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From:
Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 29 Jul 2018 06:27:13 +0100
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*Global CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*

*for sustainable agriculture and land management*

Dear Subscribers,

Please see herebelow the IUSS Alert 157 (July 2018).

Apologies for any cross-posting.

*Amir Kassam *

*Moderator*

e-mail: [log in to unmask]
URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca



*Conservation Agriculture is an ecosystem approach to sustainable
agriculture and land management based on the practical application of
locally adapted  three interlinked principles of: (i) Continuous no or
minimum mechanical soil disturbance (no-till seeding/planting and weeding,
and minimum soil disturbance with all other farm operations including
harvesting);  (ii) permanent maintenance of soil much cover (crop biomass,
stubble and cover crops); and (iii) diversification of cropping system
(environmentally, economically and socially adapted rotations and/or
sequences and/or associations involving annuals and perennials, including
legumes and cover crops), along with other complementary good agricultural
production and land management practices* (more at: www.fao.org/ag/ca).

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The International Union of Soil Sciences - IUSS <
[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sat, Jul 28, 2018 at 5:48 PM
Subject: IUSS Alert 157 (July 2018)
To: Amir Kassam <[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=694>

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IUSS Alert 157 (July 2018)

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21st World Congress of Soil Science in Rio

With less than 3 weeks to go, the last preparations are being made for this
major soil science event to be held 12-17 August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
IUSS will be represented at booth no 32 in the exhibition hall. We are
looking forward to seeing you there!

Read more: https://www.21wcss.org/

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21st WCSS full schedule on your phone – App Launch

The Organizing Committee of the 21st World Congress of Soil Science is
pleased to present the event’s app. The application, available for Android
and iOS platforms, will be the official tool for publicizing the programme
(conferences, symposium, meetings, etc), speakers, poster, sponsors,
exhibitors and other information about the WCSS and the Convention Center.
Moreover, you can use the app to set a personal agenda. This way you will
not miss favorite presentations or meetings.
To install it, go to the link below or use the QR Code. After installation
of the app it is important to create an in-app login to allow interaction
among participants of the WCSS.

http://moblee.app.link/?slug=SJp8vK3Pz
[image: 21WCSS app QR Code]

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IUSS participates in ICSU Grant Project “TROP-ICSU” – request for input,
reminder

TROP-ICSU stands for Trans-disciplinary Research Oriented Pedagogy for
Improving Climate Studies and Understanding. As already reported in
previous Alerts, the project aims to improve awareness of climate change
and the science behind it among students and the general public by
developing teaching aids for teachers and science communication modules for
the general public.

Within the framework of this project, IUSS is helping to carry out a
preliminary survey among educators on Teaching Toolkits for school and
undergraduate teachers (educators) to understand how topics related to
climate change are currently discussed in the classroom in different parts
of the world. This survey, which is available in English, Catalan, Chinese,
French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese Portuguese, and Spanish should
take approximately 8-10 minutes to complete. Responses will be treated as
confidential and will be used for our research purposes in the project
only. IUSS should be very grateful for your input.

Complete the online survey: https://tropicsu.org/educators-survey/
Read more: https://tropicsu.org/

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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, the majority of the 35 intended chapters on proverbs has been
submitted and is being reviewed.

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Eurosoil 2020 – Programme preparation and Call to join Steering Committees

The Swiss Soil Science Society is proud to welcome the European soil
community on 23-28th August 2020 to the Eurosoil 2020 in Geneva. Our
objective is to “connect people and soil”. The organizing committee led by
Prof. Pascal Boivin, has started to prepare a program accordingly. Eurosoil
2020 shall be not only a pure scientific conference. It strives to attract,
apart from scientists, representatives of soil-related stakeholders and the
interested public, and to give them a stage for their soil-related issues.
Therefore, we need your feedback and your contribution.

In a first step, we have defined 6 conference themes based on specific
Sustainable Development Goals as defined by the United Nations. Brief
descriptions and a preliminary list of topics shall be the basis for an
open call for symposia/events to be launched this autumn.

We ask you for your feedback on these six conference themes. Specific
questions to be answered: (i) In general, do you think that these themes
can be the basis for a conference with objectives as set out above? (ii)
Are important items missing? (iii) Should certain proposed themes/topics
not be included? Suggestions for changes, additions and omissions are most
welcome.

Moreover, we want Eurosoil2020 to depart from the classical symposia forms
whenever it is necessary. In line with the overall objective, we aim at a
diversified mixture of classic oral sessions with a broad range of
interactive symposia and events (e.g. PICO, world cafes, panel discussions,
Rapid fire, ….). You may suggest any original form of exchange and debate
around this question, such as lunch sessions, debates etc. Our Professional
Congress Organizer (MCI) is particularly engaged in innovative forms of
scientific events and we are open to this.

Finally, we are looking for volunteers to join one or more Steering
Committees for the different themes or sub-topics, and for young scientists
to help us boost young scientist’s involvement. The task of the steering
committees is mainly to help with launching the call for proposals for each
SDG Theme in autumn 2018 and in creating an exciting program by evaluating
the proposed symposia/events in spring/summer 2019.

