ALTERRA

As a centre of knowledge, Wageningen UR already plays a leading role in this process and wishes to expand further. This will be achieved in close cooperation with government and industry (the ‘golden triangle’), and fellow institutes and universities in the Netherlands and abroad. Furthermore, strong roots in the region and a central position in Food Valley has resulted in a close interaction with practical experiences. The combination of Wageningen University, the Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and (nine) applied research institutes (the DLO Foundation) means Wageningen UR is superbly equipped to deal with the issues at hand. The three mutually connected elements, each with their own role and position in the knowledge and innovation process, are: > University research and education of the highest quality, focused on frontier research, with a strong appeal to the best scientists and students worldwide. > Professional education, with a professional course of study and internationally oriented themes closely embedded in regional innovation processes. > Applied research with a solid scientific foundation and a firm position in the contract research market specialised in the further development of green knowledge in actual innovations. Alterra's - wageningen UR Soil Science Centre is involved in both research and education in soil science and in all aspects of land use. The centre conducts research on the physical, chemical and biological processes within soils and their mutual interaction – as well as the conditions which affect soil processes and the effect soil processes have on the environmental quality of air and water. Research is conducted on local, regional, national and global scales and contributes to sustainable soil use and sustainable design and management of the environment. Important issues driving research activities within the centre include maintaining soil biodiversity, maintaining clean ground water and surface water, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and chemical soil pollution, and creating sustainable (organic) agricultural systems.