Knowledge Chains, Linking Cutting-Edge Research on Flow Phenomena in Soils with Tacit Knowledge from Field Research

Abstract

The impressive set of measuring, monitoring and modeling methodologies of soil physics is currently not being used to its full potential in inter-and transdisciplinary studies on major environmental problems. Suggestions are made to: (i) re-establish the knowledge chain, linking tacit knowledge to cutting edge science in both directions; (ii) make the scattered field of soil science research more visible to outsiders by focusing research on the seven soil functions, as defined in the Soil Protection Strategy of the Commission of the European Communities; (iii) better integrate the various subdisciplines of soil science where particular attention is suggested for hydropedology: soil physicists working together with pedologists; (iv) show the relevance of soil research by demonstrating its crucial input when defining strategic concepts, such as the Planetary Boundaries of Rockstrom; (iv) focus on specific case studies demonstrating the central role that soil science can play in studying and solving ``wicked{''} environmental problems, and (v) be aware that considering business opportunities, as in the two case studies, can provide essential support to the scientific research effort.