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

*for sustainable agriculture, land use and ecosystem management*

Dear Subscribers,

Please see herebelow the latest IUSS Alert 188 (February 2021).

Apologies for any cross-posting.


*Amir Kassam *

*Moderator*

*Global CA-CoP*

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

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


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2021 at 11:01
Subject: IUSS Alert 188 (February 2021)
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=779>

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IUSS Alert 188 (February 2021)

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<https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Union-of-Soil-Sciences/291392794207721>
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IUSS News IUSS Stimulus Fund – first call for submissions 2021

IUSS has established an annual Stimulus Fund to support suitable activities
within its Commissions and Working Groups. Where appropriate, the Fund will
also support other activities to assist the development of soil science
generally but particularly in regions of the world where lack of resources
limit opportunities. Research projects or travel costs of individuals will
not be funded. Applications should be sent to *[log in to unmask]*
<[log in to unmask]>. The initial application process requires a short
written proposal of no more than 500 words plus a budget indicating how the
funds awarded are to be spent in relation to the total budget of the
activity. The normal maximum award will be USD 2,500.

Submission Deadline: March 15, 2021

Read more: *https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/iuss-stimulus-fund/
<https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/iuss-stimulus-fund/>*

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

Kubiëna Medal 2022 - reminder

The Kubiëna Medal award is conferred by the IUSS Soil Morphology and
Micromorphology Commission to commemorate Walter L Kubiëna for his
distinguished contribution to soil micromorphology. This IUSS medal is
awarded for outstanding and sustained contribution in the discipline of
soil micromorphology.

Read more: *
<https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/awards-prizes/medals/kubiena-medal/>https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/awards-prizes/medals/kubiena-medal/
<https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/awards-prizes/medals/kubiena-medal/>*

How to apply

The nominees may be proposed by institutions, societies, commissions and
working groups of the IUSS, and individuals. Members of the Award committee
are not eligible to make nominations or second nominations.

The proposal for nomination must be submitted to the Award committee chair,
and should include:

1. Statement of key achievements and career highlights of the nominee (1
page)
2. Curriculum vitae detailing career history and publication record of the
nominee
3. Name of proposer and seconder for the nominee
4. Any other relevant information in support of the nominee
5. Full address and contact details of the nominee

Applications are due March 31, 2021. Send by email applications to: Prof.
Fabio Terribile *[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>*
------------------------------

General News SciDataCon/Internatioal Data Week 2021: Call for Sessions and
Invitation to Sponsors and Partners

SciDataCon 2021 is an integral part of International Data Week (IDW) 2021,
which will be held both virtually and onsite in Seoul, Republic of Korea,
on 8–11 November 2021. IDW 2021 will also feature the CODATA 2021 General
Assembly on 12-13 November 2021.

The overarching theme of IDW 2021 and SciDataCon is *Data to Improve our
World*. In our post-pandemic future, humanity has an opportunity and
obligation to address major challenges, including climate change,
sustainable development, and disaster risk reduction. The digital
revolution and the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, the methods and
practices of Open Science, and of FAIR data and services, give humanity the
tools to do so. Embracing these possibilities requires engagement with
society, rigorous research methods, and good practice in data science and
data stewardship. The theme Data to Improve our World explores the nexus of
these issues.

Session proposals should be submitted at: *
<http://www.scidatacon.org/IDW2021/>http://www.scidatacon.org/IDW2021/
<http://www.scidatacon.org/IDW2021/>*.

