Dr Kenneth Loades

My own research includes the sustainable management of soils and the interaction between roots and soil for both soil stability and crop root performance. Soil is a finite resource which we therefore need to protect when you consider that 95% of our food comes from soil. However, the pressures from intensive food production and losses of soil through erosion means we must increase the sustainable management of our soils. Soils are critical for not only growing food but also filtering water and reducing flooding which requires management for many services they provide to the environment as a whole.  If you want to find out more then additional information can be found here. 

Communicating the importance of research is something that has always been important to me and something that is becoming increasingly important today. I have always actively participated in communicating science to everyone, from members of the public and school children to the larger scientific community and decision makers in relation to policy. More recently I am the Soils and Crops sector lead for the SEFARI Gateway, which enables me to communicate to wider audiences the importance and outputs from the Scottish Government funded research.