What soil needs from us: Lessons from an European soil health conference

Shamina Imran Pathan and Magdalena Frac stand smiling in front of their LEGUMINOSE research poster on bacterial and fungal transfer in intercropped rhizospheres.

Written by Shamina Imran Pathan

Choosing the right conference to present your findings is a key decision for any academic. Conferences are more than just venues to share data – they provide opportunities to connect with peers, build lasting collaborations and find new inspiration. For those working in soil microbiology, I highly recommend the Ecology of Soil Microorganisms conference. This event focuses specifically on soil microorganisms and their role in soil health and ecosystem services.

Photo of a conference room and the title slide for the Ecology of Soil Microorganisms 2025 conference, held in Helsinki, Finland.
Group photo of the participants of the Ecology of Soil Microorganisms conference.

I have been attending this conference since my PhD days, and this year, I had the pleasure of attending again – this time in the beautiful city of Helsinki, Finland. Taina Pennanen and her team at the Natural Resources Institute Finland organised the event. As always, the conference offered a wide-ranging programme, covering topics such as microbial diversity, functionality, pathogenicity, and the role of microorganisms in soils ranging from agricultural to forest to urban landscapes.

Spotlight on European soil health

One session stood out to me: European Soil Health, Biodiversity, Sustainable Management. This session spotlighted several Horizon Europe projects focused on sustainable soil management practices to enhance soil health. I presented the LEGUMINOSE project during this session and highlighted our work on legume-cereal intercropping and its potential for promoting biodiversity and sustainable farming practices.

What soil needs from us – a panel discussion

A panel discussion slide asks what role soil researchers must play in achieving healthy EU soils by 2050.
We must cultivate soil empathy at every level — scientific, stakeholder, and citizen — to safeguard our soils for a better future for ourselves and the generations to come.

Following the session, the organisers hosted a panel discussion that invited open dialogue about the current state of soil health in Europe. I was grateful to be one of the panellists and to exchange ideas with fellow researchers. Below are some key points we discussed during the panel. 

Shamina Imran Pathan and other experts share insights during a panel on sustainable soil use at the Helsinki conference.

Turning research into practice

  • We need to translate research data into clear, practical messages for end users.
  • Many research findings are well-established in the research community but are not widely adopted due to a lack of incentives (e.g., conservation tillage).
  • We must demonstrate the economic benefits of sustainable practices directly to stakeholders.
  • Stakeholders who generate positive externalities – such as cleaner water, more biodiversity, or climate resilience – should be supported and rewarded.

Bridging the gap between science and stakeholders

  • We need to improve communication with stakeholders significantly. 
  • Stakeholders should actively share their challenges with the scientific community.
  • Delegating dissemination may be necessary in some cases. 
  • Scientists must be transparent about the uncertainties in their research. 

Raising awareness and shifting mindsets

  • Forests and their soil ecosystems require more attention.
  • We must raise public awareness of soil threats. 
  • We should actively promote empathy for soils.

Among all these points, what resonated with me most is the need for empathy towards our soils. As Europe strives for healthy soils by 2050, events like this European soil health conference are crucial for sharing innovative solutions such as intercropping. We must cultivate soil empathy at every level — scientific, stakeholder, and citizen — to safeguard our soils for a better future for ourselves and the generations to come.