The deadline for proposals is 31 March 2021

Conference website: *
<https://www.scidatacon.org/>https://www.scidatacon.org/
<https://www.scidatacon.org/>*
------------------------------

Healthy soils – consultation on new EU soil strategy

Soils are essential ecosystems that deliver valuable services such as the
provision of food, energy and raw materials, carbon sequestration, water
purification and infiltration, nutrient regulation, pest control and
recreation. Therefore, soil is crucial for fighting climate change,
protecting human health, safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystems and
ensuring food security. Healthy soils are a key enabler to achieve the
objectives of the European Green Deal such as climate neutrality,
biodiversity restoration, zero pollution, healthy and sustainable food
systems and a resilient environment. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
announced the update of the 2006 EU Soil Thematic Strategy to address soil
and land degradation in a comprehensive way and to help achieve land
degradation neutrality by 2030. The Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
highlights that it is essential to step up efforts to protect soil
fertility, reduce erosion and increase soil organic matter. Significant
progress is also needed on identifying contaminated sites, restoring
degraded soils, defining the conditions for their good ecological status
and improving the monitoring of soil quality.

All citizens and organisations are welcome to contribute to this
consultation.

Feedback period: 02 February 2021 - 27 April 2021 (midnight Brussels time)

Read more: *https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12634-New-EU-Soil-Strategy-healthy-soil-for-a-healthy-life/public-consultation?fbclid=IwAR1I73LOUvAvcmpb-luGBK1OvBGdz1RHAK0JM7m9rZKEwkJc5APLWphdD8o
<https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12634-New-EU-Soil-Strategy-healthy-soil-for-a-healthy-life/public-consultation?fbclid=IwAR1I73LOUvAvcmpb-luGBK1OvBGdz1RHAK0JM7m9rZKEwkJc5APLWphdD8o>*
------------------------------

Planting crops – and carbon, too

President Biden says farmers can adopt agricultural methods that help fight
climate change. Maryland farmer Trey Hill has been trying. While his
grandfather, who started the family farm along the Chesapeake Bay, always
planted in the spring in a clean field, in Hill’s approach to farming, “you
never want to see the ground.”

Read more: *https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2021/climate-solutions/climate-regenerative-agriculture/
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2021/climate-solutions/climate-regenerative-agriculture/>*

[From: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Science Policy Report: 3 February 2021]
------------------------------

Funeral of Australia's first national soil advocate

Former governor-general Michael Jeffery of Australia was farewelled as
'warrior king' at a state funeral. After 35 years in the army, he was most
recently known for his advocacy for soil health, and was appointed in 2012
by then-prime minister Julia Gillard as the country's first national
advocate for soil health.

After more than a decade of work, his recommendation to adopt a national
objective to restore soil health to ensure future food security was
committed to by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Read more: *https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-29/former-governor-general-michael-jeffery-state-funeral/13018758
<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-29/former-governor-general-michael-jeffery-state-funeral/13018758>*
------------------------------

Mercury (Hg) distribution in European topsoils

Mercury (Hg) distribution in topsoil (0-20cm) is influenced by climate,
soil properties, vegetation. In addition to the natural factor, mercury has
high values close to past mining activities and coal combustion sites. High
Overall, the stock of Hg in EU topsoil is estimated to c.a. 44.8 Gg with a
median concentration of 38.3 μg kg−1; 10% of the area exceeds the 84.7 μg kg
−1 and 209 Hg hotspots (top 1%) have been identified with concentrations
>422 μg kg−1. In a detailed investigation, 42% of the hotspots were
associated with well-known mining activities while the rest can be related
either to coal combustion industries or local diffuse contamination. In
total 209 hotspots were identified, defined as the top percentile in Hg
concentration (>422 μg kg−1). 87 sites (42% of all hotspots) were
associated with known mining areas. The sources of the other hotspots may
relate to unmined geogenic Hg or industrial pollution. In a recent research
study we present soil Hg concentrations from the LUCAS topsoil (0–20 cm)
survey mapped with Deep Neural Network (DNN) learning model.

Download data: *https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/mercury-content-european-union-topsoil
<https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/mercury-content-european-union-topsoil>*

[From ESDAC Newsletter No 127 (Jan-Feb 2021)]
------------------------------

Land degradation in global arable lands

Land degradation is a global environmental issue that affects the world's
arable lands on a large scale, thus threatening global food production
systems. In a recent study, we analysed the land degradation footprint on
global arable lands, using complex geospatial data on certain major
degradation processes, i.e. aridity, soil erosion, vegetation decline, soil
salinization and soil organic carbon decline. By applying geostatistical
techniques that are representative for identifying the incidence of the
five land degradation processes in global arable lands, results showed that
aridity is by far the largest singular pressure for these agricultural
systems, affecting ~40% of the arable lands' area, which cover
approximately 14 million km2 globally. Also, it was found that soil erosion
is the major land degradation process, affecting ~20% of global arable
systems.

