The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) will be carrying out a study of soils throughout the Territory as part of a Darwin Plus-funded research project launched this week. The study will be conducted in partnership with other government agencies, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, and the University of Portsmouth (United Kingdom). The study will produce highly detailed and digitised maps for use across the public service, provide training in soil sampling and analysis, and help establish a soils laboratory at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Mr. Joseph Smith Abbott, said detailed soil maps can improve decision making regarding a wide range of topics including erosion prevention and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, farming and food security, building construction, and waste management.
