TCC's Soil Ecology Winter Camp: A Reflection from a Girl in the Department of Agronomy

May Liu｜Senior in the Department of Agronomy, National Chung Hsing University

As a student in the Department of Agronomy, I tended to view soil from the perspective of agricultural production, overlooking its biological aspect. The first time I encountered the concept that “soil itself constitutes an ecosystem” was at the “2024 TCC Soil Ecology Winter Camp,” and it amazed me so much! Stepping out of the classroom and digging into the soil beneath my feet with an iron spade, soil transformed from theoretical knowledge in textbooks into tangible material saturating our lives. As we observed soil profiles and physically felt the texture of the soil, led by Dr. Chiao-Ping Wang, our camp instructor, we were encouraged to imagine the unseen yet crucial role played by soil organisms through microscopic aggregates. It was then that I truly realized soil as an ecosystem, rather than merely a means of production—a vibrant, fascinating, and mysterious world of ecology.

In recent years, soil conservation has garnered international attention, with the United Nations declaring 2015 as the "International Year of Soils" and launching the "4 per 1000" initiative in the same year. This initiative advocates for an annual increase of 4‰ in soil carbon storage, which could effectively mitigate global warming.。

It emphasizes that soil's significance lies not only in producing sufficient food but also in addressing the issue of global warming. It is considered a natural solution that cannot be ignored by various sectors. Soil ecology plays a crucial role in this regard. However, there are still numerous knowledge gaps and challenges regarding the species composition and classification, ecosystem functions, and conservation methods in soil. In my opinion, the purpose of TCC's camp is to arouse curiosity among students about this field.

During the camp, each group delved into specific subtopics such as "taxonomy," "educational outreach," "conservation," "industry," and "ecology," engaging in in-depth discussions. The breadth of discussions was further expanded due to the diverse professional backgrounds of participating students, creating an excellent learning environment that emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and communication. Taking my group focused on "taxonomy" as an example, members included students from life sciences, farm management, and anthropology departments. This unique opportunity inspires us to think about the essence of taxonomy.

Through this experience, I gained an understanding of the extensive process of investigation, collection, and identification behind each scientific name. I deeply comprehended how taxonomy enables people to establish a common language, accurately identifying the organisms before us, and linking them to the accumulated knowledge of previous generations over hundreds of years, upon which scientific applications thrive.

Every participant of the 2024 TCC Soil Ecology Winter Camp serves as a seed of hope for the future, much like passing the baton from Dr. Chiao-Ping Wang, Dr. Chih-Han Chang, The Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center (KBCC), and the Office of Responsibility and Sustainability from TCC, to carry forward insights into soil ecology and the environment.

AUTHOR

May Liu｜SDG2 Foreign Aid Dream Builder

Senior in the Department of Agronomy, National Chung Hsing University

Determined to engage in international cooperation and development work, hoping to contribute to the Zero Hunger goal, and promote human well-being and social justice.

- 2023 Agricultural Youth Ambassador, Deputy Team Leader of the Indonesia Team
- Academic Director, Taiwan Agricultural Students' Association (IAAS Taiwan)
- Sustainable Intern at Permaculture

Hopes to serve as a resident agricultural technician on the frontlines of international cooperation and development in the future, leveraging agricultural expertise in corners of the world to contribute to the Zero Hunger goal. Aims to be an agricultural technology talent with a sustainable vision, continuously learning interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in "agronomy, sustainability, and information and communication technology", embracing a more resilient sustainable future with an open mind.