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From:
Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 25 Mar 2016 10:43:47 +0000
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*CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*

*for sustainable production intensification*


Dear Subscribers,

Please see herebelow the IUSS Alert 129 for March 2016.

Apologies for cross-posting.

*Amir Kassam *

*Moderator*

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The International Union of Soil Sciences - IUSS <
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Date: Wed, Mar 23, 2016 at 10:01 AM
Subject: IUSS Alert 129 (March 2016)
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=585>IUSS Alert 129
(March 2016)

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Request for Contributions to the next IUSS Bulletin 128

The IUSS Secretariat (Email <[log in to unmask]>) kindly invites all
IUSS members to submit their contributions for the next IUSS Bulletin 128
(to be published in June) at their earliest convenience, but no later than
15 May 2016. In particular, the Secretariat would welcome
conference/meeting reports including IYS celebrations and first activities
dedicated to the International Decade of Soils (2015-2024), answers to the
“Five Questions to a Soil Scientist” (for ideas and the list of questions
go to http://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=308), your three favourite
soil science books (for inspiration go to http://www.iuss.org/index.php?a
rticle_id=433 <http://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=433>) and any other
information you would like to share with the international soil science
community. Please make sure to send high-resolution photos only.

________________________________________________________________________________

Call for nominations for IUSS Honorary Members

In the beginning of March all presidents of IUSS National Soil Science
Societies were invited to put forward their country’s nominations for
Honorary Members to the IUSS. In line with the IUSS Byelaws, nominations
must be submitted to the IUSS Secretariat (Email <[log in to unmask]>)
by 19 May 2016 at the very latest. According to the IUSS Statutes Honorary
Members will be elected by the Council, and shall be living at the time of
election. They must be scientists of great distinction in Soil Science and
have made substantial contributions to ISSS/IUSS. The number of Honorary
Members that can be elected every four years at the InterCongress meeting
will be determined by the merit of the candidates but shall not exceed 15.
The next InterCongress Meeting will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
November 20-25, 2016.

________________________________________________________________________________

IUSS Presidential elections 2016

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 (2017/18), President
(2019/20) and Past-President (2021/22). The call for nominations was
published in a separate Alert on 16 March 2016. Full documentation is
available on the IUSS website.
Read more <http://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=582>

________________________________________________________________________________

Call for Nominations: 2016 Young Micromorphology Publication Award (YMPA)

Commission 1.1: Soil Morphology and Micromorphology will award the Young
Micromorphologist’s Publication Award every 2 years. The purpose of this
award is to encourage and promote the use of soil micromorphology by young
scientists. The Award will be given to one or more young scientist who has
published research in the preceeding 4 years, that is an outstanding
contribution to the principles, methodology, or application of
micromorphology. The author must be less than 35 years old at the time of
acceptance of the publication, and he/she must be the first author. The
selection of the awardees will be the responsibility of the Kubiena Award
Committee.
Read more <http://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=26>

________________________________________________________________________________

New Margaret Oliver Prize for Early-career Pedometricians

The IUSS Pedometrics Commission has decided to create a new award to
recognize early-career scientists in their field. The prize will be given
at each biennial international meeting of the Pedometrics Commission; the
first prize will be given in Wageningen (NL) in 2017.
Read more <http://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=580>

________________________________________________________________________________

Newsletter 2 IUSS-working group on modelling of soil and landscape evolution

The second newsletter of the IUSS working group on modelling of soil and
landscape evolution is available.
Read more
<http://soillandscape.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Newsletter-2-Spring-2016.pdf>

________________________________________________________________________________

Online consultation for developing the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable
Soil Management

The online consultation on the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil
Management (VGSSM), which was also published in the Newsroom of the IUSS
Website, has come to an end.

