How Can Research Help Improve Soil Health and Biodiversity?
Dr Zhaoqi Bin, a Postdoctoral Researcher with the CircAB – Circular Agriculture and Biotechnology Group at CABR, is investigating how farming practices influence soil health and biodiversity as part of the EU-funded SOILCRATES EU project.
Understanding how farming practices influence soil health and biodiversity can help identify approaches that support healthier soils, sustainable agricultural production, and more resilient farming systems. As part of the project, she supports pilot activities, scientific monitoring, and engagement with farmers and other stakeholders.
Dr Zhaoqi Bin’s work involves collecting and analysing soil samples from Irish farms to assess soil health and evaluating how different farming practices influence microbial communities (complex groups of various microorganisms) and soil biodiversity within the selected fields.
Dr Zhaoqi Bin recently led a group of 12 researchers from the CircAB group in a sampling campaign across nineteen farms in Counties Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, Ireland.
More about the SOILCRATES-Ireland Project
SOILCRATES-Ireland is a Living Lab in Ireland funded under the €12 million Horizon Mission Soil project, SOILCRATES.
The project promotes soil literacy and collaboration across different groups involved in the promotion of sustainable agriculture, including farmers, local community groups, local government, and academia. The results will be achieved through co-creation discussions and farm walks, where farmers learn how to use simple soil-testing kits to check soil pH and key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, while researchers and other groups gain knowledge of practical agricultural practices.
The Living Lab is led by TUS and includes 165 farmers and 20 SMEs and governing bodies across Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary. SOILCRATES project partners in Ireland include Cloughjordan Community Farm, Ballyhoura Development CLG, Loop Head Together CLG, and Kraken Seed Ltd.
Photo Gallery
