For most of the history of science, we have allowed soils to gather dust. When not using them as somewhere to grow our food (admittedly the most vital of functions), we have largely treated soils as dirt. An impediment when digging for water, for coal, for metro lines. Something to cover over as we built cities and factories. At best, something to play sports on. 

We now know there is much, much more to soils. Or rather, we intuit it: what we know for sure is that we only know about a tenth of what soils have to offer. That soils act as carbon sinks. That they are brimming with biochemical promise. That buried under our feet are no doubt the new frontiers of medical prowess. That we are, in effect, treading on treasures.

As research into soils advances, so do global efforts towards soil governance. World Soil Day on 5 December is a move to put soils on the map – and, for us, an opportunity to rustle up a selection of FAO publications on the subject. We’re listing some below, so get burrowing!