Read more: *https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/land-degradation-global-arable-lands
<https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/land-degradation-global-arable-lands>*

[From ESDAC Newsletter No 127 (Jan-Feb 2021)]
------------------------------

World Soil Day 2020 at a glance

Concerted action across up to 105 countries and hundreds of million
participants is what makes World Soil Day one of the most celebrated UN
Observances. For its latest edition ‘Keep soil alive, Protect soil
biodiversity', more than 780 events brought together governments,
businesses, NGOs, youth, the media, and the public. Rome, New York,
Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Moscow held official ceremonies while twenty-one FAO
regional, sub-regional and country offices actively supported the campaign.

Read more: *http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1370580/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1370580/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 31, February 2021]
------------------------------

Bangladesh: Soil4Nutrition project

As part of the Soils for Nutrition project, the FAO Global Soil Partnership
promotes sustainable soil management practices to improve the nutritional
quality of locally produced foods to address micronutrient deficiencies in
local populations.

Read more: *http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1373483/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1373483/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 31, February 2021]
------------------------------

Sustainable Soil Management in Uganda and Rwanda

GSP in collaboration with the FAO representations in Uganda and Rwanda,
South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST) of FAO, Embassies of China
to Uganda and Rwanda, and national partners in terms of ministries of
agriculture, soil institutes, soil laboratories and universities have
launched two projects to strengthen national capacities on sustainable soil
management (SSM) to improve food security through increased agricultural
productivity and nutrition.

Read more: *http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1371498/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1371498/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 31, February 2021]
------------------------------

Launch of the Armenian Soil Information System

The launch of the Armenian Soil Information System (ArmSIS) represents a
step forward in the assessment of soil resources to guide the development
of policies to prevent soil degradation. At the request of the Ministry of
Economy of Armenia, ArmSIS is the result of a joint effort by FAO GSP,
Armenian National Agrarian University, Centre of the Agricultural Services
and Institute of Geological Sciences. ArmSIS's establishment was
financially supported by the Russian Federation.

Read more: *http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1371495/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1371495/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 31, February 2021]
------------------------------

Network on Salt-affected Soils

The International Network of Salt-Affected Soils (INSAS) aims to facilitate
the sustainable and productive use of salt-affected soils for food
security, agricultural sustainability and climate change adaptation and
mitigation.

Read more: *http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/insas
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/insas>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 31, February 2021]
------------------------------

A wealth of information on the world's ants

Ants are one of the most prominent soil macroarthropods. They live almost
anywhere on land (except Antarctica and some isolated islands), and most of
them nest underground, modifying soil ecosystems in the process. It has
been estimated that ants make up 15-20% of the terrestrial animal biomass
on Earth. Through subterranean nest excavation and maintenance, they are
heavily involved in providing essential soil ecosystem services for humans
(such as improving soil structure and increasing organic matter content on
marginal land).

Read more: *
<https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2021/1/22/a-wealth-of-information-on-the-worlds-ants>https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2021/1/22/a-wealth-of-information-on-the-worlds-ants
<https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2021/1/22/a-wealth-of-information-on-the-worlds-ants>*

[From GSBI Newsletter – February 2021]
------------------------------

New Podcast called Life in the Soil

Check out the new "Life in the Soil" podcast series by Dr. Matthias Rillig
and colleagues!

