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

*for sustainable agriculture, land use and ecosystem management*

Dear Subscribers,

Please see herebelow the IUSS Alert 198 (December 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

URL: http://www.act-africa.org/

URL: https://ecaf.org/
URL: http://www.caa-ap.org/



---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2021 at 20:46
Subject: IUSS Alert 198 (December 2021)
To: Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>


If you have problems reading this content with your mail-client - please
follow this link to load the IUSS page in your webbrowser
<https://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=828>

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<https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Union-of-Soil-Sciences/291392794207721>
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IUSS Alert 198 (December 2021)

[image: Download the IUSS Soilutions Calender (59MB)]
<https://www.iuss.org/index.php?rex_media_type=download&rex_media_file=iuss_calendar_def_printing_version.pdf>

Download the IUSS Soilutions Calender (59MB)

IUSS News

*IUSS Season's Greetings 2021*

Best wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year 2022!

Click here: https://youtu.be/IQ6WAjsZI4w
------------------------------

IUSS Bulletin 139 published

IUSS Bulletin 139 (85 pages) was uploaded to the IUSS website. IUSS
Bulletin 139 contains the minutes of the IUSS Council Meetings during the
IUSS Inter-Congress Meeting 2020 (online), an update on the preparations
for the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS22), an abundance of news
from national and regional Soil Science Societies, followed by an account
of World Soil Day 2021 and the latest activities from ‘Stop Soil
Degradation and the IUSS educative project to achieve it’. This is followed
by conference and meeting reports, articles from the IUSS alerts, new
publications and obituaries of outstanding soil scientists.

Read more: Download Bulletin 139
<https://www.iuss.org/index.php?rex_media_type=download&rex_media_file=iuss-bulletin139_final_vollbildmodus.pdf>
------------------------------

WASWAC-IUSS Position Paper on the Interlinkages of Soil and Climate Change
presented at COP26

At the start of the COP 26 on October 31, 2021 the WASWAC-IUSS Position
Paper with the logos of 50 Soil Science Societies and Institutions and the
list of 805 individual supporters were sent to the President and the
Executive Secretary of COP 26. The IUSS thanks all institutional and
individual supporters for their engagement.

Download the position paper: *
<https://www.iuss.org/index.php?rex_media_type=download&rex_media_file=waswac-iuss_position_paper.pdf>https://www.iuss.org/index.php?rex_media_type=download&rex_media_file=waswac-iuss_position_paper.pdf
<https://www.iuss.org/index.php?rex_media_type=download&rex_media_file=waswac-iuss_position_paper.pdf>*

The list of supporters can be downloaded from the IUSS website: *
<https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/iuss-waswac/>https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/iuss-waswac/
<https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/iuss-waswac/>*
------------------------------

IUSS expert panel at Global Forum for Food and Agriculture 2022

The IUSS organizes the first expert panel of the Global Forum for Food and
Agriculture (GFFA). The panel is titled "Global perspectives on sustainable
soil management towards food security" and will be held on Monday, 24
January 2022, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. (CET), with a subsequent deep dive
from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Panel guests will be:

   - Dr. Lillian Øygarden, Researcher, NIBIO, Norwegian Institute of
   Bioeconomy Research
   - Dr. Bruce Lascelles, UK Director Sustainable Land Use, Arcadis and
   President of the British Society of Soil Science.
   - Dr. Christina Siebe, Senior Researcher, Department of Environmental
   Studies and Soil Science, Institute of Geology, Universidad Nacional
   Autónoma de México (UNAM)
   - Prof. Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor, Director of
   Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration, The Ohio State University,
   Columbus, OH 43210, USA

Facilitator: Dr. Edoardo A.C. Costantini, Senior Researcher, CNR- Institute
of Bioeconomy, Florence, Italy and President Elect of the International
Union of Soil Sciences

The Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) is an international
conference in a virtual format on central issues of vital importance for
global agricultural and food policies. The GFFA is hosted by the Federal
Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany. The five-day forum features a
large number of events that provide an international audience of experts
from the worlds of politics, industry, science, and civil society with an
opportunity to address and reach consensus on issues and challenges
relating to global agricultural policy and food security. In the past,
high-level keynote speakers such as António Guterres, Josefa Sacko, Angela
Merkel, Ban Ki-moon, and Prince Charles joined the GFFA line-up. The 2022
GFFA will address the issue “Sustainable Land Use: Food Security Starts
with the Soil”.

