‘Soil science is incredibly vital for Trinidad and Tobago's future’

On 9 February 2024, she was a panellist at the launch of the Call to Action: Closing the Gender Gap in Science by UNESCO at its Paris headquarters. In the following interview, she explains why soil science will play such a vital role in enhancing Trinidad and Tobago’s sustainable land use, agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change in the decades to come. She also has some words of advice for young women contemplating a career in science.

My dreams initially centered around becoming a doctor, as they were influenced by societal expectations and familial aspirations. However, when my journey toward medical school hit an unexpected roadblock, I found myself reevaluating my path.

The roadblock I encountered was not being accepted into medical school. Despite my efforts and aspirations, the intense competition and limited spots prevented me from pursuing my dream of becoming a doctor. It was a difficult moment for me, as I had invested so much time and energy into that path. However, it ultimately led me to reassess my goals and discover a new passion for soil science.

I realized that my passion for science and nature had been with me since childhood, nurtured by experiences in my family’s kitchen garden and exploring the natural wonders of my island home. This realization led me to pursue soil science, where I could combine my love for science with my fascination for the natural world, ultimately charting a new and fulfilling path forward.

Soil science is incredibly vital for Trinidad and Tobago's future for several reasons. Firstly, our nation's agricultural sector relies heavily on the fertility and health of our soil for food production. Understanding soil science helps us optimize agricultural practices, ensuring sustainable crop yields to feed our population.

Secondly, Trinidad and Tobago faces unique challenges due to climate change, including increased rainfall intensity and rising temperatures. Soil science enables us to assess how these changes impact soil erosion, fertility and water retention, crucial for adapting agricultural practices to a changing climate.

Moreover, as a Small Island Developing State, Trinidad and Tobago is particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation. Soil science provides insights into sustainable land management practices, essential for preserving our natural resources and protecting against soil degradation and erosion. In essence, soil science is the foundation of our agricultural resilience, environmental sustainability and food security.

Trinidad and Tobago's annual food import bill is staggering, averaging over TT$ 5 billion. This reliance on imported food highlights the significant challenges the nation faces in achieving food security and self-sufficiency. With such high expenditure on food imports, Trinidad and Tobago's economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in global food prices, currency exchange rates and supply chain disruptions.

Soil science helps us to comprehend how climate change impacts soil health and fertility and, thus, food security. With changing temperature and precipitation patterns, soils may experience alterations in nutrient availability, soil structure and microbial activity. Understanding these changes is pivotal for adapting agricultural practices to maintain soil productivity and ensure sustainable food production.

Additionally, soil science plays a crucial role in mitigating the impact of climate change on crop production and yield. By studying soil–plant interactions, nutrient cycling and water management, soil scientists can develop strategies to help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions. This includes selecting climate-resilient crop varieties, implementing water-efficient irrigation techniques and adopting soil conservation measures to increase food production sustainably.

Lastly, soil science contributes to enhancing food security by promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. These practices focus on improving soil health, conserving water resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities. By adopting practices such as conservation tillage, cover cropping and agroforestry, farmers can mitigate the impact of climate change on crop yields and contribute to long-term food security.

My work focuses on understanding how climate change affects soil properties, nutrient availability and water dynamics, which are critical factors influencing crop growth and productivity. By studying soil–plant interactions under different climate scenarios, we can identify traits and mechanisms that enable crops to adapt to changing environmental conditions. For example, by conducting field trials and genetic analyses, we can identify crop varieties that exhibit desirable traits such as drought tolerance, heat resistance, and pest resilience. These climate-resilient traits can be incorporated into breeding programmes to develop new crop varieties better suited to future climatic conditions.

Additionally, my work contributes to improving soil management practices that enhance crop resilience to climate change. By developing soil fertility management strategies, conservation tillage practices and water-efficient irrigation techniques, we can optimize soil conditions for crop growth and minimize the impacts of climate variability on agricultural productivity.

Furthermore, my research extends to studying microbial communities in soil ecosystems and their role in supporting plant health and resilience. By understanding the interactions between soil microbes, plants and the environment, we can develop microbial-based interventions that enhance crop resilience to climate stressors and improve overall agricultural sustainability.

Overall, my research provides valuable insights and tools for breeding climate-ready crops and developing sustainable agricultural practices that enhance resilience to climate change.

