The Thin Skin of the Earth – Our Soils

The soil beneath our feet is alive!
 

For a long time, the living creatures in soil were literally a hidden chapter of biology. Even today, many people are not fully aware of their importance. For most of us, soil is simply the ground on which we stand. However, soil actually means much more. Unsealed soil is essential for life and - like clean water and oxygen-rich air - an indispensable resource.
 

The exhibition shows the biodiversity and coexistence of organisms in soil. It also addresses soil development, soil diversity, soil research and the destruction of fertile soils.

A special attraction are lifelike, detailed models of small geobionts such as predatory mites and pseudoscorpions.

We destroy fertile soil every day. The exhibition aims to draw attention to this loss and its consequences by bringing the topic to the public's attention. Soil deserves intensive research as well as our protection and highest appreciation.
 

By destroying soil, we are depriving future generations of an essential basis for life. Sealed soils can no longer store carbon, which accelerates climate change. And once soils do not have access to air and water any longer, they are usually lost forever.

From 2018 to 2021, an additional 11.3 hectares of land were taken up every day in Austria for, for example, new construction projects. And there is no prospect of an end to this excessive land consumption. 

The exhibition "The Thin Skin of the Earth - our Soils” as well as the additional programs offer lots of interesting information about current soil issues.
 

Let's not lose the ground under our feet by recklessly destroying our soil!