Western Australia will have a State Soil Archive this year, housing hundreds of thousands of soil samples from the Kimberley to the South Coast.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) and the Department of Training and Workforce Development to establish the Archive at the Muresk Institute.
More than 150,000 soil specimens collected from around the State by the department, will be located in a specially refurbished building located at the Muresk Institute’s Northam property.
Department Grains Research and Development Transformation Executive Director Mark Sweetingham said it was important to preserve the collection as part of the State’s heritage and for future research.
“It is fitting with last year the International Year of Soils that we have committed to establishing a State Soil Archive to conserve the long-term scientific value of Western Australia’s soil specimens and associated data,” Dr Sweetingham said.
“Archived soil specimens like these are invaluable ‘time capsules’ for assessing changes in soil properties over time, particularly as new analysis techniques become available.
“This will be a living library, which will continue to be added to, from which scientists can continue to learn more about the soils that sustain WA’s agricultural and food sector.”
The State Soil Archive, to be formally launched later this year, is part of the $20 million Boosting Grains Research and Development project, funded by Royalties for Regions.
Refurbishment work on the 500 square metre building will commence in coming months.
Muresk Institute General Manager Prue Jenkins said it was an honour to host the collection, from which students would benefit greatly.
“Soils are the foundation for many of the subjects we offer at Muresk,” Ms Jenkins said.
“Having ready access to the soil archive will give students a practical insight into the complexities and characteristics of the State’s soils and enhance their application of such knowledge.”
The State Soil Archive will be administered by DAFWA and will open later this year.
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