Trinidad and Tobago's vulnerability to climate change is compounded by its status as a data-poor nation. In the context of soil science, the lack of comprehensive soil data poses significant challenges for understanding soil health, erosion risks and agricultural sustainability. Without robust soil data, it becomes challenging to develop accurate models that predict how soil properties may change under different climate scenarios. This hampers our ability to assess the resilience of agricultural systems, predict erosion risks and implement effective soil conservation measures.

Moreover, the absence of systematic data collection on soils means that critical information needed for climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts is unavailable. Soil sampling and analysis are expensive and time-consuming processes, further complicating efforts to fill data gaps. As a result, Trinidad and Tobago faces difficulties in making informed decisions about land use planning, agricultural practices and environmental management.

Addressing this data gap is essential to enhance our understanding of soil dynamics, improve agricultural productivity and build resilience to the impact of climate change. It requires investment in soil data collection initiatives, collaboration with research institutions and the development of innovative technologies for soil monitoring and analysis.

Through my research, I have developed innovative methodologies for soil sampling, analysis and modelling which provide critical information on soil properties, fertility and variability across different landscapes.

These efficient methodologies can be applied to other Small Island Developing States to reduce the cost associated with obtaining critical soil information. For example, I have utilized geophysical techniques and statistical modelling to predict soil depth and variability in Trinidad's Northern Range watershed. The soil depth model that was created can be used to estimate soil depth accurately, which is often a critical parameter in erosion and flooding models, for example.

I have also studied the interactions between soil microbes and environmental factors, as this knowledge can enable us to develop strategies to enhance soil fertility, carbon sequestration and crop productivity.

Additionally, my work extends to developing management zones for cocoa plantations, a valuable cash crop in Trinidad. By integrating soil data with agronomic and environmental factors, we can optimize fertilizer application, irrigation and pest management practices, leading to sustainable cocoa production and improved livelihoods for farmers.

By generating high-quality data and knowledge, we can empower policymakers, land managers and farmers to make informed decisions that promote sustainable land use, enhance agricultural productivity and build resilience to climate change.

Traditional fertilizers, such as synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizers, can contribute to soil degradation, nutrient runoff and environmental pollution if overused or improperly applied. However, there are alternative fertilizers and nutrient management strategies that align with agroecological principles and promote sustainable farming practices.

One example is the use of organic fertilizers, such as compost, manure and bio-based amendments. These fertilizers provide nutrients to plants while also improving soil health, enhancing soil structure and promoting microbial activity. Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly over time, reducing the risk of nutrient leaching and runoff, while supporting long-term soil fertility. When used in combination with agroecological approaches, organic fertilizers can increase the sustainability of the soil, as practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping and intercropping help replenish soil nutrients, reduce the need for external inputs and enhance ecosystem resilience. By diversifying crop rotations and integrating livestock into cropping systems, farmers can recycle nutrients more efficiently and reduce dependence on external fertilizers.

In addition to organic fertilizers, there are also mineral-based fertilizers derived from natural sources, such as rock phosphate, potassium sulfate and calcium carbonate. These fertilizers are considered more environmentally friendly than synthetic fertilizers and can be incorporated into agroecological farming systems to supplement soil nutrients and improve crop yields.

To aspiring female scientists everywhere, I offer this advice: believe in yourself, pursue your passions fearlessly and never underestimate the power of determination. For it is through our perseverance and our unwavering dedication to our dreams that we truly unleash our potential and change the world.

Throughout my studies, I faced my fair share of challenges and obstacles. There were moments when self-doubt crept in and the path ahead seemed daunting. But with unwavering determination and the support of my mentors and peers, I persevered. I refused to let anything stand in the way of my dreams.

My journey has taken me far beyond the shores of Trinidad, from research expeditions to the University of Saskatchewan to presenting at conferences around the world. But no matter where my work may lead me, I remain grounded in my roots, inspired by the natural beauty of my homeland and driven by a passion to make a difference.

Last year, my journey took another turn when I won the prestigious L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Caribbean Award. It was a validation of my hard work and dedication, a reminder that no dream is too big and no goal too lofty. But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my journey has been the opportunity to make a difference in my community.

Interview by Susan Schneegans

Ana Persic, Secretariat, L’Oréal-UNESCO Programme for Women in Science
Zulmira Rodrigues, Head of Section for Small Island Developing States