*Global CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*

*for sustainable agriculture and land management*

Dear Subscribers,

Please see the latest IUSS Alert 181 for July 2020.

Apologies for any cross-posting.

*Amir Kassam *

*Moderator*

*Global CA-CoP*

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

URL: http://www.fao.org/conservation-agriculture


*Conservation Agriculture is an ecosystem approach to regenerative
sustainable agriculture and land management based on the practical
application of context-specific and 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 mulch cover (crop biomass, stubble and cover crops);
and (iii) diversification of cropping system (economically, environmentally
and socially adapted rotations and/or sequences and/or associations
involving annuals and/or perennials, including legumes and cover crops),
along with other complementary good agricultural production and land
management practices. *
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2020 at 21:23
Subject: IUSS Alert 181 (July 2020)
To: Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>



If you have problems reading this content - please follow this link to the
IUSS page <https://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=761>

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IUSS Alert 181 (July 2020)

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<https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Union-of-Soil-Sciences/291392794207721>
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IUSS NewsIUSS Presidential Elections 2020 - status

The election of the next President of the IUSS is due this year.
Nominations for two candidates were received, who fulfill the nomination
criteria. The IUSS Council shall vote on these two candidates involving the
national members until 30 September. The nomination documentation of the
candidates is made available on the IUSS website.

Read more: *
<https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/iuss-presidential-election/>https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/iuss-presidential-election/
<https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/iuss-presidential-election/>*
------------------------------

IUSS Bulletin 136

Due to unforeseen circumstances editing of IUSS Bulletin 136 has been
delayed and we hope to publish it by the end of August. The IUSS
Secretariat apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
------------------------------

Pedometron Newsletter No. 45

The latest issue of Pedometron is available. This issue contains the
regular items for you to enjoy, including the Pedometrics Comic, Poetry and
Pedomathemagica, ‘What’s new in R’ and several conference reports. An
important contribution in this issue is the ‘Pedometricians Digital
Mind—Mindfulness & Pedometrics’ written by Sabine Grunwald. Not only is
this an interesting and creative read, it may actually help you to find
some peace of mind in these stressful days.

Read more: *
<http://pedometrics.org/issue-45-of-pedometron/>http://pedometrics.org/issue-45-of-pedometron/
<http://pedometrics.org/issue-45-of-pedometron/>*

------------------------------

Newsletter of Commission 1.6

The June issue of the Paleopedology Newsletter is now available on the IUSS
website. Among others, it contains information on the new setting for the
INQUA Paleopedology Groups, an article on Paleosols of the Old Red
Continent by Susan Marriott & Paul Wright, and a contribution on Paleosols
in Tibet: A window into geological and anthropogenic past (written by Fei
Yang) and a tribute to Alain Ruellan.

Read more: *
<https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/newsletters/paleopedology-newsletters-commission-16/>https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/newsletters/paleopedology-newsletters-commission-16/
<https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/newsletters/paleopedology-newsletters-commission-16/>*
------------------------------

Tenets of Regenerative Agriculture in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Quarterly Viewpoint from the desk of Rattan Lal, Past President,
International Union of Soil Sciences

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the traditional food production and
supply chains and aggravated the global problem of food and nutritional
insecurity. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is an important
cause for a paradigm shift and reemphasizes the need to focus on
strengthening of local food production systems and enhancing their
resilience against any future disruptions caused by political or natural
perturbations. The global disruption in all aspects of the food supply
chain has also enhanced the importance of using the practices of
regenerative agriculture (RA), or the soil-centric approach to innovative
farming. Therefore, basic tenets must be adhered to for enhancing the
adoption and adaptation of RA under site-specific conditions to mitigate
the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more: *https://www.iuss.org/index.php?rex_media_type=download&rex_media_file=2020_july_quarterly_viewpoint_iuss.pdf
<https://www.iuss.org/index.php?rex_media_type=download&rex_media_file=2020_july_quarterly_viewpoint_iuss.pdf>*
------------------------------

Assessing Soil Health | Free Soil Science Society of America Webinar Series

This soil health focused webinar series integrates economics, measurement
tools, measurement assessment, and modeling to educate, motivate, and equip
Certified Crop Advisers, consultants, and agricultural retailers to engage
in soil health management systems. A Soil Science Society of America
webinar series produced in partnership with The Soil Health Institute and
sponsored by The Walton Family Foundation. FREE to all registrants.

