Perth is set to host a major international conference in 2025 on the mysteries and potential of sandy soils
The Western Australian government has announced the Global Conference on Sandy Soils 2025 will take place in Perth from July 21-24.
With the theme of ‘Shifting Sands to Sustainable Solutions’, it will focus on the challenges of managing and protecting sandy soils around the world in the face of a changing climate.
The conference will attract scientists from broadacre and irrigated agriculture, landscape rehabilitation and environmental conservation from across the world, the state government says.
“WA is home to many leading sandy soils researchers with expertise in managing sandy soils for agriculture, mining, coastal, indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, rehabilitation and environmental stewardship outcomes,” agriculture and food minister Jackie Jarvis says.
“This conference will be a great opportunity to share some of WA’s great work on managing sandy soils to optimise agricultural productivity and resource opportunities, alongside efforts to conserve the landscape.”
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the CSIRO are leading the event, supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, SoilsWest and Business Events Perth, alongside Machinery Specialists and VRT Solutions.
National and international researchers will have the chance to collaborate with WA researchers and industry partners to explore opportunities to work together to better understand and manage sandy soil landscapes.
There are approximately 900 million hectares of sandy soils worldwide, located particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, of which 22 million hectares of arable land is found in western and southern Australia, according to the state government.
These soils are crucial for food production and a valuable source of mineral sands, including titanium and zircon, while being home to world-recognised native vegetation systems that support biodiversity.
The conference program will feature discussions on irrigated and dryland agricultural systems, natural systems, engineered systems, soil and water conservation, soil fertility and overcoming constraints to plant growth.