- Episode 1: Living soil - A habitat hidden from view
- Episode 2: Fungi - The kingdom of mushrooms, spores, and networks
- Episode 3: The soil food web - A jungle in tiny dimensions

Listen to the podcast: *
<https://soundcloud.com/mrillig>https://soundcloud.com/mrillig
<https://soundcloud.com/mrillig>*

[From GSBI Newsletter – February 2021]
------------------------------

Speaking up for diversity in science: ISC launches podcast series

The ISC is partnering with Nature and its ‘Working Scientist’ podcast,
highlighting all aspects of diversity in science – asking why diversity
matters, why diversity makes for better science, how to integrate diverse
voices and different perspectives in research, and how to promote inclusion
of less well represented or marginalized groups in science settings. The
series forms part of the outputs for the ISC’s project 'Combating systemic
racism and other forms of discrimination in science'.

Listen to the first episodes: *
<https://council.science/podcast/nature-working-scientists/>https://council.science/podcast/nature-working-scientists/
<https://council.science/podcast/nature-working-scientists/>*
------------------------------

Soil erosion is unlikely to drive a future carbon sink in Europe

In the past, people always thought that soil erosion driven by climate
would lead to a C sink in the near future. In this paper, a
biogeochemistry-erosion model framework was used to quantify the impact of
future climate on the C cycle. The result challenge the idea mentioned
before.

Read more: *
<https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/11/eaau3523?fbclid=IwAR2IzOsansupV_OFwg8wP3QXaQh8zCfLVa66LlsacN7UCC5Ic9RPbCVIlwM>https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/11/eaau3523?fbclid=IwAR2IzOsansupV_OFwg8wP3QXaQh8zCfLVa66LlsacN7UCC5Ic9RPbCVIlwM
<https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/11/eaau3523?fbclid=IwAR2IzOsansupV_OFwg8wP3QXaQh8zCfLVa66LlsacN7UCC5Ic9RPbCVIlwM>*
------------------------------

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.*
2021Workshop Exploring A Dynamic Soil Information System

March 2 - 4, 2021

Online event

Soils are a critical natural resource that support a wide range of human
activities, but current systems for monitoring soils do not provide an
accurate picture of changes in the soil resource over time. The National
Academies invites you to a workshop to help envision a Dynamic Soil
Information System that would overlay important chemical, physical, and
biological information about soil samples taken from a wide range of
geographies.

Read more: *National Academies hosts a workshop on envisioning a soil
information system
<http://links.sciencesocieties.org/c/6/?T=MTcxMTU5MzQ%3AMDItYjIxMDQ4LWQzMmE3NGNkMDRmYTRjZjE4MzBiMDU4NDEyZGE1ZGY5%3Ac2lnYmVydC5odWJlckB1bXdlbHRidW5kZXNhbXQuYXQ%3AY29udGFjdC03YWVhZTkzMjE4NmVlMTExOWYwYzAwMTMyMTBlMzA4Yy0wYmQ1ZDVlNzc3ZjY0NjNmYWNmZTc0ZDZhNjY2OTcwNQ%3AZmFsc2U%3A%3A%3AaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29pbHMub3JnL3NjaWVuY2UtcG9saWN5L3NzcHIvMjAyMS0wMi0xNy8_X2NsZGVlPXNpZ2JlcnQuaHViZXJAdW13ZWx0YnVuZGVzYW10LmF0Izc1MDg&K=eqHM571SReGVoB5g9hR5sQ>*

[From ASA-CSSA-SSSA Science Policy Report, 17 February 2021]
------------------------------

3rd ISMC Conference - Advances in Modeling Soil Systems

May 18-22, 2021

Virtual event

The conference programme addresses recent research in the
soil-vegetation-atmosphere continuum centered around soils over all spatial
scales, time scales, and elements - from processes to prediction.

Abstract deadline: March 15, 2021

Programme and abstract submission:
*https://soil-modeling.org/ismc-conference/ismc-conference
<https://soil-modeling.org/ismc-conference/ismc-conference>*
------------------------------

III International and XV National Congress of Serbian Society of Soil
Science

*SOILS FOR FUTURE UNDER GLOBAL CHALLENGES*

21 - 24 September 2021, Sokobanja, Serbia

The purpose of this meeting, jointly organized by the Serbian Society of
Soil Science and the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, is to
bring together researchers and scientists interested in soil science,
soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, sustainable land use, soil degradation,
soil and water conservation, and soil socio-economic pathways, to address
recent research results and to present and discuss their ideas, theories,
technologies, systems, tools, applications, progress and experiences.

