Exploring The Future of Soil at the Budapest Soil Health Forum

This gathering offers scientists, stakeholders and experts in soil management a unique platform for engaging in knowledge exchange, collaborative discussions and networking opportunities to address the question: “How can we protect our soils to ensure the safety and well-being of human society as well as the health of ecosystems, agricultural production and forestry?”

The event is designed to offer multiple perspectives on this question through three conferences:

• Artificial Intelligence for Soil Health – examining the role AI can play in mapping, monitoring and managing soil resources.
• Improving Soil Health – the main focus of this conference will be on soil conditioning, monitoring of soil parameters and how to improve soil quality in practice.
• Soil Organic Carbon & Soil Health – This conference will address two critical topics. First, it will explore the knowledge gaps surrounding soil organic carbon, from scientific understanding to practical know-how for implementing effective practices that protect and enhance soil health. Second, it will examine the challenges in safeguarding soil health, even where legal and institutional protections exist, and the unintended negative impacts agricultural subsidies can have on soil management.

The conference will also feature a panel discussion, Soil-X-Change, which will highlight innovations in soil management through the work of European Innovation Partnership (EIP) operational groups.

Representing Baker Consultants and our sister company Soil Acoustics Ltd., our Director of Ecoacoustics, Carlos Abrahams will take the stage as a speaker during the Artificial Intelligence for Soil Health event, the first event of the forum. His talk, titled “A Sound Approach to Monitoring Soil Health,” will delve into how ecoacoustic technology, paired with innovative AI solutions, can revolutionise the way we monitor and manage soil health. Carlos will share insights from our pioneering research and highlight the potential of sound-based data in advancing sustainable soil management practices.

In recent years, our ecoacoustics team have been working hard to develop our Patent Pending Soil Acoustic Meter (SAM) – an innovative device that allows users to listen to the sounds beneath their feet and gain valuable insights into soil health. The device exemplifies our dedication to sustainable soil management and aligns perfectly with the themes of the Budapest Soil Health Forum and the global awareness raised by World Soil Day.

The SAM device, combined with the innovative Soil Acoustic Quality Index (SAQI) developed by our team of experts, provides users with a powerful tool to monitor soil health and make informed, data-driven decisions. This technology is designed to enhance crop yields, strengthen food security and support sustainable farming practices. To bring this cutting-edge solution to market, we are launching our first wave of SAM devices through a Kickstarter campaign.

The Budapest Soil Health Forum stands as a pivotal opportunity to align global expertise, push forward innovative solutions and solidify partnerships essential to protecting one of our planet’s most vital resources. We’re looking forward to sharing more about our transformative technology with Forum delegates and to raise awareness of its potential to revolutionise soil monitoring and management.

The Baker Consultants team is highly experienced and we are passionate about what we do. If you need advice related to ecology, surveys or conservation, then please get in touch with us via our contact form on the website, or you can call us on +44 (0)1629 593958 or email us on info@bakerconsultants.co.uk.