Soil health may not be visible, but experts say its effects are being felt across Trinidad and Tobago, from flooding to land instability.
At The University of the West Indies, Professor Mark Wuddivira warned that soil degradation is a “silent process” with serious consequences for infrastructure, agriculture, and the environment.
The University of the West Indies held its Professorial Inaugural Lecture recently where it explored if the foundations of our food systems and environmental stability are quietly under strain.
Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture Professor Mark Wuddivira explained that soil is a complex, living system that controls how water moves through the environment and how land responds to rainfall.
He also highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s varied soil conditions, noting that differences between northern and southern soils require careful, site-specific management to avoid environmental and infrastructure challenges.
Professor Wuddivira says soil must be understood as a key regulator of environmental systems.