The quantity and especially the quality of the thoughtful comments received
from more than 30 countries are fundamental and will now enable the
Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), the main advisory body
to the Global Soil Partnership, to prepare the first draft of the VGSSM
(end of March 2016). This draft will then be submitted to an Open-Ended
Working Group for its finalization and submission to the Fifth Global Soil
Partnership Plenary Assembly (23-25th May 2016). If endorsed by the Plenary
Assembly, the draft VGSSM will be submitted to the Committee on Agriculture
(COAG) for its review, and if endorsed, to the FAO Council.
Read more <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/forum/discussions/soilguidelines>

________________________________________________________________________________

Quantifying the erosion effect on current carbon budget

The idea of offsetting anthropogenic CO2 emissions by increasing global
soil organic carbon (SOC), as proposed during COP21 in the ‘four per mil’
initiative, is notable. JRC scientists coupled soil erosion into a
biogeochemistry model, running at 1 km2 resolution across the agricultural
soils of the European Union (EU). Based on data-driven assumptions, the
simulation took into account also soil deposition within grid cells and the
potential C export to riverine systems, in a way to be conservative in a
mass balance. In comparison with a baseline without erosion, we estimated a
net C loss or gain of −2.28 and +0.79 Tg yr−1 of CO2eq, respectively,
depending on the value for the short-term enhancement of soil C
mineralization due to soil disruption and displacement/transport with
erosion. Erosion fluxes were in the same or der of current carbon gains
from improved management. Even if erosion could potentially induce a sink
for atmospheric CO2, strong agricultural policies are needed to prevent or
reduce soil erosion.
Read more
<http://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/pan-european-soc-stock-agricultural-soils>

________________________________________________________________________________

How does farming affect the organic carbon content of arable soils?

Agricultural land has great potential to store carbon. With the right
choice of cultivation methods and cropping systems, it can be transformed
from a source of greenhouse gases into a sink for carbon dioxide. In 2013,
EviEM began to review how different farming methods affect the amounts of
organic carbon in arable soils by a systematic-review approach. So far, the
project has delivered three review protocols on the peer-reviewed journal
Environmental Evidence and a systematic Web-Gis interactive map on metadata
extracted from long-term experiment and study sites. The JRC soil team of
the European Commission participates in this research.
Read more <http://www.eviem.se/en/projects/Soil-organic-carbon-stocks/>

________________________________________________________________________________

The Remediated sites and brownfields–Success stories in Europe

This document is the results of an initiative of the Eionet National
Reference Centres for Soil, which established in 2015 an ad-hoc working
group on contaminated sites and brownfields in Europe. The objective was to
collect cases and successful stories of remediated sites and brownfields,
harmonise and facilitate exchanges of information on contaminated soils and
soil remediation between the Eionet contributing countries. It aims to
contribute to a better understanding of the remediation of contaminated
sites and brownfields rehabilitation which is essential for sustainable
land use management and to share best practices and new techniques,
meanwhile raising awareness of the enormous efforts needed to succeed. This
document presents many examples in various contexts and different European
countries.
Read more
<http://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/public_path/shared_folder/doc_pub/RemediatedSites_Brownfields_success%20stories.pdf>

________________________________________________________________________________

The first European earthworm map is drawn

Despite the abundance of earthworms in soils all around the world, there is
a lack of information concerning the geographical distribution of many
lumbricid species. Researchers from eight European countries have collected
information on earthworm communities to map the biodiversity of these
invertebrates and to put soil conservation on the political agenda.
Read more <http://phys.org/news/2016-02-european-earthworm-drawn.html>

________________________________________________________________________________

Urban soil emits a surprising amount of CO2

A new study published in the journal Environmental Pollution shows that
urban soil can emit up to 72 percent as much CO2 as fossil fuels burned
within a city and at a rate of up to twice that of rural soils. And this is
important, the researchers note, because most climate action plans only
account for anthropogenic sources of CO2 like cars and buildings, not the
seemingly innocent biological sources like dirt.
Read more
<http://grist.org/science/urban-soil-emits-a-surprising-amount-of-co2/>

________________________________________________________________________________

Healing the soil - Repurposing abandoned urban lots starts with soil test

Chicago’s history of industrialization and urbanization left its mark on
the soil. Soil acts as a sponge, and can host contaminants for years. In
Chicago, the waste from industrial manufacturing causes undesirable toxic
organic chemicals, heavy metals, and other chemicals to linger in the soil.
A non-profit youth development center hopes to repurpose the lots into
useful spaces for the community. However, the poor quality soils in the
lots create challenges.
Read more <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160210135336.htm>

