Arguably the birth place of soil science is situated in Russia, with Vasily Dokuchaev considered its founding father. Dokuchaev established soil science as a natural science and published many classical works that are still relevant today. Between November 30 and December 3 Soil Scientists Prof. Budiman Minasny and Dr. Brendan Malone were invited to the Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute in Moscow, Russia to provide training and expertise to young graduate level Russian soil scientists in the methods and technologies related to digital soil mapping. Minasny and Malone were part of an international expert team drawn from Australia, France, the USA, the Netherlands, and of course Russia to deliver this vibrant and intensive course.
Director of the Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute Dr. Andrey Ivanov, and Executive-Director, Dr. Igor Savin explained the history and role of the institute and the current need for updated soil information in Russia. Land privatization is currently happening in Russia, and there is a need for detailed soil information in order to assess its potential use and environmental impact. Subsequently the institute was awarded a prestigious grant from the Russian Scientific Foundation on “Large-scale digital soil mapping using remote sensing data”. The training of young soil scientists in digital soil mapping is major component of this project.
The intensive workshop exposed the young scientists to the underlying theory of digital soil mapping and importantly allowed them to participate in hands-on exercises. Therefore the workshop provided students the required general knowledge in addition to the necessary practical and implementable skills needed for doing digital soil mapping.
While the workshop was short in duration, the instructors were all impressed with the students’ enthusiasm on digital soil mapping. Both Minasny and Malone felt particularly lucky and honored to be part of this workshop. Firstly because of the historical significance of the Russian school in the development of soil science. Most important however was the opportunity to contribute to the really important task of securing Russia’s soil resources by providing the young scientists with the fundamental skills to perform that very important task.
Brendan Malone demonstrating digital soil mapping techniques to young Russian scientists
The Director of the Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute Dr Andrey Ivanov showing the traditional soil map of Russia.
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