Read more: *
<https://www.soils.org/education/online-courses>https://www.soils.org/education/online-courses
<https://www.soils.org/education/online-courses>*

[From: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Science Policy Report: 22 July 2020]
------------------------------

Dr. José Luís Colocho (1954 – 2020)

The Latin-American Soil Science Society (SLCS) communicates the loss of one
of its national Presidents. On June 27, Dr. José Luís Colocho, President of
the Salvadorian Association of Soil Science passed away because of the
terrible pandemic that is plaguing our world today.

With his departure, the SLCS not only loses a pedologist but a friend who
is a very dear part of our community. May Dr. José Lúis Colocho Ortega rest
in peace.

Biography

José Luis Colocho Ortega (1954 – 2020), born in El Salvador was an
Agricultural Engineer (ENA – 1976), specialized in Bovinuculture (UFP –
1980), Master on Plant Physiology (UFLA – 1983) and Soil Fertility (UFV –
1987), and D.Sc. in Plant Nutrition (UFV – 1990). For more than 20 years he
spearheaded the Soil Science Society of El Salvador, aiming to build up and
strengthen the Salvadorian Soil Science.

He was an acting member and collaborator of the Latin-American Soil Science
Society and a regular attendant at the Brazilian and Latin-American
Congresses of Soil Science. Professionally he distinguished himself as a
prolific scientist, businessman, and consultant for the Latin American
Coffee Community. He was honored by his peers in El Salvador in the year
2010 as the Agronomist of the Year. José Luis´ impact on the Latin Soil
Science community is based on his cordial and friendly personality,
provoking enthusiasm for soil science in many students and colleagues. We
lost not only an outstanding scientist, but a loving father, friend and
colleague who had always a true smile from the heart. We will miss him in
so many ways.

[Biography by Luís Carlos Colocho Utarte]
------------------------------

Don Francisco Silva Mojica (1926 – 2020)

With deep regret the Latin-American Soil Science Society communicates the
death of Don Francisco Silva Mojica, who was a founding member of the SLCS,
our first General Secretary, and distinguished Honorary Member. He was also
a founding member of the Colombian Soil Science Society and its President
from 1969 to 1970, editor of the scientific journal *Suelos Ecuatoriales *from
1955 to 2000 and from 1995 to 2004 General Secretary of the Latin-American
Soil Science Society (SLCS).

During his tenure as the head of the General Secretariat of the SLCS, he
distinguished himself by his constant commitment and persevering will to
form a strong Latin-American Soil Science Society committed to Soil
Science, and always working in close and respectful collaboration with the
International Union of Soil Sciences.

In 2016 the Latin-American Soil Science Society awarded him with the
“Distinction to a Whole Life dedicated to Soil Science” and in 2019 he was
awarded as its Honorary Member.

Rest in peace Don Francisco Silva Mojica.

[By Laura Bertha Reyes Sánchez, IUSS President-Elect]
------------------------------

General NewsGlinka World Soil Prize 2020

Nominations for the Glinka World Soil Prize 2020 are officially open. The
prize consists of a USD 15,000 check and a medal.  The nomination is open
to individuals or organizations that are dynamic change-makers dedicated to
solving soil degradation at all levels. If you think you are an eligible
candidate, propose your nomination to the GSP country focal point or the
closest GSP partner (see list:
http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/partners/en/).

