In both Hong Kong and New Zealand, erosion from steep slopes leads to massive loss of soils. Additional compaction, acidification, salinization and chemical pollution also threaten soil ecosystem services. It takes 20 years for 1mm of soil to form naturally, but it estimated that worldwide each one of us is responsible for the loss of 3.4 t annum-1 . Most of the world’s organic carbon is stored in soils, and soils contains about ⅓ of all living organisms. Restoring and replenishing soil is less straightforward than it would seem, not least in terms of mobilisation of soil nutrients and pollutants. This presentation is concerned with protection, management and remediation of degraded soils, arguing this requires collaborative effort from engineers and natural scientists. Opportunities to rebuild soils and mitigate environmental impacts are drawn from examples in urban and agricultural situation.

 

Ph.D. University of Keele in 1980, Lecturer in Botany, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya (1981-1985); Liverpool John Moores University, UK: Senior Lecturer (1986-), Reader (1998-), then Professor of Environmental Biology (2003-). Currently Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand (since 2010). Head of the Ecology Department (2010-2017). Teaching interests in subject areas of environmental biology, applied ecology, ecotoxicology, botany and environmental science. Research activities concerned with phytoremediation and ecological remediation of degraded and contaminated soils associated with agriculture, urbanization and industry, in the context of nutrients and metal pollutants and particularly in relation to innovative uses for plants and land reclamation. 100+ publications, in more than 20 international journals.