________________________________________________________________________________

Microbial diversity drives multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems

Despite the importance of microbial communities for ecosystem services and
human welfare, the relationship between microbial diversity and multiple
ecosystem functions and services (that is, multifunctionality) at the
global scale has yet to be evaluated. Here we use two independent,
large-scale databases with contrasting geographic coverage (from 78 global
drylands and from 179 locations across Scotland, respectively), and report
that soil microbial diversity positively relates to multifunctionality in
terrestrial ecosystems. The direct positive effects of microbial diversity
were maintained even when accounting simultaneously for multiple
multifunctionality drivers (climate, soil abiotic factors and spatial
predictors). Our findings provide empirical evidence that any loss in
microbial diversity will likely reduce multifunctionality, negatively
impacting the prov ision of services such as climate regulation, soil
fertility and food and fibre production by terrestrial ecosystems.
Read more
<http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2016/160128/ncomms10541/abs/ncomms10541.html>

________________________________________________________________________________

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops
16th International Scientific Earth & Geoscience Conference SGEM 2016

Abstract deadline prolonged until 25 March 2016

Flamingo Grand Congress Center, Albena Resort, Bulgaria, June 28 – July 7,
2016. The prestigious SGEM International Scientific GeoConferences focus on
the latest researches and technologies in the fields of GEO and EARTH
SCIENCES, covering 27 scientific topics from fundamental and applied
sciences. Section 13 deals with Soil.
Read more <http://www.sgem.org/>
Enzymes in the Environment: Activity, Ecology and Applications

Early registration deadline extended until April 29, 2016

Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom, July 24-28, 2016. Although enzymes are
central to cellular functions, this conference focuses on the role of soil
enzymes in biogeochemical and ecosystem processes, known as ecological or
environmental enzymology. The four-day meeting will have the following
symposia: Hot Spots – Hot Moments of Enzyme Activities in the Environment;
Methods I: Beyond Genomics; Extracellular Enzyme Expression; Methods II:
Roundtable Position Presentations: Omics and Functional Expression of
Extracellular Enzymes; Extracellular Enzymes in Aquatic and Terrestrial
Ecosystems under a Changing Climate; Aquatic Enzymology; Functional
Diversity and Ecosensors; Bioinformatics: Bioprospecting Genetic Expression
of Extracellular Enzymes; Industrial and Environmental Applications;
Bioremediation Driven by Extracellular Enzymes.
Read more <http://enzymes-in-the-environment.org/>
International Conference Contaminated Sites 2016

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, September 12-13, 2016.
Please, indicate your interest by on-line registration and by sending your
lecture abstract before April 15, 2016.
Read more <http://contaminated-sites.sazp.sk/>
The European Mineral Fertilizer Summit 2016

London, UK, September 14-15, 2016. Succeeding in the Fertilizer Market: Key
Projections in the EU. The two day event will provide an exclusive platform
in collaboration with Fertilizers Europe for discussion between a variety
of industry perspectives including manufacturers, suppliers,
distribution/logistics, academia and regulators homing in on the latest
opportunities arising from plant technology and best practices within
operational production. The main aim is to identify potential solutions,
future work programmes and productive partnerships that overcome the key
regulatory challenges and facilitate minimizing risk within the supply
chain promoting access to safe and more efficient food security.
Read more
<http://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/european-mineral-fertilizer-summit/>
FACEing the future | food production and ecosystems

Giessen, Germany , September 26 – 29, 2016.
How will primary production react to increasing atmospheric CO2 and
temperatures? Will yields and food quality change? What are the feedbacks
between soil, plants and the atmosphere? Will ecosystem functioning change?
And do experimentalists monitor what modellers need for their projections?
This international conference will bring together leading scientists to
discuss these issues and many more in a number of sessions. Please note
that online registration is now available and submissions for oral
presentations and posters are called for. For more detailed information and
to submit an abstract please visit the conference webpage . Take advantage
and register early to avoid the additional late registration charge and at
the same time book your accommodation to secure the especially arranged
conference rates and room availability. In case you have any questions,
please don’t hesitate to contact the Organizing Committee: Email
<[log in to unmask]>
Read more <http://www.face2face-conference.org>
International Soil Classification Congress in South Africa