Submit the nomination form by 30 September 2020 to [log in to unmask]

Read more: http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/glinka-world-soil-prize/en/
[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]
------------------------------

King Bhumibol WSD Award 2020

If you have organized an outstanding WSD event for the 2019 campaign ‘Stop
soil erosion, Save our future’, don’t miss the chance to win the King
Bhumibol World Soil Day Award, edition 2020. The award consists of a medal,
a USD 15 000 check and a trip to Thailand. All participants from last
year's campaign can apply.

The call for application should be submitted by 30 September 2020 to GSP
Secretariat together with an informative dossier containing proof of
success.

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/world-soil-day-award/en>http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/world-soil-day-award/en
<http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/world-soil-day-award/en>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]
------------------------------

The 8th GSP Plenary Assembly, a digital success

The Plenary was held from 3 to 5 June 2020 in a virtual format on the Zoom
platform. All official documents were made available online together with
the condensed agenda and presentations.

Read more: *http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/about/plenary-assembly/eight-session-2020/en/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/about/plenary-assembly/eight-session-2020/en/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]

------------------------------

Towards the GSSmap

To support the sustainable management of Salt-Affected Soils (SAS), the
FAO-GSP is coordinating the development of the Global Soil Salinity Map
(GSSmap). This follows a country-driven approach whereby countries will be
able to generate their national soil salinity maps. A very intense capacity
development programme involved experts from Near East and North
Africa, Eurasia, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and the
Pacific.
Read more:
http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1269946/

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]

------------------------------

Contribute to SoiLEX

The GSP is currently developing an innovative tool – SoiLEX – to raise
awareness on soil legislation and facilitate the search for national legal
instruments and the exchange of experiences in soil governance among
countries.

Support the creation of the online platform by answering the SoiLEX
questionnaire and join the new Working Group on soil legislation, now!

Read more:
http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1274929/

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]
------------------------------

GLOSOLAN breakthrough

Institutions and experts from around the world are joining efforts thanks
to the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) in using spectroscopy
technology to support decision-making on soil protection, improve
agricultural productivity, reverse land degradation, improve soil
assessment, and increase international collaboration.

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/fao-stories/article/en/c/1271807/?utm_content=bufferc9892&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer>http://www.fao.org/fao-stories/article/en/c/1271807/?utm_content=bufferc9892&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
<http://www.fao.org/fao-stories/article/en/c/1271807/?utm_content=bufferc9892&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]
------------------------------

Progress on soil import legislation

The SIMPLE database – a new FAO tool – has just been launched to promote
and facilitate the execution of international inter-laboratory comparisons
while simplifying the shipment of soil samples between countries for
research purposes. It is the result of a global effort led by GLOSOLAN.

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1295934/>http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1295934/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1295934/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]

------------------------------

Video on soil biodiversity

Discover how soil biodiversity is a key provider of ecosystem services and
one of the main nature-based solutions to face all the current global
challenges.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbdsHOnd_gw

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]
------------------------------

WSD post-campaign

World Soil Day (WSD) 2019 ‘Stop soil erosion, Save our future’ was
celebrated in 100 countries with over 560 events. Media coverage reached
653 million. BBC, Al Jazeera, the New York Times covered the theme "Stop
soil erosion, Save our future".

On Twitter #WorldSoilDay reached 400 million users.

Discover the highlights of the WSD in video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2WCfg7jfpw&feature=youtu.be
* <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2WCfg7jfpw&feature=youtu.be>*

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/3/ca8233en/ca8233en.pdf>http://www.fao.org/3/ca8233en/ca8233en.pdf
<http://www.fao.org/3/ca8233en/ca8233en.pdf>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]
------------------------------

Webinar: RECSOIL

The GSP webinar 'Recarbonization of global soils' held on 17 June 2020,
with 1452 participants from 136 countries, discussed the importance of
RECSOIL, as a new tool that supports national and regional greenhouse gas
mitigation and carbon sequestration initiatives by incentivizing SSM
through tradable carbon credits. The presentations, recording and the
report are now available:

Presentations:
http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/events/detail/en/c/1277609/

Listen to the recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4P634TQ9kA&feature=youtu.be

