Towards the quantitative modelling of pedogenesis – a review, Geoderma, 55, 183–210, 1992.
Huising, E. J., Wielemaker, W. G., and Bouma, J.: Evaluating land use at the sub-regional level in the Atlantic zone of Costa Rica, considering biophysical land potentials, Soil Use and Management, 10, 152–158, 1994.
Husson, O., Hanhart, K., Phung, M. T., and Bouma, J.: Water management for rice cultivation on acid sulphate soils in the Plain of Reeds, Vietnam, Agr. Water Manage., 46, 91–109, 2000a.
Husson, O., Phung, M. T., and Van Mensvoort, M. E. F.: Soil and water indicators for optimal practices when reclaiming acid sulphate soils in the Plain of Reeds, Viet Nam, Agr. Water Manage., 45, 127–143, 2000b.
IFAD: Rural Poverty Report: New Realities, New Challenges: New Opportunities for tomorrow's generation, Rome, Italy, 2011.
Jarvis, H. D., Collett, R., Wingenbach, G., Heilman, J. L., and Fowler, D.: Developing a Foundation for Constructing New Curricula in Soil, Crop and Turfgrass Sciences, Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences, 41, 7–14, 2012.
Kahan, D. M.: What is the Science of:”Science Communication”?, Journal of Science Communication, 14, 1–10, 2015.
Keesstra, S. D., Bouma, J., Wallinga, J., Tittonell, P., Smith, P., Cerdà, A., Montanarella, L., Quinton, J. N., Pachepsky, Y., van der Putten, W. H., Bardgett, R. D., Moolenaar, S., Mol, G., Jansen, B., and Fresco, L. O.: The significance of soils and soil science towards realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SOIL, 2, 111–128, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-111-2016, 2016.
Lal, R.: Food security in a changing climate, Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, 13, 8–21, 2013.
Minh, L. Q., Tuong, T. P., van Mensvoort, M. E. F., and Bouma, J.: Contamination of surface water as affected by land use in acid sulphate soils in the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam, Agr. Ecosyst. Environ., 61, 19–27, 1997a.
Minh, L. Q., Tuong, T. P., van Mensvoort, M. E. F., and Bouma, J.: Tillage and water management for riceland productivity in acid sulphate soils of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, Soil Till. Res., 42, 1–14, 1997b.
Minh, L. Q., Tuong, T. P., Booltink, H. W. G., van Mensvoort, M. E. F., and Bouma, J.: Bypass flow and its role in leaching of raised beds under different land use types on an acid sulphate soil, Agr. Water Manage., 32, 131–147, 1997c.
Munafo, M., Nosek, B. A., Bishop, D. V. M., Button, K. S., Chambers, C. O., Percie du Sert, N., Simonsohn, U., Wagenmakers, E. J., de Ware, J. J., and Ionnidis, J. P. A.: A manofesto for reproducible science, Nature Human Behaviour, 1, 0021, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-016-0021, 2017.
Rockström, J., Steffen, W., Noone, K., Persson, A., Chapin III, F. S., Lambin, E., Lenton, T. M., Scheffer, M., Folke, C., Schellnhuber, H. J., Nykvist, B., de Wit, C. A., Hughes, T., van der Leeuw, S., Rodhe, H., Sorlin, S., Snyder, P. K., Constanza, R., Svedin, U., Falkenmark, M., Karlberg, L., Correll, R. W., Fabbry, V. J., Hansen, J., Walker, B., Liverman, D., Richardson, K., Crutzen, P., and Foley, J.: Planetary boundaries: exploring the safe operating space for humanity, Ecol. Soc., 14, 32, http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol14/iss2/art32, 2009.
Rockström, J., Karlberg, L., Wani, S. P., Barron, J., Hatibie, N., Owas, Th., Bruggeman, A., Farahani, J., and Qiang, Z.: Managing water in rainfed agriculture. The need for a paradigm shift, Agr. Water Manage., 97, 543–550, 2010.
Schwilch, G., Hessel, R., and Verzandvoort, S. (Eds.): Desire for Greener Land. Options for Sustainable Land Management in Drylands, Bern, Switserland and Wageningen, the Netherlands, Univ. of Bern-CDE, Alterra-Wageningen-UR, ISRIC-World Soil Information and CTA-techn. Center for AGR and Rural Cooperation, 2012.
Smaling, E. M. A. and Bouma, J.: Bypass flow and leaching of nitrogen in a Kenyan Vertisol at the onset of the growing season, Soil Use Manage., 8, 44–48, 1992.
Smaling, E. M. A. and Janssen, B. H.: Calibration of QUEFTS, a model predicting nutrient uptake and yields from chemical soil fertility indices, Geoderma, 59, 21–44, 1993.
