*Global CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*
*for sustainable agriculture and land management*
Dear Subscribers,
Please see herebelow the latest IUSS Alert 155.
Apologoes for any cross-posting.
Amir Kassam
Moderator
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca
*Conservation Agriculture is based on the practical application of three
interlinked principles of: (i) Continuous no or minimum mechanical soil
disturbance (no-till seeding/planting and no-till weeding); (ii) permanent
maintenance of soil much cover (crop biomass, stubble and cover crops); and
(iii) diversification of cropping system (rotations and/or sequences and/or
associations involving annuals and perennials, including legumes), along
with other complementary good agricultural production management practices*
(more at: www.fao.org/ag/ca)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The International Union of Soil Sciences - IUSS <
[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sun, May 27, 2018 at 10:51 PM
Subject: IUSS Alert 155 (May 2018)
To: [log in to unmask]
If you have problems reading this content - please follow this link to the
IUSS page <http://iuss.boku.ac.at/index.php?article_id=691>
[image: IUSS Logo]
IUSS Alert 155 (May 2018)
[image: Facebook Logo]
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Union-of-Soil-Sciences/291392794207721>
[image:
Linked in Logo]
<http://www.linkedin.com/groups/IUSS-International-Union-Soil-Sciences-2871883/about>
Contributions to the next IUSS Bulletin 132
The IUSS Secretariat ([log in to unmask]) would like to thank all IUSS
members for their contributions to our next IUSS Bulletin 132 which shall
be published in June 2018.
____________________________________________________________
_________________
IUSS Special Alert on personal data protection – Reminder
According to the European General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679
coming into force on May 25, 2018, the IUSS Secretariat located in Vienna,
Austria, is obliged to ask all subscribers to the IUSS Alert for their
explicit consent to further use their personal data (name and email
address) for the purpose of sending them the Alert after May 25, 2018. IUSS
has prepared an online tool asking all subscribers to provide their name
and email address for the subscription list. A special Alert was sent out
in the beginning of May, and a reminder was sent on 20 May.
Please click this link to subscribe
<https://iuss.boku.ac.at/index.php?article_id=685> if you have not done so
already.
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Progress with the 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. At the time of writing this
Alert, 34 letters of intent to submit a chapter on proverbs have been
submitted. We are very much appreciating this engagement and look forward
to receive the chapters until June 30.
____________________________________________________________
_________________
General News
Call for Entries – Best Film on the Topic of Soil 2018
During the Innsbruck Nature Film Festival (INFF), an international film
competition on nature and environment held from October 9-12 in Innsbruck
(Austria), a special prize worth 2.000 € will be awarded for the best film
on the topic of soil. All films submitted to the INFF with contributions to
the following topics will be assessed: soil quality, soil function, land
use, land consumption, land grabbing, soil threats, protection of soil,
soil ecology, soil biodiversity and food security.
The deadline for applications is: July 15, 2018.
Read more: http://www.inff.eu/en/
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Report sounds alarm on soil pollution
Soil pollution poses a worrisome threat to agricultural productivity, food
safety, and human health, but far too little is known about the scale and
severity of that threat, warns a new FAO report released at the start of a
global symposium. Industrialization, war, mining and the intensification of
agriculture have all left a legacy of soil contamination across the planet,
while the growth of cities has seen soil used as a sink for ever greater
amounts of municipal waste, says Soil Pollution: A Hidden Reality. But even
though agricultural intensification, industrial output, and urbanization
continue at a rapid pace, no systematic assessment of the status of soil
pollution at global level has ever been undertaken, FAO’s new report notes.
Read more: http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1126971/icode/
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Land degradation threatens millions, according to first-ever land health
report
Most climate science focuses on the atmosphere and the ocean, but a new
report puts the health of Earth’s land front and center – and the diagnosis
isn’t good. According to the first-ever land health report, produced by
scientists with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, or IPBES, some 75 percent of the
planet’s land areas are significantly degraded. The land’s ill health
threatens billions of people and the ecosystem services those people rely
on.
