Artistic expressions of soil build a new narrative for soil science communication

Abstract:

Conversations about soils in public spaces tend to be framed around resource extraction where soils are often seen as a passive medium for plant growth. While soils are fundamentally important for understanding and managing agricultural systems, soils are the basis of all terrestrial ecosystems and thus many soil scientists work outside of agricultural settings. Soil scientists have long recognized that soils are a unique part of the natural world and are so much more than just the sum of the services provided to humanity. Soils exist in diverse forms emerging from the interactions of parent materials, topographies, climates, biologies, and time. Yet, many soil science communication efforts focus on the ecosystem services that soils provide rather than invoking curiosity, wonder, and personal connection in our audience. We create, share, and amplify artistic expressions of soils to build a narrative of soil science communication based on the of intrinsic value of soils. Here, we share a suite of original paintings, weavings, prints, and digital art that demonstrate the variety, complexity, and beauty of soil forms. We evaluate the role that art plays in connecting with our audience at @fortheloveofsoil on Instagram and www.fortheloveofsoil.org. We reflect on how our lived experience as soil scientists and artists brings us to focus on the intrinsic value of soil in our approach to soil science communication. In doing so, we will share our principles of science communication and suggest paths forward for future soil science communication efforts at the intersection of science and art.