Bloemfontein, South Africa, December 1-7, 2016. The congress proper will
span three days, preceded by a four-day pre-congress field workshop. The
field workshop starts the morning of 1 December in Pretoria and ends on 4
December in the evening in Bloemfontein. The field workshop will expose
participants to the soils of Pretoria (manganiferous soils), Lichtenburg
(aeolian, granitic and dolomitic agriculture soils), Potchefstroom
(Technosols and aeolian agricultural soils), Sasolburg (high-activity clay
agriculture soils), and the Vredefort meteor impact site. This congress is
the official congress of IUSS Commission 1.4 (Soil Classification) and is
supported by the Soil Science Society of South Africa and the University of
the Free State.
Abstract submission & Registration opens on 1 May 2016; Deadline for
abstract submission: 17 June 2016.
Read more <http://scc16.co.za/>

________________________________________________________________________________

New publications
Geopedology. An Integration of Geomorphology and Pedology for Soil and
Landscape Studies

By Zinck, J.A., Metternicht, G., Bocco, G., Del Valle, H.F. (Eds.). 1st ed.
2016 by Springer, 556 pages, 161 illus., 82 illus. in color, ISBN
978-3-319-19159-1, price hardcover: 89,99 € | £66.99 | $119.00.
This book offers a proven approach for reliable mapping of soil-landscape
relationships to derive information for policy, planning and management at
scales ranging from local to regional. It presents the theoretical and
conceptual framework of the geopedologic approach and a bulk of applied
research showing its application and benefits for knowledge generation
relevant to geohazard studies, land use conflict analysis, land use
planning, land degradation assessment, and land suitability analysis.
Soil Health, Soil Biology, Soilborne Diseases and Sustainable Agriculture.
A Guide.

By Graham Stirling, Helen Hayden, Tony Pattison and Marcelle Stirling.
March 2016 by CSIRO Publishing, 280 pages, colour photographs,
illustrations, 245 × 170 mm, ISBN: 9781486303045, price paperback AU $
99.95.
Our capacity to maintain world food production depends heavily on the thin
layer of soil covering the Earth’s surface. The health of this soil
determines whether crops can grow successfully, whether a farm business is
profitable and whether an enterprise is sustainable in the long term.
Farmers are generally aware of the physical and chemical factors that limit
the productivity of their soils but often do not recognise that soil
microbes and the soil fauna play a major role in achieving healthy soils
and healthy crops. This book provides readily understandable information
about the bacteria, fungi, nematodes and other soil organisms that not only
harm food crops but also help them take up water and nutrients and protect
them from root diseases. Complete with illustrations and practical case
studies, it provides growers and their consultants with holistic solutions
for building an active and diverse soil biological community capable of
improving soil structure, enhancing plant n utrient uptake and suppressing
root pests and pathogens.
Soil Water Measurement: A Practical Handbook

By J. David Cooper, March 2016 by Wiley-Blackwell, 368 pages, ISBN:
978-1-4051-7676-7, price hardcover £125.00 or €168.80.
This book is written for all those involved in measurement of soil water
phenomena, whether they be environmental scientists, field technicians,
agronomists, meteorologists, hydrogeologists, foresters, physical
geographers, civil or water engineers or students in these subjects. It
contains a comprehensive description of all the major methods used for
measurement of soil water content and potential, solute concentration,
transport and balance of water and solutes, including recharge to
groundwater aquifers. The emphasis is firmly on techniques which can be
applied in the field or on samples obtained from the field. The theory and
practice of the workings of the main instruments and methods available is
described, along with practical tips on surmounting some of the main
difficulties and explanations of many commonly encountered jargon words.

________________________________________________________________________________

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