Read more: *
<https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/fachpodien_2022/iuss/>https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/fachpodien_2022/iuss/
<https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/fachpodien_2022/iuss/>*
------------------------------

2022 Guy Smith Medal Award – Invitation to propose nominees

The IUSS Guy Smith Medal Award Committee is pleased to invite you to
propose nominees for the forthcoming *Guy Smith Medal
<http://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=182>* award. The next award will
be handed over during the Glasgow 22nd World Congress of Soil Science (
https://22wcss.org/), to be organized from the 31st of July to the 5th of
August, 2022 by the British Society of Soil Science.

*Criteria for selection:*

The nominee should have the following qualifications:

   1. She/he must have made a significant scientific contribution that has
   advanced the field of soil classification, *and*
   2. Be a published author in the field of soil classification; *and*
   3. Be an active member, Honorary member, or formerly active member of a
   national or international soil science professional society, *and*
   4. The medal is not invested posthumously, *and*
   5. Present officers of IUSS Commission IUSS cannot be nominated.

The proposal for nomination should comprise a short text, including the
main steps of the scientific career of the nominee, her/his most relevant
scientific publications and major contribution to the development of soil
classification.

For more information, please refer to the *web-link of the IUSS Commission
1.4
<https://sites.google.com/a/vt.edu/iuss1-4_soil_classification/home/guy-smith-award>*
(Soil Classification):

We look forward to receiving your *proposals by February 26**th** 2022* by
e-mail.

CVs of the nominees and a motivation letter should be sent to: Jozef
(Seppe) Deckers <[log in to unmask]> with copy to Maria Gerasimova
<[log in to unmask]> and to Lucia Anjos <[log in to unmask]>

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

Call for Nominations for the Richard Webster Medal 2022

The Richard Webster Medal is an award by the Pedometrics Commission of the
International Union of Soil Sciences. The award is for the best body of
work that has advanced the discipline of pedometrics: the application of
mathematical and statistical methods to problems in the understanding of
soils in space and time, and the provision of information for their better
management.

The Richard Webster Medal will be awarded at the 2022 World Congress of
Soil Science. The award is judged by the Pedometrics Commission Awards
Committee on the basis of nominations received.

Nominations should be sent to the Committee Chair, Professor Murray
Lark at *[log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>*. Anyone considering sending a nomination
should examine the guidelines for the award carefully at
*http://pedometrics.org/the-richard-webster-medal/
<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpedometrics.org%2Fthe-richard-webster-medal%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ctitia.mulder%40wur.nl%7Ccf3891d4380842d5c70308d9c5470fcf%7C27d137e5761f4dc1af88d26430abb18f%7C0%7C0%7C637757731739398968%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=FydsusdzLkzB9Wyz6SSsa%2BOkS4OMjIyGlEkiTc%2B60q4%3D&reserved=0>*
and make sure that their proposed candidate is eligible, and is willing to
be nominated.  Note that the requirements for the written evidence will be
strictly adhered to, and any nomination which consists only of a curriculum
vitae for the candidate, with no covering statement as requested, will be
discarded.

*Nominations must be received by the Committee Chair no later than midday
British Summer Time on 31st May 2022.*
------------------------------

News from national soil science societies News from the British Society of
Soil Science (BSSS)

*Join Us in Glasgow!*

Join us at the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science in Glasgow from *31 July*
to *5 August* as a delegate, Sponsor or Exhibitor!

*Tickets are available
<https://members.soils.org.uk/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=40gBoeN0bTH6PwdYKXSIs%2B48%2F6wZpDV4wi9Lk%2BJOe2Ooa%2Bc79jHhpxABnLG5DxHlpTBEpJfiuxonJjB7SQqb1hQl1WXurWOVStBiZEwnHF8%3D>*
for delegates attending the event either face-to-face or virtually, with
early-bird tickets available until 15 March, and the *tour programme
<https://members.soils.org.uk/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=ARbWklxesgcZPHNuPGhoi6ODoMu1jPVjJ1vxMxI93e9pIJviCJkS1izOGJF9F6kDSnf6ghjqkRnhH8%2B7KFCdwUm5ufY3HA%2FQ9gwh%2BSlxLzQ%3D>*
is now also open for registration.