The report can be downloaded here:
http://www.fao.org/3/ca9925en/ca9925en.pdf
Read more:
http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/events/detail/en/c/1277609/

[From: Global Soil Partnership newsletter No 28, 9 July 2020]

------------------------------

Call for Collaboration in Soil Organisms

Raúl Ochoa-Hueso and colleagues recently published a call for collaboration
in Soil Organisms called "Ecosystem and biogeochemical coupling in
terrestrial ecosystems under global change: A roadmap for synthesis and
call for data." For more information, see their article in Soil Organisms.
Please be aware that this is not an RFP, and there is no available funding.
This is only a call for data and collaboration, deadline: July 31, 2020

Read more: *
<http://www.soil-organisms.org/index.php/SO/article/view/121>http://www.soil-organisms.org/index.php/SO/article/view/121
<http://www.soil-organisms.org/index.php/SO/article/view/121>*

[From: GSBI (Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative ) newsletter, July 2020]

------------------------------

How global changes affect soil microbial biodiversity and function

Biodiversity of plants and animals on the Earth is changing at an
unprecedented rate due to a variety of global change factors, such as
warming, carbon-dioxide enrichment, altered precipitation, atmospheric
nitrogen deposition, nutrient fertilization, land-use change, and their
combinations.

Soil microbial communities are surprisingly diverse and abundant. In
specific, 1 trillion (1012) microbial species harbor on the Earth, and 1 g
soil contains up to 1 billion (109) bacterial cells consisting of tens of
thousands of taxa.

Read more: *
<https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/6/19/how-global-changes-affect-soil-microbial-biodiversity-and-function>https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/6/19/how-global-changes-affect-soil-microbial-biodiversity-and-function
<https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/6/19/how-global-changes-affect-soil-microbial-biodiversity-and-function>*

[From: GSBI newsletter, July 2020]
------------------------------

Springtails bounce Dr. Adrian Smith into discoveries on Collembola behavior

This past winter I noticed something incredible, actually a bunch of
things, right outside my door. The things came crawling out of the ground
in my yard. Noticing things crawling out of the ground is part of my job.
I’m an entomologist who has specialized in studying ants for the past 15
years. But this was different, these weren’t ants. They weren’t even
insects. Covering my back patio, my garbage cans, and the leaf litter were
thousands of globular springtails, tiny soil arthropods.

Read more: *
<https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/7/9/springtails-bounce-dr-adrian-smith-into-discoveries-on-collembola-behavior>https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/7/9/springtails-bounce-dr-adrian-smith-into-discoveries-on-collembola-behavior
<https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/7/9/springtails-bounce-dr-adrian-smith-into-discoveries-on-collembola-behavior>*

Watch the fascinating video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=38&v=Qu01EUeE5PM&feature=emb_title

[From: GSBI newsletter, July 2020]
------------------------------

Contribute to the Review of the Report for the IPBES Transformative Change
Assessment

With reference to the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services (IPBES) notification EM/2020/4, the draft scoping report
for the transformative change assessment (thematic assessment of the
underlying causes of biodiversity loss and the determinants of
transformative change and options for achieving the 2050 vision for
biodiversity) is open for external review. The aim of the review is to
increase the policy relevance of the scoping report by engaging governments
and stakeholders early in the process of defining the policy questions that
this assessment will address.

Deadline for contributions: 28 August 2020.

Read more: *
<https://ipbes.net/transformative-change/scoping-document-registration>https://ipbes.net/transformative-change/scoping-document-registration
<https://ipbes.net/transformative-change/scoping-document-registration>*
------------------------------

ISC 2019 Annual Report: Now available online

We are delighted to share the International Science Council's 2019 Annual
Report. In the Council's first full year of operation we were proud to
launch an Action Plan for the coming years, to develop new initiatives and
partnerships, and to consolidate existing scientific activities. In line
with the Council's sustainability principles
<https://council.science/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Sustainability-principles-full-version-18-June-2020.pdf>,
and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be sending out
printed copies of the 2019 Annual Report. Instead, we invite you to browse
the Report online, where you will find additional audio-visual content and
links to the latest information about the Council's initiatives. If you
have any questions or comments, please contact our Membership Liaison
Officer Anne Thieme (*[log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>*).

