CA-CoP CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
for sustainable production intensification
Dear Subscribers,
Please see herebelow the IUSS Alert 128.
Apologies for cross-posting.
Amir Kassam
Moderator
URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca
The presentations given during the conference “Celebration of International
Year of Soils 2015 – Achievements and Future Challenges” in Vienna on Dec. 7,
2015, have been uploaded on the IUSS website together
with a selection of photos.
Read more
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Although agriculture and forests occupy 78% of the surface of the EU,
currently there is not any clearly established soil policy in the EU, and only
some member states have approved legislation. Though there are EU guidelines and
policies on agriculture, water resources and pollution, lack of European
legislation on soil does not ensure an adequate level of protection in Europe.
However, the clear risk to achieve objectives on biodiversity and climate change
led the EU to establish a Soil Thematic Strategy (2006) on soil protection. The
Seventh Environment Action Program recognizes the progress made in the last
decades, but still considers soil degradation risk as a serious problem, and
that “unsustainable land use is consuming fertile soils, and soil degradation
continues, resulting in impacts on global food security and the achievement of
biodiversity targets”.
Read more
Source: ASA (American Society of Agronomy) – CSSA (Crop Science Society of America) – SSSA (Soil Science Society of America) Science Policy Report, 10 February 2016
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A recently published JRC article maps the potential
threats to three categories of soil biodiversity (namely soil microorganisms,
fauna and biological functions), and gives guidelines for identifying soils that
are potentially at risk. Ranking the threats to soil biodiversity based on the
knowledge of 107 soil experts from 21 countries, the study found the potential
risk to soil biodiversity to be remarkably high. JRC
developed normalised indices of potential risk to soil biodiversity based on
assessments of the threat associated to 13 possible stressors: climate change,
landuse change, habitat fragmentation, intensive human exploitation, soil
organic matter decline, industrial pollution, nuclear pollution, soil
compaction, soil erosion, soil sealing, soil salinisation, the use of GMOs in agriculture and invasi ve species. Data are available
for the soil biodiversity threats plus the 13 input layers.
Read
more
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This report presents some results of the RECARE
project. One of the project’s objectives is to provide an improved overview of
existing information on soil threats and degradation at the European scale. The
report is written by a group of experts from the RECARE
team, coordinated by Bioforsk. In total, 60 persons were involved in the process
of writing, reviewing and editing. Eleven soil threats were considered: soil
erosion by water, soil erosion by wind, decline of organic matter (OM) in peat,
decline of OM in mineral soils, soil compaction, soil sealing, soil
contamination, soil salinization, desertification, flooding and landslides, and
decline in soil biodiversity.
Read
more
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The Soil Science Society of America invites nominations for 2016 Awards and
scholarships which recognize researchers, educators, extension professionals,
and students. Nominate a colleague for one of the dozens of awards. Awards
Deadlines: March 22 to initiate nominations and March 29 for reference letters
and final submission. Students can apply for numerous scholarships. Scholarship
Deadlines: March 29 to initiate applications and April 5 for reference letters
and final submission.
Read more
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2015 will be remembered as the International Year of Soils. But where is soil
science going and how can young graduates gain a foothold in it? An evening of
discussions goes beyond technical aspects and shows that many careers are open
to young professionals – in academic and applied fields.
Read
more
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A South Australian farmer has transformed his land into a gigantic geometric
patchwork in a bid to fight soil erosion. Brian Fischer created the patterns at
Ashmore White Suffolk Stud, north of Adelaide, following recent bushfires. In
the absence of any vegetation, he says the furrows prevent gusting winds from
causing further damage. “The fires cooked everything,” he told 3AW radio, “but
whichever way the wind blows it’s always at 90 degrees [to the furrows] so it
can’t get started”. The idea dates back to 1944 – if not earlier – when more
than one million hectares of land were destroyed by a raging bushfire in
Victoria. Fischer says the pattern took several days to plough but is saving him
15cm of topsoil
Read
more
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US scientists have modelled how a 1930s-like “dustbowl” drought might impact
American agriculture today, and found it to be just as damaging.
Read
more
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The first-ever global nitrogen footprint, encompassing 188 countries, has
found the United States, China, India and Brazil are responsible for 46 percent
of the world’s nitrogen emissions. The economic modelling, which grouped the
nitrogen footprint into top-ranking bilateral trade relationships, noted a trend
for increased nitrogen production and found developed nations largely
responsible for emissions abroad for their own consumption.
Read
more
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Personal view on soil on a blog by Richard Bardgett, Professor of Ecology at
The University of Manchester and author of Earth Matters
Read
more
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Earthworms are your personal gardener. These little guys make organic
fertilizer and rid your soil of disease and pests.
