ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

International Soil Reference and Information Centre

The International Soil Reference and Information Centre is a special place where people collect and store information and samples of soil from all around the world so that scientists can study and understand more about soil. Soil is the stuff that plants grow in and that covers the ground, and it comes in different types and colors depending on where it's from.

Imagine if you went on a trip to many different countries and collected some souvenirs like postcards, toys, or shells - well, the people who work at the International Soil Reference and Information Centre do something like that, but instead of collecting souvenirs, they collect samples of soil from different places.

They label and organize each sample so that they can keep track of where it came from and other information like the type of plants that grow in that soil, what kind of weather it has, and what minerals or nutrients are in it. This information can help them understand how soil and plants interact, how to make soil healthier, and how to grow more food to feed people.

So, the International Soil Reference and Information Centre is kind of like a huge library of soil information that scientists can use to learn more about our planet and how to take care of it.