Read more: *
<https://council.science/annual-report-2019>https://council.science/annual-report-2019
<https://council.science/annual-report-2019>*.
------------------------------

Soil offers key to curbing climate change - Efforts to boost carbon capture
could offset increases in greenhouse gas emissions

Sarah Singla is a cereal farmer who does not know how to plough. That is a
sign not of professional laxness, but of her dedication to the conservation
agriculture that her father embraced. Since taking over the 100-hectare
family farm in the southern French department of Aveyron a decade ago, Ms
Singla has further developed the practices he initiated in 1980.

Conservation agriculture aims to minimise or suppress tillage, ensure that
soil always has a cover crop, and use crop rotation to enhance soil
fertility.

Read more: *
<https://amp.ft.com/content/a2e1476a-9390-11ea-899a-f62a20d54625?shareType=nongift&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR3WfAdg1n1CmW4708xF872hwPVYxgCzEZqQx_yTBMnLc_683n9IryitXnU>https://amp.ft.com/content/a2e1476a-9390-11ea-899a-f62a20d54625?shareType=nongift&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR3WfAdg1n1CmW4708xF872hwPVYxgCzEZqQx_yTBMnLc_683n9IryitXnU
<https://amp.ft.com/content/a2e1476a-9390-11ea-899a-f62a20d54625?shareType=nongift&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR3WfAdg1n1CmW4708xF872hwPVYxgCzEZqQx_yTBMnLc_683n9IryitXnU>*
------------------------------

More work crucial to ensure our soil recovers from bushfires - Australian
Academy of Science publishes bushfire expert brief

The Australian Academy of Science has published a bushfire expert brief
titled *Soil Conditions After Bushfires*. The brief is calling for a
nationally consistent approach to soil data collection, storage and access
to aid recovery from the 2019-20 bushfire season.

Read more: *
<https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy-and-analysis/evidence-briefs/soil-condition-after-bushfires>https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy-and-analysis/evidence-briefs/soil-condition-after-bushfires
<https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy-and-analysis/evidence-briefs/soil-condition-after-bushfires>*
------------------------------

The global odyssey of plastic pollution

Scientists who once studied microplastics (plastic debris <5 mm in size) as
ocean pollutants have now detected them in soils, biota, and Earth's
atmosphere. To decipher the global fate of microplastics, scientists have
begun to ask questions about the “microplastic cycle,” which is akin to
global biogeochemical cycles (nitrogen, carbon, and water). For example,
what are the sources of microplastics, and how do they transform as they
move from one pool (e.g., a beach, inside an organism, or a river bed) to
another? And what processes (“fluxes”) transfer microplastics between
pools? On page 1257 of this issue, Brahney *et al.* (*1*) report
high-resolution spatial and temporal data that provide evidence of both
global and regional microplastic transport, thus increasing our
understanding of the microplastic cycle.

Read more: *
<http://www.sciencemag.org/about/science-licenses-journal-article-reuse>http://www.sciencemag.org/about/science-licenses-journal-article-reuse
<http://www.sciencemag.org/about/science-licenses-journal-article-reuse>*
------------------------------

Plutonium and Cesium inventories in European topsoils

The two radionuclides (cesium, plutonium) were released during military
nuclear tests, particularly in the 1960s, but cesium also during the
Chernobyl accident in 1986. A group of researchers used 160 samples from a
European LUCAS topsoil database (2009) from undisturbed soils to develop
the Cs and Pu footprint in European soils. The produced maps help to
understand the magnitude of the fallout sources, establish a baseline in
case of future radionuclide fallout and define a baseline for
geomorphological reconstructions of soil redistribution due to soil erosion
processes. The dataset includes the Baseline Caesium-137 topsoil (0-20cm),
Baseline Plutonium-239+240 topsoil, the Chernobyl-derived 137Cs and
Global-derived 137Cs. Details on how this dataset has been developed can be
found in the relevant publication.

