*Global CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*
*for sustainable agriculture and land management*
Dear Subscribers,
Please see herebelow the latest IUSS Alert 154 (April 2018).
Apologies for any cross-posting.
*Amir Kassam *
*Moderator*
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca
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From: The International Union of Soil Sciences - IUSS <
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Date: Tue, May 1, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Subject: IUSS Alert 154 (April 2018)
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IUSS Alert 154 (April 2018)
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Announcement of IUSS Special Alert on personal data protection
According to the European General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679
coming into force on May 25, 2018, the IUSS Secretariat located in Vienna
is obliged to ask all subscribers to the IUSS Alert for their explicit
consent to further use their personal data (e.g. your name and email
address) in order to be allowed to send them the Alert after May 25, 2018.
For that purpose IUSS will prepare an online tool asking all subscribers to
provide their name and email address for the subscription list. A special
Alert will be sent out beginning of May. Please, do not miss it!
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IUSS Global Soil Icon Contest – results
Soil is the essence of all terrestrial life, and critical to the delivery
of major ecosystem services for human wellbeing and nature conservancy.
Thus, IUSS launched a contest looking for an iconic symbol that represents
major ecosystem services of soil, while being simple and easy to be
comprehended by the general public.
The deadline for submissions was 15 March 2018, and a total of 22
interesting soil icons were received. Here, the IUSS Secretariat would like
to thank all contestants for their stimulating submissions. The selection
committee, comprised of members of the IUSS Executive Committee, decided to
award 2,500 USD of the IUSS Stimulus fund to the winning soil icon created
by Monique Lima de Oliveira and Alessandro Samuel-Rosa (Brazil).
The winning icon will be used during the International Decade of Soils
(2015-2024), an initiative launched by the International Union of Soil
Sciences to raise awareness of the key roles played by soils.
The best 12 icons out of all submitted icons will be displayed on the IUSS
website (one per month).
Read more: https://iuss.org/index.php?article_id=588
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IUSS Presidential Elections 2018 – call for nominations still ongoing
The election of the next President of the IUSS is due this year. The
appointment of the President represents a total of six years commitment to
the Union by serving two years each as President-Elect (2019/20), President
(2021/22) and Past-President (2023/24).
The Standing Committee on Presidential Elections has defined the respective
procedure and the guidelines. Nominations should be made by two
accomplished, highly-respected senior soil scientists.
*Full nomination documentation should be submitted electronically to Roger
Swift* (Email: [log in to unmask]) by June 30, 2018. A copy should also be
sent to [log in to unmask]
Procedure and guidelines: https://iuss.boku.ac.at/files/
president_election_full_info_2018.pdf
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21st World Congress of Soil Science – Result of Mascot selection
Two mascots stood to vote until 31 March, and the winner is Armadillo
representing the Brazilian soil scientists responsible for the biggest
transformation of tropical agriculture of the planet.
Have a look: https://www.21wcss.org/?secao=conteudo&id=51
Please consider that normal registration ends May 12, 2018.
Read more: https://www.21wcss.org/
Download the congress information: https://iuss.boku.ac.at/files/
21wcss_-_meeting_information.pdf
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Richard Webster Medal 2018 – Call for nominations
You are encouraged – individually or as a group – to nominate candidates
for the Richard Webster Medal of the International Union of Soil Sciences (
IUSS), to be awarded at the 21st World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) in
Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) in August 2018 (https://www.21wcss.org/, see
above). This medal recognizes the person who has most advanced pedometrics
in the period between the IUSS WCSS of 2014 and 2018, while also
considering achievements prior to that period.
According to the IUSS, “Pedometrics” is defined as “the application of
mathematical and statistical methods for the study of the distribution and
genesis of soils”; see, however, an extended discussion of “what is
pedometrics?” at http://pedometrics.org/?page_id=26.
Nominations should be sent before June 12, 2018 to the Chairman of the
Pedometrics award committee.
Read more: https://iuss.boku.ac.at/files/webstercall2018.pdf
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IUSS book The Nexus of Soils, Plants, Animals and Human Health
This book is the third one in the series of IUSS books produced as part of
the activities during the International Decade of Soils 2015 – 2024. It was
edited by Bal Ram Singh, Michael J. McLaughlin and Eric Brevik on behalf of
the IUSS; Published as GeoEcology essay by Schweizerbart in November 2017.
VII, 163 pages, 17 figures, 12 tables, 17×24cm, 480 g. ISBN
978-3-510-65417-8.
The 21 contributions in this book describe the role soils play for plant,
animal and human health. They show that soil- and human health are
intricately connected, because healthy soils produce healthy crops, which
in turn nourish humans and animals, allowing for their health and
productivity.
The book summarizes the current state of research of these important issues
and provides a comprehensive treatise of the global importance of soils for
humankind.
