Chronological account of notable achievements by heritage scientist, Thomas William Walker
Thomas William Walker, a distinguished figure in the field of soil science, made significant contributions to agricultural chemistry and soil research throughout his illustrious career. Born on 2 July 1916 in Shepshed, Leicestershire, England, Walker's journey began at Loughborough Grammar School.
In 1937, he was awarded a Royal Scholarship and graduated with a BSc First Class Honours from the Royal College of Science London. This was followed by another milestone in 1939, when he was awarded both the Diploma of Imperial College and a PhD in Agricultural Chemistry from the Royal College of Science London.
Walker's early career saw him investigating alternative forms of phosphate fertiliser at Rothamsted Experimental Station in 1939. His ground-breaking research earned him a Salter's Scholarship for two years to work at Rothamsted. In 1941, he was appointed Lecturer and Adviser in Agricultural Chemistry at Manchester University.
The turning point in Walker's career came in 1952 when he arrived in New Zealand with his family to take up an appointment as Foundation Professor of Soil Science. Here, he began adopting a soil sequence approach in field studies of soil fertility, a ground-breaking research that marked a significant shift in the understanding of soil formation and fertility.
Over the following two decades, Walker's research group conducted key field trials throughout Canterbury, assessing the effects of phosphorus, nitrogen, molybdenum, and sulfur on biological nitrogen fixation by clovers. His work at Lincoln College (now University) continued throughout the 1970s, contributing to the studies of soil sequences.
Swiss-American Hans Jenny's work in the mid to late 19th century laid the foundation for understanding soil properties. Jenny developed a generic mathematical relationship that connected the observed properties of soil with the independent factors determining soil formation. He published his seminal text, Factors of Soil Formation, in 1941.
Walker's contributions to soil science in New Zealand are not comprehensively documented, but his work has had a lasting impact on agricultural productivity, environmental conservation, and policy development related to land use. His legacy continues to influence national initiatives aimed at preserving natural resources and promoting sustainable practices.
In 1985, Walker was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to agriculture and soil science. The 4 per 1000 Initiative, launched at the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2015, proposed an annual 0.4% increase in soil carbon sequestration to help offset CO2 emissions, further highlighting the importance of soil science in addressing global challenges.
In recent years, soil mapping has moved online with the development of S-map Online, a digital soil map and national soils database, in 2004. As we continue to understand and appreciate the intricacies of soil science, the legacy of pioneers like Thomas William Walker remains invaluable.
Thomas William Walker, after his brilliant academic journey in health-and-wellness through his education at Loughborough Grammar School and the Royal College of Science London, ventured into fitness-and-exercise by investigating alternative phosphate fertiliser. His mental-health and personal-growth were fueled by his ground-breaking research in agricultural chemistry, as evidenced by his milestones like the Salter's Scholarship and the Foundation Professor of Soil Science appointment.
Walker's career development continued with his focus on nutrition and aging, as he conducted key field trials on the effects of phosphorus, nitrogen, molybdenum, and sulfur on biological nitrogen fixation by clovers. His contributions to education-and-self-development, particularly in the field of soil science, significantly shaped agricultural productivity, environmental conservation, and policy development related to land use.
Remarkably, Walker's work paved the way for understanding soil properties, mimicking the pioneering efforts of Swiss-American Hans Jenny. Today, digital tools like S-map Online carry forward his legacy, emphasizing the significance of soil science in promoting sustainable practices and addressing global challenges, such as the 4 per 1000 Initiative aimed at increasing soil carbon sequestration.