Read more: *
<https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/themes/plutonium-and-cesium-inventories-european-topsoils>https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/themes/plutonium-and-cesium-inventories-european-topsoils
<https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/themes/plutonium-and-cesium-inventories-european-topsoils>*

[From ESDAC Newsletter No 122, May-June 2020]
------------------------------

Caring for soil is caring for life

“Caring for Soil is Caring for Life” is the title of the mission proposed
by the Soil Health and Food Mission Board. The mission’s goal is to “ensure
that 75% of soils are healthy by 2030 and are able to provide essential
ecosystem services”, such as the provision of food and other biomass,
supporting biodiversity, storing and regulating the flow of water, or
mitigating the effects of climate change. The target corresponds to a 100%
increase of healthy soils against the current baseline. This interim report
sets out the vision and the blueprint to reach this ambition through a
combination of research and innovation, training and advice, as well as the
demonstration of good practices for soil management using “Living labs” and
“Lighthouses”.

Read more: *
<https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-law-and-publications/publication-detail/-/publication/32d5d312-b689-11ea-bb7a-01aa75ed71a1>https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-law-and-publications/publication-detail/-/publication/32d5d312-b689-11ea-bb7a-01aa75ed71a1
<https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-law-and-publications/publication-detail/-/publication/32d5d312-b689-11ea-bb7a-01aa75ed71a1>*

[From ESDAC Newsletter No 122, May-June 2020]
------------------------------

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops

*The outbreak of the Corona virus is clearly a rapidly evolving situation.
The organizers of the meetings listed below are constantly reviewing the
situation in the light of global and country-specific advice to inform
decisions to minimize the additional risks to attendees, their communities
and those living in the meeting’s host country. *

*The IUSS will also continue to monitor the situation, and advise that
prior to attending meetings our members review up to date information from
their country’s government, the WHO and from the host country to ensure
that everyone’s health and wellbeing remains a priority.*

20201st International Conference on Sustainable Tropical Land Management
(ICSTLM) 2020

16-18 September 2020, Virtual meeting

Theme: "Adapting Land Management to Climate Change and Combating Land
Degradation to Increase Resilience of Agricultural System"

Deadline for abstract submission: 3 August 2020

Conference website: *
<https://seminarbbsdlp.id/icstlm/index.php/en/>https://seminarbbsdlp.id/icstlm/index.php/en/
<https://seminarbbsdlp.id/icstlm/index.php/en/>*

Flyer: *
<https://seminarbbsdlp.id/icstlm/images/Download/Poster_ICSTLM_2020.pdf>https://seminarbbsdlp.id/icstlm/images/Download/Poster_ICSTLM_2020.pdf
<https://seminarbbsdlp.id/icstlm/images/Download/Poster_ICSTLM_2020.pdf>*

* <[log in to unmask]>*

*
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/about/plenary-assembly/eight-session-2020/en/>*
------------------------------

2021

*Changes to previously announced conferences, meetings and workshops*
WRB Workshop Summer 2021

20-25 June 2021, Toruń, Poland

*!Postponed from September 2020!*

Website: *
<https://sites.google.com/site/summerwrb/home>https://sites.google.com/site/summerwrb/home
<https://sites.google.com/site/summerwrb/home>*
Soils Conference 2021 – Soils, investing in our future

27 June - 2 July 2021, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

*!Postponed from Nov./Dec. 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic!*

Soil Science Australia and New Zealand Society of Soil Science’s joint
conference

Website: *
<https://www.soilscienceaustralia.org.au/2021-joint-conference/>https://www.soilscienceaustralia.org.au/2021-joint-conference/
<https://www.soilscienceaustralia.org.au/2021-joint-conference/>*