Read more
Infographic
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Brno, Czech Republic, May 26 – 28, 2016. Like the previous workshops, most of
the time will be reserved for “microscope time”. Therefore presentations will
mostly be in the form of posters. Everybody is asked to bring and present
shortly her/his own thin sections provided for the workshop microscoping.
Read more
College Park, Maryland; July 17-23, 2016. This conference will provide a
forum for the exchange ideas regarding the origins, properties, management,
classification and reclamation of Acid Sulfate Soils. The organizers hope to
include components for the education of those less familiar with Acid Sulfate
Soil issues and problems (including engineers, geologists, geographers,
politicians/lawmakers, environmental control organizations and agencies and the
general public). Three days will be designated for oral and poster presentations
(July 18, 19 and 21). Additionally, three field tours are planned throughout the
week (July 17, 20 and 22, 23).
Read
more
Second
circular
International Summer Course, Yucatán, Campeche, Tabasco y Chiapas, Mexico, July 18-28, 2016. More information can be obtained via Email
Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China, August 16-19, 2016. The conference
theme is “Hydropedology and Natural Resources in the Earth’s Critical Zone for a
Sustainable World”. This once-in-every-four-years event promises to be
stimulating, informative, and enjoyable. A number of global leaders, active
thinkers, energetic researchers, young scientists, diverse students, industrial
practitioners, and other professionals are expected to attend. Abstract
deadline: March 1, 2016.
Read more
Kasugano International Forum IRAKA, Nara City, Japan,
August 22-26, 2016. Soil zoology is an important component of soil science.
There is an increasing global demand for soil conservation. Knowledge on
taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of soil animals is needed to understand the
sustainable management of planet soil. We believe that this meeting will
contribute to global soil conservation. Therefore, the meeting theme is
“Biodiversity for Our Future Earth”.
Read more
Third World Conference of World Association of Soil and Water Conservation
(WASWAC). Belgrade, Serbia, August 22-26, 2016. First
Announcement and Call for papers. The registration form and detailed information
is available at the conference website.
Read more
Furthermore,
there is an announcement of WASWAC Outstanding Youth
Paper Award 2016.
Read
more
Following a recent review and the development of novel models, the
soil-landscape modelling community now organises a soil-landscape modelling
course for all interested PhD candidates, postdocs and other academics. Learning
objectives include gaining an understanding of concepts and modelling
approaches, and working on the participant’s own case studies with some of the
available models. It is our intention to make course attendance as cheap as
possible. Ask us about options for support if this course is very interesting
for your work.
Read
more
Potsdam (Campus Griebnitzsee), Germany, October 5-7, 2016. This symposium
will provide a platform to exchange findings on established and new methods in
sensing plant water status- ranging from soil water uptake to plant canopies.
Consequently, soil properties and soil water status will be a major topic. Early
registration will end at June 30, 2016. Deadline for abstract submission is
March 15, 2016.
Read more
Cairo, Egypt, October 17- 19, 2016. Conference topics: Soil resources in Nile
basin countries and optimum management to overcome the encountered problems;
Cooperation between Nile basin countries to control desertification, erosion,
degradation and soil pollution; Sustainable agricultural development of Nile
basin countries; Hydrology of Nile River; Water policies in the Nile basin
countries. Causes and sources of pollution of Nile River; The scientific
cooperation between Nile basin countries to control water pollution; Enhancement
of scientific research cooperation between institutions in Nile basin countries.
Abstracts submission deadline: end of June 2016. Full texts should be submitted
no later than 31 August 2016.
Read
more
Mexico City, Mexico; November 27 – December 5, 2016. This conference will be
organized jointly with the IUSS Commissions 1.3 Soil
Genesis and 1.6 Palaeopedology. The early registration fee for full participants
at the Conference will be 200 €; the student fee will be 150 €, with appropriate
verification of student status.
Read more
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Hrsg.: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR), Hannover 2016, 144 S., 48 Karten, 67 Abb., 8 Tab., 29×36
cm, ISBN 978-3-510-96855-8, gebunden, 38.80 EUR. Only available in German. Aktuelles und modernes
Standard-Kartenwerk zum Thema Boden für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland; Der
Atlas enthält in einer systematischen Abfolge sieben Kapitel mit
geowissenschaftlichen und bodenkundlichen Grundlagenkarten, zu
bodenphysikalischen und bodenchemischen Kennwerten, zum Wasser- und
Stoffhaushalt des Bodens sowie zu Gefährdungen, zu Potenzialen und weiteren
Darstellungen mit Bezug zum Bundes-Bodenschutzgesetz.
Read more
By Stuart Simpson and Graeme Batley (Editors), February 2016 by CSIRO Publishing, 360 pages, Colour photographs, Line Art, 245
× 170 mm, ISBN: 9781486303847, Price Paperback AU $
79.95.