Copies can be ordered directly from the publisher or from the IUSS
Secretariat for EUR 24.90 (paperback). IUSS members may order the book from
the Secretariat at a reduced price of EUR 20.00 (minimum 10 copies) –
please note that shipping costs will be added to the sales price.
Read more: http://www.schweizerbart.de/publications/detail/isbn/9783510
654178
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Request for contributions to IUSS book on Global Soil Proverbs
In 2018 – on World Soil Day (5th Dec.) – IUSS intends to publish a book on
Global Soil Proverbs which is part of the book series launched during the
International Decade of Soils 2015 – 2024. The Secretariat would like to
thank all potential authors for the numerous letters of intent which have
been submitted so far. For those who still wish to contribute a chapter on
proverbs used in their native language, please send a letter of intent to
contribute a chapter until May 10, 2018 to [log in to unmask] and in Cc
to [log in to unmask] The deadline for provision of the chapter is
June 30, 2018.
The guideline for writing a contribution to this book can be found in the
newsroom on the IUSS website: http://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=26
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General News
A grass-roots movement for healthy soil spreads among farmers
In American farm country, a grass-roots movement is spreading, a movement
to keep more roots in the soil. (Not just grass roots, of course; roots of
all kinds.) Its goal: Promoting healthy soil that’s full of life. For
years, talk of “healthy soil” was mostly limited to organic farmers and
others on the fringes of mainstream American agriculture. No more. Articles
about soil health fill major farm publications. It’s the subject of several
recent books. Big food companies are on board, and some of them are
discussing a new eco-label for food, alongside “organic” and “fair trade,”
that would reward farmers for adopting practices the build healthy soil —
what many are calling “regenerative agriculture.”
Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/04/09/597617822/a-
grass-roots-movement-for-healthy-soil-spreads-among-farmers?
org=1364&lvl=100&ite=1372&lea=140666&ctr=0&par=1&trk
Source: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Science Policy Report. 18 April 2018
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Scientists to publish first-ever land health report
Scientists have published the first-ever analysis of the global state of
land and its ability to sustain a fast-growing human population that relies
on it for 95 percent of all food. The diagnosis is likely to be dire,
providing a comprehensive overview of what other reports have already
warned: unsustainable farming, mining, factory production, and climate
change is pushing Earth to breaking point, leading to human conflict and
mass human migration. “Land degradation… affects many parts of the world
and it affects many people in the world today,” Robert Watson, chairman of
the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Services (IPBES), told AFP. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture
Organization, 95 percent of human food comes directly or indirectly from
Earth’s soil.
Read more: https://phys.org/news/2018-03-scientists-publish-first-ever-
health.html
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Special issue on “Soil Hydrology in Agriculture” – request for contributions
Since IUSS supports the exchange of soil scientists with other disciplines
we would like to announce that a special issue on “Soil Hydrology in
Agriculture” will be published by Water (ISSN 2073-4441), an open access
journal of MDPI (http://www.mdpi.com/journal/water). This special issue is
now open to receive contributions from comprehensive research articles and
complete peer review documents. The special issue aims to link soil
scientists, especially those working on issues related to soil hydrology
and agriculture, with the community of Water working on water science and
technology, and water resources management.
Read more: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/water/special_issues/soil_hydrol
ogy_agriculture
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The World Bank is working on an assessment of Human Capital in Africa in
the field of soil expertise
We ask all the soil scientists *living and working* in Africa to
participate in the survey to create a roster of experts in order to assess
the extent and level of the Human Capital available, as well as encourage
the local sourcing of expert services by the development agencies and
agribusinesses. We particularly encourage the soil scientists currently not
working as soil experts to participate in the survey in order to assess the
level of employment within this field of expertise.
Kindly take a few minutes to complete this short questionnaire
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/152N9MW4kHjHmV12muchPR-MpEnAj4pgJdVxZsDgpB1c/edit>
and invite your colleagues to do so.
Please click here to complete the questionnaire in English
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/152N9MW4kHjHmV12muchPR-MpEnAj4pgJdVxZsDgpB1c/edit>
Cliquez ici s’il vous plait a remplir le questionnaire en Français
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Tl_oRM53vGhAc81LmhzANz42Rnzb_EMb12Lg25XCTxw/edit>
Por favor, clique aqui para completar o questionário em Português
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iJUZ_DnYi58GKmJdEt-rL-u6e9F8XfDNn12IessDXlk/edit>
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Conferences, Meetings and Workshops2018
10th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON PLANT-SOIL INTERACTIONS AT LOW pH 2018
(10th PSILPH2018)
June 25-29, 2018, Palm Garden Hotel, IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, Malaysia.