Read more: https://www.upi.com/Land-degradation-threatens-
millions-according-to-first-ever-land-health-report/8311522156604/
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Copper distribution in European Union topsoils
Copper (Cu) distribution in soil is influenced by climatic, geological and
pedological factors. Apart from geological sources and industrial
pollution, other anthropogenic sources, related to agricultural activity,
may increase Cu levels in soils, especially in permanent crops. In a recent
publication, we developed a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) using 21,682
soil samples from the LUCAS topsoil survey to investigate copper
distribution in the soils of 25 European Union (EU) Member States.
Regression analysis shows the importance of topsoil properties, land cover
and climate in estimating Cu concentration. A regression model confirms our
hypothesis that different agricultural management practices have a relevant
influence on Cu concentration. Besides the traditional use of copper as a
fungicide for treatments in several permanent crops, the combined effect of
soil properties (high pH, soil organic carbon and clay), with humid and wet
climatic conditions favours copper accumulation in soils of vineyards and
tree crops. The data are available in ESDAC.
Read more: https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/copper-
distribution-topsoils
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Update on European Landslide Susceptibility Map version 2 (ELSUS v2)
In addition to the landslide susceptibility map and the related confidence
level map previously available, ancillary datasets prepared for the spatial
multi-criteria evaluation model used to produce ELSUS v2, including
climate-physiographic regions, slope angle, lithology, and land cover, are
now available for download from the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC).
Read more: https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/european-landslide-
susceptibility-map-elsus-v2
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Can Dirt Save the Earth?
Agriculture could pull carbon out of the air and into the soil — but it
would mean a whole new way of thinking about how to tend the land.
Read more: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/magazine/dirt-save-
earth-carbon-farming-climate-change.html
____________________________________________________________
_________________
We have no idea how much microplastic is in Australia’s soil (but it could
be a lot)
Microplastics in the ocean, pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size, have
shot to infamy in the last few years. Governments and businesses targeted
microbeads in cosmetics, some were banned, and the world felt a little
better. Dealing with microbeads in cosmetics is a positive first step, but
the reality is Microplastics in soil may be a far greater problem.
Norwegian research estimates that in Europe and North America, between
110,000 and 730,000 tonnes of microplastic are transferred to agricultural
soils each year.
Read more: http://theconversation.com/we-have-no-idea-how-much-
microplastic-is-in-australias-soil-but-it-could-be-a-lot-96858
____________________________________________________________
_________________
6000 farmers can’t be wrong on how to end climate war politics
And Australia’s National Soils Advocate Major General Michael Jeffery says
more than 6000 farmers have so far agreed with his theory on how to call a
truce on the so called decade-long ‘climate wars’. His battle-plan to
broker political peace involves starting with the grass roots impacts that
schemes like a carbon tax can have on Australia’s farmers; rather than
making them an afterthought of public policy, and to then wear the brunt of
increased costs. A strategic map to political victory has been detailed in
Major General Jeffery’s latest report, ‘Restore the Soil: Prosper the
Nation’.
https://www.farmonline.com.au/story/5378121/6000-farmers-
cant-be-wrong-on-how-to-end-climate-war-politics/?cs=5373
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Why This Dust Storm in India Turned Deadly,
Dust storms are an annual weather pattern seen in northern part of India.
The scale and intensity of this most recent storm, however, surprised
officials on the ground. It stretched from the western state of Rajasthan
to the eastern state of Uttar Pradesh and hit Delhi, which lies between
them.
Read more: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/
05/india-dust-storm-wind-fatalities-science-spd/
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Conferences, Meetings and Workshops2018
10th International Symposium on Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH 2018
(10th PSILPH2018)
June 25-28, 2018, Palm Garden Hotel, IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, Malaysia.
In line with the symposium theme “Achieving Sustainable Food Production on
Acid Soils, the 10th PSILPH2018 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.
Registration deadline: 31st May 2018
Read more: www.psilph2018.com
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Second International Young Scientists Forum on Soil and Water Conservation
27-31 August 2018, Moscow. This forum will address challenges/actions of
soil and water management in the changing world, Climate change and human
impacts as drivers of erosion, sediment dynamics, and river morphology
transformation.