Smaling, E. M. A., Stein, A., and Sloot, P. H. M.: A statistical analysis of the influence of Striga hermonthica on maize yields in fertilizer trials in Southwestern Kenya, Plant Soil, 138, 1–8, 1991.
Smaling, E. M. A., Nandwa, S. M., Prestele, H., Roetter, R., and Muchena, F. N.: Yield response of maize to fertilizers and manure under different agro-ecological conditions in Kenya, Agr. Ecosyst. Environ., 41, 241–252, 1992.
Spaans, E., Bouma, J., Lansu, A., and Wielemaker, W. G.: Measuring soil hydraulic properties after clearing of tropical rain forest in a Costa Rican soil, Trop. Agr., 67, 61–65, 1990.
Spaans, E. J. A., Baltissen, G. A. M., Bouma, J., Miedema, R., Lansu, A.L.E., Schoonderbeek, D., and Wielemaker, W. G.: Changes in physical properties of young and old vulcanic surface soils in Costa Rica after clearing of tropical rain forest, Hydrol. Process., 3, 383–392, 1989.
Stein, A., Hoogerwerf, M., and Bouma, J.: Use of soil-map delineations to improve (co) kriging of point data on moisture deficits, Geoderma, 43, 163–177, 1988.
Stein, A., Brouwer, J., and Bouma, J.: Methods for comparing spatial variability patterns of millet, yield and soil data, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 61, 861–870, 1997.
Stoorvogel, J. J., Kooistra, L., and Bouma, J.: Spatial and temporal variation in nematocide leaching, management implications for a Costa Rica banana plantation, in: Assessment of non-point source pollution in the vadose zone, Geophysical Monograph 108, Am. Geophys. Un., 281–289, 1999.
Stoorvogel, J. J., Bouma, J., and Orlich, R. A.: Participatory research for systems analysis: prototyping for a Costa Rican Banana Plantation, Agron. J., 96, 323–336, 2004.
Van Camp, L., Bujarrabal, B., Gentile, A. R., Jones, R. J. A., Montanarella, L., Olazabal, C., and S-Kumar Selvaradjou (Eds.): Reports of the TechnicalWorking Groups established under the Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, EUR 2131'9EN/6, Office for the official publications of the European Commuinities, Luxembourg, 2004.
van Groenigen, J. W., Gandah, M., and Bouma, J.: Soil sampling strategies for precision agriculture research under Sahalian conditions, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 64, 1674–1680, 2000.
van Ittersum, M. K., van Bussel, L. G. J., Wolf, J., Guilport, N., Claessens, L., de Groot, H., Wiebe, K., Mason-D'Croz, D., Yang, H., Boogaard, H., van Oort, P. A. J., van Loon, M. P., Saito, K., Adimo, O., Adjei-Nsiah, S., Agali, A., Bala, A., Chicowo, R., Kaizzi, K., Kouressy, M., Makoi, J. H. R., Ouatarra, K., Tesfaye, K., and Cassman, K. G.: Can Sub-Saheran Africa feed itself?, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 113, 14964–14969, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1610359113, 2016.
Veldkamp, E., Huising, J. E., Stein, A., and Bouma, J.: Variability of measured banana yields in a Costarican plantation as expressed by soil survey and thematic mapper data, Geoderma, 47, 337–349, 1990.
Wopereis, M. S. C., Stein, A., Bouma, J., and Woodhead, T.: Sampling number and design for measurements of infiltration rates into puddled rice fields, Agr. Water Manage., 22, 281–295, 1992.
Wopereis, M. C. S., Kropff, M. J., Wösten, J. H. M., and Bouma, J.: Sampling strategies for measurement of soil hydraulic properties to predict rice yield using simulation models, Geoderma, 59, 1–20, 1993.
Wopereis, M. C. S., Bouma, J., Kropff, M. J., and Sanidad, W.: Reducing bypass flow through a cracked, previously puddled clay soil, Soil Till. Res., 29, 1–11, 1994.
World Bank: Agriculture for Development, The World Bank, Washington D.C., USA, 2008.
Wulf, A.: The invention of nature. The life of Alexander von Humboldt, John Murray Publ., London, UK, 2015.
Short summary
Alexander von Humboldt was an inspiring scientist in the early 1800s, traveling widely, making many measurements, and linking different scientific disciplines while keeping an eye open to the needs of society. This is particularly relevant today in our information society, and researchers in developing countries are advised to follow the von Humboldt example when planning their future research.
Alexander von Humboldt was an inspiring scientist in the early 1800s, traveling widely, making...