We would appreciate your feedback by mid of September 2018. Should you have
questions, you may approach any member of the organizing committee (
eurosoil2020.com).

Pascal Boivin, President ECSSS and Organizing Committee Eurosoil 2020,
[log in to unmask]

Read more: https://iuss.boku.ac.at/files/eurosoil_2020_pre-programm.pdf

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General News
Michael Stocking († 2018)

With sadness, the British Soil Science Society announces the death of
Michael Stocking, Prof Emeritus in the School of International Development,
on 21 May 2018. He completed his PhD at Oxford University in 1969 and, over
almost 50 years, developed an international profile and reputation as a
researcher and adviser in tropical agricultural development, land
resources, conservation of biodiversity and soil conservation. He was one
of very few soil scientists known by anthropologists and political economy
specialists.

Read more: https://www.uea.ac.uk/alumni/your-uea/latest-news/prof-
michael-stocking

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International Science Council held first General Assembly in Paris

The International Science Council (ISC), formed from the merger of two
organizations representing the natural and social sciences, held its
inaugural General Assembly in Paris on July 4. In a historic meeting hosted
by the French Académie des Sciences, the International Council for Science (
ICSU) and the International Social Science Council (ISSC) merged to form
the International Science Council, a unique global non-governmental
organization representative of both the natural and social sciences.

[from the ISC Special Newsletter, 6 July 2018]

Read more: https://mailchi.mp/icsu/l55rfn3vbl-699877?e=95903252eb

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Listening to earthworms burrowing and roots growing – acoustic signatures
of soil biological activity

Soil is a critical living system that supports key biogeochemical cycles, a
rich array of ecological processes, and contributes to numerous ecosystems
services. The complex aggregation and arrangement of mineral and organic
soil constituents give rise to an important and fragile trait called soil
structure, considered central to soil agro-ecological functioning. Soil
structure results from a dynamic equilibrium that may take decades to build
but seconds to alter (e.g., passage of a heavy vehicle), and reported
recovery times from such damage range from months to centuries. The
maintenance of favourable soil structure for agricultural production is
particularly challenging due to its sensitivity to tillage and other
aspects of crop management. For example, it is estimated that about 68 Mha
of land worldwide are affected by soil compaction, highlighting the
importance of soil structure management for sustainable agricultural
production and environment protection.

Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-28582-9

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Novel soil bacteria possess diverse genes for secondary metabolite
biosynthesis

In soil ecosystems, microorganisms produce diverse secondary metabolites
such as antibiotics, antifungals and siderophores that mediate
communication, competition and interactions with other organisms and the
environment.
Most known antibiotics are derived from a few culturable microbial taxa and
the biosynthetic potential of the vast majority of bacteria in soil has
rarely been investigated.

Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0207-y.
epdf?shared_access_token=AaRnTrLVF6Z_lWZie-UwUNRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0NhPqqq
q2tyNkbsR6YIQw4Z_qLzjWeRD_atLdsncOox_MI5pzoyJVqWnrLY6H4HBJTItQZrBsx
lucEoZ9v7Y4FbtCZEOUmZc4JN40JW0T6lCr7zOIIAbfhbqIMdNCoFNvk%3D

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Heatwave unveils ancient settlements in Wales

The dry spell has left parched fields with unmistakable “crop marks”
painted into the landscape.

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (
RCAHMW) has been busy recording the details – before they disappear when it
next rains.

The crop marks are made by vegetation drawing on better nutrients and water
supplies trapped in long-gone fortification ditches – leading to lush green
growth that stands out.

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-wales-44746447?__twitter_impression=true

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Field, Lab, Earth Podcast is launched by ASA, CSSA, SSSA

Field, Lab, Earth is the podcast all about past and present advances in the
fields of agronomic, crop, soil, and environmental sciences. A joint
production of the Tri-Societies, the American Society of Agronomy, Crop
Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, it
features interviews with authors published in our journals, books, and
magazines. Opinions and conclusions expressed by authors are their own and
are not considered as those of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop
Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, its staff, its
members, or its advertisers.

See podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/field-lab-earth/
id1398459753

[From the ASA-CSSA-SSSA Science Policy Report, 27 June 2018]

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Journal of Environmental Quality (July-August): Special Issue on Predicting
Soil Organic Carbon in Agroecosystems under Climate Change

Adapting to the anticipated impacts of climate change is a pressing issue
facing agriculture, as precipitation and temperature changes are expected
to have major effects on agricultural production in many regions of the
world. These changes will also affect soil organic matter decomposition and
associated stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC), which have the potential to
feedback to climate change and affect agroecosystem resiliency. This
special issue brings together multiple efforts to assess effects of climate
change on SOC stocks around the globe in grassland, pasture, and crop
agroecosystems under varying management practices. The overall goal of
these efforts is to identify optimum practices to enhance SOC accumulation.
Fourteen of the 20 contributions apply dynamic process-based models to
assess climate and/or long-term management impacts on SOC stocks, and four
papers u se statistical SOC models across landscapes or regions. Also
included are one meta-analysis and one long-term study.

