Tag: Soil water and ecosystem sciences

AI soil imaging by the LandScan.AI Digital Soil Core (TM) shows granules of soil in shades of red, orange, cream, and white.

Beneath the Surface: How AI Soil Imaging Could Change the Future of Farming

by Mike Loizzo
June 5, 2026

What happens beneath the soil surface shapes everything above it — crop productivity, water quality, nutrient efficiency and climate resilience. Yet for decades, understanding subsurface soils has depended on slow laboratory methods. Besides ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: AI, AI Soil Imaging, Arnold Schumann, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Soil Core, LandScan.AI, Perseverança Mungofa, Sabine Grunwald, Sandy Soils, Soil Intelligence Systems, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences
A wide image of the greenhouse and gardens at the Experiential Learning Lab (ELL).

Sparking Student Success: Ann Wilkie Receives 2026 Catalyst Award

by Mike Loizzo
May 21, 2026

For more than 15 years, Ann Wilkie has helped spark curiosity, confidence and discovery in undergraduate researchers at the University of Florida. This accomplishment makes her a fitting recipient of the UF Center for Undergraduate Research ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Al Wysocki, Ann Wilkie, Anne Donnelly, Catalyst Award, Center For Undergraduate Research, Hailey Muchnok, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Susan Crow, Undergraduate Research
Sustainable coastal city illustration showing a modern skyline powered by renewable energy, with solar panels on land and rooftops, offshore wind turbines, illuminated water-based energy systems, wildlife such as birds and deer, and a balanced integration of urban development and natural ecosystems at sunset.

Ecotech: UF researchers help launch a new field to turn nature’s solutions into innovative technology

by Jamie Groh
May 14, 2026

In a recent publication in Science Advances, a team of transdisciplinary international researchers, including researchers from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Nature Coast Biological Station ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Biodiversity Conservation, Cedar Key, Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Resilience, Climate Solutions, Conservation Technology, Ecological Technology, Ecosystem Science, Ecosystem Technology, Ecotech, Engineering And Ecology, Environmental Challenges, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Innovation, Featured, Green Technology, Innovation Accelerator, Interdisciplinary Research, Natural Systems, Nature Coast Biological Station, Nature-inspired Technology, NCBS, Physics, Research Collaboration, Science Advances, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Sustainability, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Solutions, Uf Research, University Of Florida
Roadside market produce. Photo taken 12-12-22.

What’s New on Ask IFAS: UF/IFAS Citrus REC (Jan.–Feb. 2026)

by Amanda Quintos
March 3, 2026

CUPSchat: A Specialized Chatbot for Citrus under Protective Screen (CUPS) Information Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, and Chris Oswalt. The Citrus under Protective Screen (CUPS) project is a novel approach to citrus production in protected agriculture ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Professional Development
Tags: Citrus Cultural Practices, Citrus Research And Education Center, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences
A large ballroom full of people sitting at tables listening to a speaker at the 2024 Water Institute Symposium.

SWES Research Featured at the UF Water Institute Symposium

by Mike Loizzo
February 20, 2026

Members of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) will have a strong presence at the UF Water Institute Symposium. SWES students, faculty, staff, and alumni are contributing more than 40 oral and poster presentations. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Events, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Agriculture, Hydrology, Irrigation, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, UF Water Institute, UF Water Institute Symposium, Water
A large red tractor with extended arms on each side runs through a corn field, applying fertilizer.

Featured New Faculty: Paul White

by Mike Loizzo
February 10, 2026

Paul M. White is one of the newest members of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES). He is an associate professor of soil science and coordinator of the UF/IFAS Agricultural Nutrient Management Program. Based in ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Best Management Practices, Farming, Fertilizer, Nutrient Management, Nutrient Management Program, Paul M White, Precision Agriculture, Soil, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Sustainable Agriculture, Water
A potato field in Hastings, FL, where scientists collected soil samples for a phosphorus management research program.

Phosphorus Management in Florida Must Be Soil-Specific

by Mike Loizzo
February 6, 2026

Phosphorus is one of the most essential nutrients for plant growth. It also is one of the most challenging to manage responsibly. When applied efficiently, it supports lawns and landscapes as well as healthy crops. But when it moves off-site ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Dinesh Phuyal, Entisols, Histosols, Lilit Vardanyan, Mehlich, Nutrient Management, Nutrient Management Program, Phosphorus, Soil Chemistry, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Spodosols, Vimala Nair

Phosphorus Management in Florida Must Be Soil-Specific

by Mike Loizzo
February 6, 2026

Phosphorus is one of the most essential nutrients for plant growth. It also is one of the most challenging to manage responsibly. When applied efficiently, it supports lawns and landscapes as well as healthy crops. But when it moves off-site ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Dinesh Phuyal, Entisols, Histosols, Lilit Vardanyan, Mehlich, Nutrient Management, Nutrient Management Program, Phosphorus, Soil Chemistry, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Spodosols, Vimala Nair
an image of the front, north-facing side of McCarty Hall A at the University of Florida, Gainesville campus.

SWES Faculty, Staff, and Student Recognized with Superior Accomplishment Awards

by Mike Loizzo
February 4, 2026

The Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) is proud to celebrate three outstanding members of our community. All three represent UF/IFAS in different ways, but each demonstrates exceptional service worthy of a 2026 Superior ... READ MORE

Category: Work & Life
Tags: Brittney Monus, Emily Colson, P. Chris Wilson, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Superior Accomplishment Award
A tractor spreads liquid manure biosolids over a pasture field.

Fertilizer Source Matters: A Comparison of Alternatives for Nutrient Content

by Mike Loizzo
January 27, 2026

Fertilizer source is one of the four Rs of fertilizer management (Right source, Right place, Right time, and Right placement). Mineral fertilizers are typically synthesized (i.e., nitrogen from the Haber-Bosch process) or mined from mineral ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Best Management Practices, BMPs, Cheryl Mackowiak, Conservation, Fertility, Fertilization, Field Crops, Forage & Pasture, General Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences

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