Contaminated sediments represent an ongoing threat to the health of
aquatic ecosystems. The assessment of sediment quality is, therefore, an
important concern for environmental regulators. Sediment quality guidelines are
now well established in regulatory frameworks worldwide; however, practical
guidance that covers all of the key aspects of sediment quality assessment is
not readily available. In 2005, CSIRO published its
highly cited Handbook for Sediment Quality Assessment. In the ensuing period,
the science has advanced considerably. This practical guide is a revised and
much expanded second edition, which will be a valuable tool for environmental
practitioners. Written by experts in the field, it provides coverage of:
sediment sampling; sample preparation; chemical analysis; ecotoxicology;
bioaccumulation; biomarkers; and ecological assessment. In addition, detailed
appendices describe protocols for many of the tests to be used.
Edited by Simon Shackley, Greet Ruysschaert, Kor Zwart, Bruno Glaser,
February 29, 2016 by Routledge, 302 pages, 95 B/W Illustrations, ISBN: 9780415711661, Price Hardcover £75.00.
This
user-friendly book introduces biochar to potential users in the professional
sphere. It de-mystifies the scientific, engineering and managerial issues
surrounding biochar for the benefit of audiences including policy makers,
landowners and farmers, land use, agricultural and environmental managers and
consultants, industry and lobby groups and NGOs. The
book reviews state-of-the-art knowledge in an approachable way for the
non-scientist, covering all aspects of biochar production, soil science,
agriculture, environmental impacts, economics, law and regulation and climate
change policy. Chapters provide ‘hands-on’ practical information, including how
to evaluate biochar and understand what it is doing when added to the soil, how
to combine biochar with other soil amendments (such as manure and composts) to
achieve desired outcomes, and how to ensure safe and effective use. The authors
also present research findings from the first coordinated European biochar field
trial and summarize European field trial data. Explanatory boxes, infographics
and concise summaries of key concepts are included throughout to make the
subject more understandable and approachable.
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The Department of Environmental Systems Science (http://www.usys.ethz.ch) of ETH Zurich in¬vites applications for a professorial faculty
position focusing on (1) the role of soil as a key natural resource, supporting
a wide range of forest and other terrestrial ecosystem functions and services
and (2) quantifying the effects of changes of land use and climate on various
soil functions at local to global scales. The appointment will be at full
professor level. Candi¬dates should be interested in system-oriented
multidisciplinary research and are expected to develop an innovative and
internationally recognized research program, making an important contribution to
linking the assessment and modelling of soil function to land-use and climate
change.
The successful candidate will have a strong background in soil
sciences as well as an inter¬national track record in research and will be a
motivated and capable university teacher. Ad¬ditionally, skills in mathematical
modelling and/or spatial information systems are a great plus. Teaching duties
will include introductory and advanced-level courses on the asses¬sment,
modelling and management of soil resources as part of the environment. The new
professor will be expected to teach undergraduate level courses (German or
English) and graduate level courses (English).
Please
apply online
Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a list of
publications, and a statement of future research and teaching interests. The
letter of application should be addressed to the President of ETH Zurich, Prof. Dr. Lino Guzzella. The closing date for
applications is 15 March 2016. ETH Zurich is an equal
opportunity and family friendly employer and is further responsive to the needs
of dual career couples. We specifically encourage women to apply.
Read
more
The International Council for Science (ICSU), the
International Social Science Council (ISSC) and the UN
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR)
invite applications for the post of Executive Director of the Integrated
Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) programme, which will
be vacant on 01 June 2016.
The Executive Director of IRDR is expected to:
The Executive Director will hold a PhD in a natural, social, medical or
engineering science discipline related to natural hazards and disaster risk
reduction and have several years of direct experience in international programme
management. Proven management, fundraising, and diplomatic skills, and capacity
to work in a multi-cultural environment will be essential. Both an excellent
command of written and spoken English and a working knowledge of Mandarin are
required.
The following additional qualities are considered to be essential:
ability to lead and motivate a small team; operating in a complex area; high
level of flexibility and adaptability; ability to think strategically while
managing the operational side of the programme, including host reporting
requirements; an understanding of Asian and other cultures.
Applications should include: (i) a Curriculum Vitae; (ii) a covering letter
explaining why you are interested in the post, and outlining the skills and
experience you feel you, the candidate, could bring to IRDR and its IPO; and (iii) the names
and addresses of three individuals who have indicated their readiness to provide
a reference. Applications combined into a single PDF
file should be sent to the International Council for Science (ICSU) via e-mail to [log in to unmask], with “IRDR Executive
Director” in the subject line. The closing date for applications is 18 March
2016 midnight Paris time (CET).
Read more

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