[Gollany and Venterea, 2018 (from the Introductory paper in the Special
Issue)]

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Conferences, Meetings and Workshops2018
Alpine Soil Partnership Symposium in Bavaria

7 November 2018, Bavaria, Germany. Sustainable soil management means
adapting land uses to changing climate conditions. Especially in forestry
this long-term perspective needs to be taken into account. How can living
soils help us meet future challenges? We cordially invite you to the Alpine
Symposium on Regional Solutions for Climate Resilient Municipalities and
Sustainable Soil Management.

Read more: http://www.alpine-space.eu/projects/links4soils/news/
links4soils_munich_alpine_symposium_nov2018.pdf

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NARO-MARCO International Symposium on Nitrogen Cycling and Its
Environmental Impacts in East Asia

19-22 November 2018, Tsukuba, Japan. Nitrogen is a prerequisite for all
living things on earth. The remarkable population growth and economic
development of the past half century in East Asia have been realized with a
large increase in the anthropogenic production and use of “reactive
nitrogen” for supplying food, energy, and other materials. However,
negative impacts to the local, regional, and global environments as a
consequence of the excessive use of anthropogenic reactive nitrogen have
been concerned and the development of appropriate management system of
reactive nitrogen has been an urgent issue in East Asia and the world. This
symposium aims to share the current information and knowledge and exchange
opinions among participants on the nitrogen cycling and its environmental
impacts in East Asia and the world;

Read more: https://www.naro.affrc.go.jp/english/events/laboratory/
niaes/081536.html

Download 2nd circular: https://iuss.boku.ac.at/files/secondcircular_naro_
ver20180704.pdf

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New publications
Soil and Sustainable Development Goals

Edited by Rattan Lal, Rainer Horn and Takashi Kosaki. Published in the
series GeoEcology Essays in July 2018 by Schweizerbart. 196 pages, 49
figures, 21 tables, ISBN 978-3-510-65425-3, US-ISBN 1-59326-269-8, price
paperback EUR 29.90; reduced price for IUSS members: EUR 25.00 (plus
shipping costs).

In 2015, the UN formulated seventeen global Sustainable Development Goals (
SDGs), among them ending poverty, eliminating hunger, protecting the planet
and ensuring peace and prosperity. Although judicious management of soils
is critical to advancing most of these goals, the word soil is not once
mentioned in any of these laudable goals. SDG#15, for example, mentions
land degradation but does not specifically focus on soils. In line with
previous UN programs, SDGs thus reflect an utter lack of awareness of the
importance of the most basic of all natural resources on which depends all
terrestrial life – soils.
Consequently, this book aims to document the importance of soil and soil
protection to reaching these Sustainable Development Goals. This
fifteen-chapter book, authored by experienced and knowledgeable researchers
from around the world, is a synthesis of the knowledge and state-of-the-
science, linking soil properties and processes to specific SDGs. The volume
highlights individual soil related aspects of these SDGs, such as the
contribution of soil science, soil management and use,
measures to minimize erosion, climatic effects, carbon sequestration by
soils, soil restoration, the role hydrology plays in sustainable soil
management, ways to preserve soil structure of fertile volcanic soils.
Soil and water pollution, which must be controlled in order to preserve
soil and environmental health are also discussed. Other chapters deal with
how to convince the general public of the usefulness of the SDGs and point
out how the public may contribute to them, ways to manage Chernozems and
the role IUSS plays in furthering and implementing the soil related
measures are also discussed herein.

Read more: www.schweizerbart.com/9783510654253
<http://iuss.boku.ac.at/www.schweizerbart.com/9783510654253>

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Managing soil health for sustainable agriculture Volume 1: Fundamentals

Edited by Don Reicosky. Published in July 2018 by Burleigh Dodds Science
Publishing. 340 pages, ISBN-13: 9781786761880, price hardback £160.00.

There has been growing concern that both intensive agriculture in the
developed world and rapid expansion of crop cultivation in developing
countries is damaging the health of soils which are the foundation of
farming. At the same time we are discovering much more about how complex
soils are as living biological systems. This volume reviews the latest
research on soil science. After an overview of the role of soil as a
provider of ecosystem services and in conservation agriculture, the book
reviews soil structure and chemistry as well organic matter, soil
microorganisms and fauna. The second part of the book discusses soil
dynamics, from water and nutrient cycles to carbon capture and erosion
mechanisms.

Read more: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/checkout/Store/bds/Detail/
WorkGroup/3-190-56260

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Managing soil health for sustainable agriculture Volume 2: Monitoring and
management

Edited by Don Reicosky. Published in July 2018 by Burleigh Dodds Science
Publishing. 458 pages, ISBN-13: 9781786761927, price hardback £200.00.
This second volume of what is likely to become a standard reference for
soil scientists and agronomists as well as the farming community and
government agencies responsible for monitoring soil health discusses key
methods for monitoring soil health, gives a comprehensive review of
techniques to manage soil health from no-till and conservation tillage
techniques to the use of rotations, intercropping and cover crops and
includes case studies of ways of supporting smallholders in maintaining
soil health in regions such as Africa, Asia and South America.

Read more: https://shop.bdspublishing.com/checkout/Store/bds/Detail/
WorkGroup/3-190-56261

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