We’re celebrating World Soil Day by exploring the vital role soils play in the landscapes, food systems and environmental resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand. Host Rebecca Bloomer is joined by soil scientist Pierre Roudier, President of the New Zealand Society of Soil Science, to explore how soils support ecosystems, store carbon, manage water, reduce flood risk and even shape urban planning. Pierre reveals how modern soil science is transforming our understanding of the land — from advanced mapping tools like S-map to new ways of monitoring change. These innovations help guide land-use decisions and protect high-value soils from urban pressure. The episode also looks ahead to the future of soil science, including soil moisture monitoring, carbon sequestration and viewing soil as a living ecosystem. We wrap up with an invitation to mark World Soil Day by taking a moment to notice and appreciate the soils beneath our feet. S-Map link: https://smap.landcareresearch.co.nz To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest