Biodiversity

WED-B01: Healthy Soils Support Healthy Trees: The Amazing World of Soil Genomics"

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT

1.25 PDH, LA CES/HSW

Speaker(s)

Peter J. Caldwell, ASLA, PLA

Associate Professor of Practice
Texas A&M University
Houston, Texas
Gordon Mann

Arboriculture and Community Forestry Coordinator
The Institute of Soil Genomics for Healthy Community Forestry
Auburn, California
Wei Zhang

Education Coordinator
The Institute of Soil Genomics for Healthy Community Forestry
Ashland, Virginia

Healthy mature trees enhance human health and quality of life. However, the development process destroys the soil microbiome that is needed by healthy trees. Soil genomics is a powerful tool for landscape architects to better understand the soil microbiome they are designing plants in and to restore healthy soils.

Learning Outcomes:

Explain the benefits of healthy trees and the importance of nurturing them to maturity, beginning with healthy soil.
Describe how the building process destroys the soil microbiome needed by the trees and what is missing in current practices.
Explain the basics of soil genomics and the factors in an urban environment that affect the soil microbiome, with examples comparing built and natural environments.
Employ technologies that promote and boost the soil microbiome and its underground community, including microbials, insects, organic matter, water, and air.