Read more: http://www.eng.geogr.msu.ru/IYFSWC/home.php
____________________________________________________________
_________________
British Society of Soil Science 2018 Annual Conference “Soils and
Sustainable Development Goals”
4-5 September 2018, Lancaster, United Kingdom. Soils are crucial for
sustainable development, and healthy soils are central to achieving many of
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Featuring keynote
speakers addressing issues including Soils and Food Security, Climate
Change and Health and Water Quality the conference will provide an
opportunity to focus on soils and sustainable development.
Abstract submission deadline: midnight Sunday 10th June 2018
Registration is now open
Read more: https://www.soils.org.uk/node/1175
____________________________________________________________
_________________
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
The Soils of Ireland
Edited by Creamer, Rachel and O’Sullivan, Lilian. Published in the World
Soils Book Series, 1st ed. 2018, XIX, 300 pages, 188 illustrations, 178
illustrations in colour, ISBN 978-3-319-71189-8, price hardcover: 119,99 €
| £109.99 | $149.99; e-book: 101,14 € | £87.50 | $109.00.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of pedology in Ireland. It
describes the main soil types of the country, their functions, ecological
use, and the conditions to which they were subjected associated with
management over time. In addition, it presents a complete set of data,
pictures and maps, including benchmark profiles. Factors involved in soil
formation are also discussed, making use of new, unpublished data and
elaborations. The book was produced with the support and sponsorship of
Teagasc, The Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ireland and the
Irish Environmental Protection Agency.
Read more: https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783319711881
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Soil Carbon Storage Modulators, Mechanisms and Modeling
Edited by Brajesh Singh. 1st Edition published in April 2018 by Academic
Press, 340 pages, Paperback ISBN: 9780128127667, eBook ISBN: 9780128127674,
price paperback: € 100.05, price eBook: €130.90.
This tome takes a novel approach to the issue of soil carbon storage by
considering soil C sequestration as a function of the interaction between
biotic (e.g. microbes and plants) and abiotic (climate, soil types,
management practices) modulators as a key driver of soil C. These
modulators are central to C balance through their processing of C from both
plant inputs and native soil organic matter. This book considers this
concept in the light of state-of-the-art methodologies that elucidate these
interactions and increase our understanding of a vitally important, but
poorly characterized component of the global C cycle.
The book provides soil scientists with a comprehensive, mechanistic,
quantitative and predictive understanding of soil carbon storage. It
presents a new framework that can be included in predictive models and
management practices for better prediction and enhanced C storage in soils.
Read more: https://www.elsevier.com/books/soil-carbon-storage/
singh/978-0-12-812766-7
____________________________________________________________
_________________
The Future of Soil Carbon
Edited by Carlos Garcia, Paolo Nannipieri, Teresa Hernandez. 1st Edition
published in April 2018 by Academic Press, 288 pages, Paperback ISBN:
9780128116876, eBook ISBN: 9780128116883, price paperback: € 100.05, price
eBook: € 111.27.
*The Future of Soil Carbon: Its Conservation and Formation* provides
readers with an integrative approach to understanding the important role of
organic carbon in soil functioning and fertility. Terrestrial interactions
between SOC and complex human-natural systems require new fundamental and
applied research into regional and global SOC budgets. This book provides
new and synthesized information on the dynamics of SOC in the terrestrial
environment. In addition to rigorous state-of-the art on soil science, the
book also provides strategies to avoid risks of soil carbon losses. Soil
organic carbon (SOC) is a vital component of soils, with important and
far-reaching effects on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Human
activities over the last several decades have significantly changed the
regional and global balance of SOC, greatly exacerbati ng global warming
and climate change.
Read more: https://www.elsevier.com/books/the-future-of-soil-
carbon/garcia/978-0-12-811687-6
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Guidelines for Soil Description and Classification: Central and Eastern
European Students’ Version
By Świtoniak M., Kabała C., Karklins A., Charzyński P., Hulisz P., Mendyk
Ł., Michalski A., Novák T. J., Penížek V., Reintam E., Repe B., Saksa M.,
Vaisvalavičius R., Waroszewski J., 2018. Polish Society of Soil Science,
Toruń: 1–286.