In line with the symposium theme “Achieving Sustainable Food Production on
Acid Soils, the 10th PSILPH aims to gather researchers, scientists, experts
and academicians in the field of soil science, plant physiology and others
to share and discuss the latest research findings and thoughts on current
status of agriculture production and practices; thus, ensuring food
security and environmental sustainability.
Due to demand, we will be extending our abstract submission deadline.
Hence, we’re still accepting extended abstracts.
Early registration deadline: 30th April 2018
Normal registration deadline: 31st May 2018
Read more: www.psilph2018.com
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LandCare For The Future – The meeting point for educators and students
16-18 July, 2018, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The overall objective of
this conference is to improve educational and training capacities in
relation to Ecological Restoration. This is necessary to preserve our
environment and also to fulfil the demands of an emerging labour market and
create novel job opportunities.
Abstracts must be submitted before May 31, 2018
Read more: http://www.landcareforfuture.com/
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WASM 2018 – International Workshop on Archaeological Soil Micromorphology
1 – 3 August 2018, Brussels, Belgium. The workshop will follow the
tradition of the previous workshops: an informal meeting where participants
are invited to bring their thin sections and where microscopy time and the
exchange of ideas and experience prevail. Expression of interest to
[log in to unmask] by 15 May 2018.
Read more: http://iuss.boku.ac.at/files/wasm_2018_circular1.pdf
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SER Europe Conference 2018
Restoration in the Era of Climate Change
9 – 13 September 2018, Reykjavik, Iceland. The overall objective of this
workshop is to discuss educational and training capacities on land
restoration in order to a) contribute to a more resilient environment
through sustainable management and meet international commitments on land
restoration and b) to fulfil the demands of an emerging labour market with
important implication for rural development (multiplicative effect on green
economy).
Read more: https://sere2018.org/
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Soil Security and Planetary Health Conference – 3rd Global Soil Security
Conference
4-6 December 2018, the University of Sydney, Australia. Soil security
refers to the maintenance and improvement of the world’s soil resource to
produce food, fibre and fresh water, while also contributing to energy and
climate stability, maintaining biodiversity and protecting natural systems
and human wellbeing more generally. Planetary health is about safeguarding
the health and wellbeing of current and future generations through good
stewardship of Earth’s natural systems, and by re-thinking the way we feed,
move, house, power and care for the world.
Abstract submission deadline: 14 May 2018.
Read more: https://globalsoilsecurity.com/
New publications
Agricultural Drones: A Peaceful Pursuit
By K. R. Krishna. Published March 28, 2018 by Apple Academic Press, 394
pages, 28 B/W illustrations, ISBN 9781771885959, price hardcover GBP 99.20,
price e-book GBP 34.99
Agricultural drones are expected to revolutionize the way we conduct
agronomic procedures and maintain natural vegetation on earth. This book
explores the increasing importance of the role of aerial robots in managing
agricultural farms and natural resources. The book discusses the advanced
sensors and imaging capabilities of drones that give farmers new ways to
increase yields and reduce crop damage. An introductory chapter provides
historical data, with details about various models of drones as well as the
most recent and popular agricultural drones in usage. The book goes on to
look at such topics as the use of drones for soil fertility, production
agronomy, irrigation, weed control, pest and disease control, grain yield
forecasting, and economic advantages from drone use. This timely and useful
volume will be a valuable resource for faculty, agricultural extension
officers, and farmers and farm consultancy agencies. This book would also
serve as an excellent textbook for stude nts in agriculture, engineering,
geography, etc.
Read more: https://www.crcpress.com/Agricultural-Drones-A-Peaceful-
Pursuit/Krishna/p/book/9781771885959
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Soil Nitrogen Uses and Environmental Impacts
Edited by Rattan Lal, B.A. Stewart. Published in the Series: Advances in
Soil Science, March 27, 2018 by CRC Press, 380 Pages – 79 B/W
illustrations, ISBN 9781138626362, price hardback GBP 104.00
Nitrogen (N) is potentially one of the most complex elements on the Earth.
It is necessary for all biological activity, but creates negative impacts
on water and air quality. There is a balancing act between deficiency and
surplus and the forms of N available further complicate our understanding
of the dynamics. Biological fixation provides some plants with N supply
while others are totally dependent upon N being available in the soil
profile for the roots to extract. Nevertheless, the demand for N will
increase because the human population with its increasing growth requires
more protein and thus more N. Understanding the global N cycle is
imperative to meeting current and future nitrogen demands while decreasing
environmental impacts.
This book discusses availability, production, and recycling of N in air,
water, plants, and soils. It features information on N impacts to soil and
water quality, management of N in agroecosystems, and techniques to
maximize the use efficiency while minimizing the risks of leakage of
reactive N into the environment.
Read more: https://www.crcpress.com/Soil-Nitrogen-Uses-and-Environmenta
l-Impacts/Lal-Stewart/p/book/9781138626362
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