Download: *media/ssa_nzsss_ppt_conference_slides.pptx
<https://www.iuss.org/media/ssa_nzsss_ppt_conference_slides.pptx>*
XIVth International symposium and field workshop on paleopedology
(ISFWP-XIV) - Paleosols, pedosediments and landscape morphology as archives
of environmental changes

8- 18 August 2021, Altai, Russia

*!Postponed from August 2020!*

Website: * <http://isfwp.100igras.ru/>http://isfwp.100igras.ru/
<http://isfwp.100igras.ru/>*

Download: *media/2_circular_xiv-isfwp-2020.pdf
<https://www.iuss.org/media/2_circular_xiv-isfwp-2020.pdf>*
Global Symposium on Salt-Affected Soils

13-16 September 2021, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

The symposium will be organized by FAO-GSP, ITPS, the Government of
Uzbekistan and the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS).

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/events/detail/en/c/1264612/>http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/events/detail/en/c/1264612/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/events/detail/en/c/1264612/>*
2020 ASA, CSSA & SSSA Annual Meeting

8-11 November 2020, *Virtual meeting*

Abstract submission deadline: July 31, 2020

Website: * <https://www.acsmeetings.org/>https://www.acsmeetings.org/
<https://www.acsmeetings.org/>*
2nd joint workshop on digital soil mapping and GlobalSoilMap WGs

14-18 December 2020, Goa, India

Abstract submission is open until September 1, 2020

Website:
*
<https://sites.google.com/view/soilmapping2020>https://sites.google.com/view/soilmapping2020
<https://sites.google.com/view/soilmapping2020>*


*New announcements*
8th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture

June 21-24, 2021, Zollikofen, Bern, Switzerland

New abstracts can be submitted from now on until January 15th, 2021

The online registration process will re-open on September 1st, 2020

Conference website: * <https://8wcca.org/>https://8wcca.org/
<https://8wcca.org/>*

Download 4th announcement: *
<https://www.iuss.org/media/4th_announcement_def.pdf>https://www.iuss.org/media/4th_announcement_def.pdf
<https://www.iuss.org/media/4th_announcement_def.pdf>*
------------------------------

*For the complete list of upcoming events, please see the event calendar on
the IUSS website: **
<https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/>https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/
<https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/>*
------------------------------

New publicationsSoil Proverbs

By Paola Adamo, Gian Franco Capra, Andrea Vacca, Gilmo Vianello. 1st
edition published in 2020 by Edizioni dell’Orso, Alessandria (Italy), with
the contribution of the Italian Society of Soil Science. 243 Pages, ISSN
2704-9183, ISBN 978-88-3613-032-0, price hardcover 25,00 €

With this book, the Italian Society of Soil Science (SISS) wants to offer
to a wide audience, made up of readers who are not necessarily “insiders”,
an invaluable collection of soil proverbs enriched by the dialectal
cadences of thirteen regions and an autonomous province of Italy. The book
contains around 300 proverbs, which preserve and transmit knowledge of the
soil and its management that has its roots in daily experience and the
reflective capacity of those who preceded us. The translation and
explanation in Italian and English are reported for each proverb.

The recovery of the past, in this case of the oral tradition of proverbs,
expresses the meaning and the value that the soil had for the generations
that preceded us, as well as the very topical awareness of the importance
of preserving and enhancing it so that it can also benefit the future
generations.

The publication of this volume takes place in continuity with the spirit
that has always been the hallmark of the SISS, keen to promote the spread
of Soil Science and its applications, and to stimulate active collaboration
among its afficionados. Furthermore, the volume is part of the activities
and objectives of the International Decade of Soils (2015-2024), proclaimed
by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) to raise awareness and
promote the vital importance of the soil for human life on planet Earth.