This book is divided into three parts. The first one – Site and soil
description – follows the layout and content of professional edition of
Guidelines for Soil Description, 4th ed., published by FAO (2006),
simplified for educational purposes. The order of description has been
modified to correspond to the layout of an original Soil description sheet.
The second part – Soil classification – is a simplified WRB classification
(based on a 2014/2015 edition) limited to reference soil groups known from
Central Europe. The third part is an Illustrated explanatory guide that
includes: i) examples of typical soil profiles for all Central European
Reference Soil Groups; ii) morphological features important for soil
description and identification in the field; iii) soil- landscape
relationships. The photos have been enriched with graphical tips helpful at
the recognizing of important soil features. PDF can be freely downloaded
on Research Gate and Nicolaus Copernicus University repository.
Read more: https://repozytorium.umk.pl/bitstream/handle/item/5216/
Switoniak_Guidelines.pdf?sequence=8
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Soil Sequences Atlas II
Edited by M. Świtoniak & P. Charzyński, Machina Druku ,Toruń: 248, ISBN:
978-83-949297-7-0
This is the second book in the series of Soil Sequence Atlases. The first
volume was published in 2014. Main pedogeographic features are presented in
the form of sequences to give a comprehensive picture of soils – their
genesis and correlations with the environment in typical landscapes of
Central Europe from Estonia furthest north, through Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary to the southernmost
Slovenia. Soils of natural landscapes – are presented, as well as those of
plains of various origin, karst lands, low mountains, and anthropically
modified soils. Each chapter presents soil profiles supplemented by
landscape information and basic analytical data. Then, genetic
interpretations of soil properties related to soil forming agents are given
as schematic catenas. The main objective of this book is to present the
diversity of relations between soil and landscape, climate, hydrology and
human relations, and to present interpretations reflecting th e World
Reference Base for Soil Resources (2015) classification with comments on
the choice of qualifiers. PDF can be freely downloaded on Research Gate and
in Nicolaus Copernicus University repository.
Read more: https://repozytorium.umk.pl/bitstream/handle/item/5216/
Switoniak_Guidelines.pdf?sequence=4
____________________________________________________________
_________________
Advertisements
financially supported
*PR2 Profile Probe – accurate soil moisture profiles down to 40 cm and 100
cm*
*Analog and Digital (SDI-12) versions available*
__________________________________________________
- *Accurate moisture content – not just trends*
- *Minimal soil disturbance*
- *Low salinity and temperature sensitivity*
- *Dual purpose – portable readings and installed monitoring*
The PR2 Profile Probe enables you to monitor soil water profiles with ease
and flexibility. Simply install an access tube into the soil, insert the
PR2 Profile Probe and connect the meter to display an instantaneous
reading, or connect the PR2 to a data logger and leave the system to record
soil moisture changes over time.
The PR2 is built around patented sensing technology which provides
unprecedented performance in all soil types, with minimal influence from
either salinity or temperature. The PR2/4 model measures soil moisture at 4
depths down to 40 cm – the PR2/6 measures at 6 depths down to 100 cm.
Probes are available with either analog or SDI-12 outputs, enabling
integration with a wide range of data loggers, sensors and equipment.
More information on the PR2 Profile Probe
<https://www.delta-t.co.uk/product/pr2/>
____________________________________________________________
_________________
[image: Logo of the international decade of soils 2015-2024]
IUSS Alerts are e-mailed to nearly 9,000 people in over 100 countries.
Please forward the IUSS Alerts to your friends and colleagues. Send
information for IUSS Alerts to [log in to unmask]
The IUSS is on LinkedIn
<http://www.linkedin.com/groups/IUSS-International-Union-Soil-Sciences-2871883/about>
and Facebook
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Union-of-Soil-Sciences/291392794207721>
*If you wish to unsubscribe, please send an email to
[log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>*
########################################################################
To unsubscribe from the CA-Cop-L list, click the following link:
https://listserv.fao.org/scripts/wa-fao.exe?SUBED1=CA-COP-L
|