The papers will be published in the Book of Proceedings. The event will be
held with both in-person and online sessions, while observing all
applicable safety measures.

Abstract submission deadline: June 1, 2021

Congress website: *https://congress.sdpz.rs/ <https://congress.sdpz.rs/>*
------------------------------

*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 publicationsSclerotia Grains in Soils

Edited by Makiko Watanabe. 1st edition published in the series Progress in
Soil Science on 12 February 2021 by Springer, 212 pages, 78 b/w
illustrations, 25 in colour, eBook ISBN 978-981-334-252-1; DOI
10.1007/978-981-33-4252-1, Hardcover ISBN 978-981-334-251-4, price eBook:
96,29 € | £87.50 | $109.00; hardcover: 119,99 € | £109.99 | $149.99

This book introduces what sclerotia grains are, and where and how they
exist in soils, by compiling the results obtained from the studies on
fungal sclerotia formed by *Cenococcum geophilum* (Cg) and related species,
the visible black small grains persistent for a few thousand to ten
thousands of years in forest soils and sediments. The chapters contain the
results and discussions on the ecological distribution and regulating
factors, characteristics, and function of Cg sclerotia grains, carried out
by researchers from soil geography, soil science, soil microbiology,
physiology, forestry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry,
material science, and related disciplines.

Read more: *
<https://www.springer.com/de/book/9789813342514>https://www.springer.com/de/book/9789813342514
<https://www.springer.com/de/book/9789813342514>*
------------------------------

Protocol for Sustainable Soil Management

The protocol constitutes a fundamental tool to assess if any intervention
implemented in the field, such as improvement of productive systems,
innovation and new technologies, ecosystem restoration and carbon
sequestration, is carried out in a sustainable manner according to the
definition of sustainable soil management. In practical terms, the protocol
provides key indicators and a set of tools to assess soil functions based
on its physical, chemical and biological properties.

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1370578/>http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1370578/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1370578/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 31, February 2021]
------------------------------

Understanding and improving crop root function – now 20% discounted for
IUSS members

Edited by Peter Gregory, University of Reading, UK. Published 19 January
2021 by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, 686 pages, ISBN-13:
9781786763600, price hardback GBP 180.00, also available as eBook from
VitalSource.

Recent decades have seen a dramatic increase in research on plant roots. A
deeper understanding of the complex ways roots interact with soils is
making it possible to ‘design’ roots to optimise nutrient/water uptake in
low-input environments, as well as deliver other benefits such as improved
soil health and reduced nutrient leaching. Continued research is needed in
this important area so that it can contribute to more sustainable,
‘climate-smart’ crop production. The publishers offer a 20% discount for
all members of IUSS. Should you be interested, the discount code is
IUSSCR20. It is valid until 31st March 2021.

Read more: *
<https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-89122>https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-89122
<https://shop.bdspublishing.com/store/bds/detail/workgroup/3-190-89122>*
------------------------------

Essentials of Soil Science now also as e-book

The book Essentials of Soil Science (Soil formation, functions, use and
classification (World Reference Base, WRB)) by Winfried E. H. Blum, Peter
Schad and Stephen Nortcliff was published in 2018 by Borntraeger Science
Publishers. It presents a concise (170 pages) and comprehensive
introduction to soil science.

Now, it is also available as e-book: *https://www2.ciando.com/ebook/bid-2877582
<https://www2.ciando.com/ebook/bid-2877582>*
------------------------------

Job offers

If you are interested in working in soil sciences and related fields of
expertise, please see current job offers at: *
<https://www.iuss.org/jobs/>https://www.iuss.org/jobs/
<https://www.iuss.org/jobs/>*
------------------------------

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