Read more: *https://www.ediorso.it/proverbi-del-suolo-soil-proverbs.html/
<https://www.ediorso.it/proverbi-del-suolo-soil-proverbs.html/>*
------------------------------

Sustainable Agriculture - Advances in Technological Interventions

By Ajoy Kumar Singh, Vishwa Bandhu Patel. 1st edition published May 20,
2020 by Apple Academic Press, 560 Pages - 9 Color & 72 B/W Illustrations,
ISBN 9780429325830, price hardback GBP 117.60 (will be shipped after
September 16), VitalSource eBook Purchase – GBP 117.60; 6 Month Rental –
GBP 73.50, 12 Month Rental – GBP 88.20.

This new volume looks at the evolution and challenges of sustainable
agriculture, a field that is growing in use and popularity, discussing some
of the important ideas, practices, and policies that are essential to an
effective sustainable agriculture strategy. The book features 25 chapters
written by experts in crop improvement, natural resource management, crop
protection, social sciences, and product development. The volume provides a
good understanding of the use of sustainable agriculture and the
sustainable management of agri-horticultural crops, focusing on
eco-friendly approaches, such as the utilization of waste materials. Topics
include ecofriendly plant protection measures, climate change and natural
resource management, tools to mitigate the effect of extreme weather
events, agrochemical research and regulation, soil carbon sequestration,
water and nutrient management in agricultural systems, and more.

Read more: *
<https://www.routledge.com/Sustainable-Agriculture-Advances-in-Technological-Interventions/Singh-Patel/p/book/9780429325830>https://www.routledge.com/Sustainable-Agriculture-Advances-in-Technological-Interventions/Singh-Patel/p/book/9780429325830
<https://www.routledge.com/Sustainable-Agriculture-Advances-in-Technological-Interventions/Singh-Patel/p/book/9780429325830>*
------------------------------

The Soils of Sri Lanka

Edited by Ranjith B. Mapa. 1st edition published in World Soils Book Series
in 2020 by Springer, 128 pages, 92 illus., 59 illus. in color, ISBN
978-3-030-44144-9, price hardcover 129,99 € | £109.99 | $159.99; price
eBook 106,99 € | £87.50 | $119.00.

This book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the soils of
Sri Lanka. Including sections on the soil research history, climate,
geology, geomorphology, major soil types, soil maps, soil properties, soil
classification, soil fertility, land use and vegetation, soil management,
soils and humans, soils and industry, and future soil issues, the book
summarizes the current state of knowledge in a concise and highly
reader-friendly way.

Read more: *
<https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783030441425>https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783030441425
<https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783030441425>*
------------------------------

Managing Soils and Terrestrial Systems

By Brian D. Fath, Sven Erik Jorgensen. 2nd edition published July 5, 2020
by CRC Press, 642 Pages - 182 B/W Illustrations, ISBN 9781138342651, price
hardback GBP 100.00, VitalSource eBook Purchase – GBP 35.99; 6 Month Rental
– GBP 22.50, 12 Month Rental – GBP 27.00.

Bringing together a wealth of knowledge, *Environmental Management Handbook*,
Second Edition, gives a comprehensive overview of environmental problems,
their sources, their assessment, and their solutions. Through in-depth
entries and a topical table of contents, readers will quickly find answers
to questions about environmental problems and their corresponding
management issues. This six-volume set is a reimagining of the
award-winning Encyclopedia of Environmental Management, published in 2013,
and features insights from more than 400 contributors, all experts in their
field.

In this third volume, *Managing Soils and Terrestrial Systems*, the general
concepts and processes of the geosphere with its related soil and
terrestrial systems are introduced. It explains how these systems function
and provides strategies on how to best manage them. It serves as an
excellent resource for finding basic knowledge on the geosphere systems and
includes important problems and solutions that environmental managers face
today. This book practically demonstrates the key processes, methods, and
models used in studying environmental management.

Read more: *https://www.routledge.com/Managing-Soils-and-Terrestrial-Systems/Fath/p/book/9781138342651?utm_source=crcpress.com&utm_medium=referral
<https://www.routledge.com/Managing-Soils-and-Terrestrial-Systems/Fath/p/book/9781138342651?utm_source=crcpress.com&utm_medium=referral>*
------------------------------

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