This article explains the origins and purpose of this site. Colin Austin outlines how severe soil loss in Australia led him to decades of research into soil regeneration, water management, and carbon capture. From early experiments on degraded land to the development of wicking beds and large-scale soil carbon strategies, the site exists to share knowledge, support adoption, and help safeguard future food supplies in a changing climate.
Colin Austin — 10 May 2011
Why This Work Began
Some thirty-five years ago, Australia experienced tremendous dust storms that stripped millions of tonnes of topsoil from the land. Watching fertile soil disappear made a lasting impression on me. I realised that at some point in the future, topsoil would become one of the most critical limiting factors in feeding the world.
In response, I set up a series of experiments to understand how degraded soil could be regenerated. These experiments were carried out on land that had lost much of its productive capacity. The goal was simple but ambitious: to find practical ways to rebuild topsoil rather than merely slow its decline.
Early Lessons in Soil Regeneration
Through this work, I learned that the key to soil regeneration was not simply adding fertilisers or organic matter, but supporting microbiological activity in the soil. For microbes to thrive, two conditions proved essential: the soil had to be kept moist, and plants had to be growing continuously.
Without moisture, biological activity slows or stops. Without living plants, the soil biology is starved of energy. These two requirements became the foundation of all later work described on this site.
The Role of Mycorrhizal Fungi
We now know that mycorrhizal fungi play a central role in healthy soil. These fungi take energy from living plants and use it to build complex networks in the soil. In doing so, they form aggregates that bind fine soil particles together.
Aggregated soil holds water more effectively, resists erosion, and retains nutrients in forms plants can access. This biological structuring of soil is far more effective and durable than mechanical or chemical approaches alone.
The Search for Better Water Management
Once the importance of soil biology became clear, the next challenge was water. Soil biology requires moisture, but water must be managed carefully. Saturated soil excludes air and damages roots and microbes, while dry soil shuts biological activity down.
I therefore began searching for better ways to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. This search led directly to the development of the wicking bed system.
The Development of Wicking Beds
Wicking beds use an underground water reservoir to supply moisture to the root zone through capillary action. Water moves upward as plants require it, keeping soil moisture levels relatively stable.
This approach proved highly effective. Soil remained biologically active, plant growth improved, and water use dropped dramatically. It is not surprising that wicking beds became popular with environmentally sensitive and water-conscious growers, particularly in areas subject to drought or water restrictions.
From Gardening to Climate Change
As the threat of global warming became clearer, I realised that wicking beds offered more than just better gardening or farming techniques. They also had the potential to mitigate climate change by absorbing significant amounts of atmospheric carbon and storing it in the soil.
Soil carbon is not an abstract concept. It directly improves soil structure, water retention, and fertility, while also reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This dual benefit made soil carbon a particularly attractive area of focus.
Scaling Up: Beyond Individual Beds
While wicking beds worked well at small scale, climate change mitigation requires action at very large scale. To absorb the tens of billions of tonnes of carbon needed to offset human emissions, systems must be adopted across broad agricultural landscapes.
This led to the idea of linking wicking beds together and adapting the principles behind them for larger-scale use. However, wide-scale adoption cannot rely on goodwill alone. Farmers operate within economic realities.
The Need for Carbon Trading
For large-scale adoption to occur, farmers must receive revenue for capturing carbon in their soils. This means soil carbon must be recognised within carbon trading systems.
Achieving this requires convincing governments, particularly through United Nations climate change processes, that changing agricultural systems can both absorb carbon and safeguard future food supplies.
Climate Change and Food Security
We are already seeing how climate change is affecting agriculture. Flood and drought cycles are becoming more extreme, damaging crops and infrastructure and contributing to rising food prices.
Soil that is rich in organic matter and well structured is more resilient. It can absorb heavy rainfall, store water through dry periods, and recover more quickly from extreme events. Improving soil health is therefore one of the most practical ways to protect future food supplies.
The Case for International Collaboration
I came to believe that an international consortium of research institutions could provide the hard evidence needed to convince governments. Such a consortium could also develop simple, credible mechanisms for soil carbon trading.
Climate change is a global problem, and solutions must operate across national boundaries. Countries with large agricultural areas have enormous potential to capture carbon, but they need support, recognition, and practical frameworks.
Engaging With China
At the time of writing, I was preparing to travel to China to discuss the formation of such a research consortium. China faces severe challenges from flooding, drought, and food security, and it also has the capacity to implement large-scale agricultural change.
Collaboration between countries with different climates, farming systems, and political structures is essential if soil carbon is to play a meaningful role in addressing climate change.
Why This Site Exists
Over the years, I have written many papers and reports on soil regeneration, water management, and climate change. At first glance, these can seem overwhelming. However, they are far more accessible when approached through an organised index, allowing readers to explore topics by subject or data.
This site exists to bring that material together in one place. It is intended as a resource for farmers, researchers, policy makers, and anyone interested in soil, water, and sustainable food systems.
Looking Forward
The challenges facing humanity are large, but they are not insurmountable. Soil regeneration, efficient water use, and soil carbon capture are practical tools that can be applied now.
By sharing information openly and encouraging collaboration, this site aims to contribute in a small but meaningful way to a more resilient and sustainable future.
Colin Austin
Colin Austin — © Creative Commons. Reproduction permitted for private use with source acknowledgment; commercial use requires a license.