A number of organisations have expressed an interest in hosting a *fringe
event
<https://members.soils.org.uk/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=5X4R36AInXKwCx0z9fLPRi10SwSQ%2FVH6FSc6eyPV4gJ%2F%2BJGztLoHY8adCybBQnpdm5p5z190I2wrVXT6rIC8DXz7jRTDybNnkcbqtSRydkU%3D>*
during WCSS22. We are now accepting applications to host events, alongside
our *sponsorship opportunities
<https://members.soils.org.uk/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=l%2BeMUcD8%2BbVH%2FvpptQ7PRGm8tjfsJM7V6CSZ2u9Nq53cyTmwmV7jDO%2BAYr%2BnTTqnIN8YhpP3GAj2Wy%2F1L96hxdJhyAq40xH4uh%2ByJbRB%2Bw8%3D>*,
and please submit the form outlining your interest by *31 January 2022*.

Read more: *https://22wcss.org/ <https://22wcss.org/>*

*Zoom into Soil: Regenerative Agriculture*

The next in our lunchtime webinar series, *Zoom into Soil: Regenerative
Agriculture* will take place on *Wednesday 12 January* from *12:00 – 1:00pm*.
Supported by *ADAS
<https://members.soils.org.uk/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=9rYeLyWThhi0Qz8stmrlBShm4eigeYAvY6Zz3LKwWG04P5BvwFoWrRL%2BrSXuOeyHZgq1X6%2FY%2FevO2eKNJ1GYOBskjz5d0jUKRRJpUnrbnk8%3D>*
and in collaboration with the *British Ecological Society
<https://members.soils.org.uk/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=0NpjApdfO22eAjkyQdLF7Ec2h1Ff%2BBcPlXq0NYGLkpzfysxbfov7mLmaKzpIUC7Fgp2TOuy6ganSxhaDPEicSPWjqmyIIb3CgQ0RWs2wJFw%3D>*,
we are delighted to welcome Dr Anne Bhogal and Professor Richard Bardgett
to present their expert knowledge on the topic of regenerative agriculture.
The webinar is *free to attend* and please register in advance.

Register here *
<https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5813734122182749707>https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5813734122182749707
<https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5813734122182749707>*

*EJSS Special Virtual Issue: STARS*

Following on from the Zoom into Soil webinar held in June, we are delighted
to announce that a special open-access virtual issue has been published in
the European Journal of Soil Science. STARS: Innovations in Soil Science to
Address Global Grand Challenges presents a collection of papers to
celebrate the UK Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in soil science known
as STARS. The issue highlights the work of emerging UK soil scientists.

Read more: *
<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652389>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652389
<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652389>*

*Outreach: School Soil Workshops*

Can you help? *Soil Voices
<https://members.soils.org.uk/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=fFxZVX13dmGNh6o1eJGTR5wRhrLWstX23j9NpG0oOoHOO5rPfCGYunoMo3RS7JRFTCutT82sAK3vYOTopTJusg9kuS%2BAgkaHHjI93nazctQ%3D>*,
an outreach programme funded by the International Union of Soil Sciences
<https://members.soils.org.uk/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=7w%2Fp%2F%2ByfSEWmTcxZ9Hl3WiyPgG1GZNt8KctvnN8oj4k1xMEQ2HEa2TyBLpaZUmpK7KBZvF4F7ZadbI2Qv%2FEJqtfhlxO%2BMua%2BcShAe4o7FzA%3D>,
is seeking international schools to participate in workshops aimed at
bringing soil education to the classroom. For more information, please get
in touch via *[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>*

[All four articles above are from Digging Deeper with BSSS: Issue 4,
December 2021]
Newsletter of the Soil Science Society of China

In order to promote and strengthen the communications and exchanges between
soil scientists in China and the rest of the international soil science
community, the Soil Science Society of China (SSSC) has launched its first
Newsletter on the 8th World Soil Day. It is a window for Chinese soil
scientists to present the latest content concerning progress and
achievements and also a link to connect with global soil researchers, to
take an active role in preparation for the 23rd WCSS to be held in China in
2026.

The SSSC Newsletter will be published every two months.

Read more: *
<https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/newsletters/soil-science-society-of-china-sssc-newsletter/>https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/newsletters/soil-science-society-of-china-sssc-newsletter/
<https://www.iuss.org/newsroom/newsletters/soil-science-society-of-china-sssc-newsletter/>*
Journal of Soil Science Society of Iran launched

The Iranian Soil Science Society (a member of IUSS) have just launched an
international English language scientific journal (Journal of Soil Science
Society of Iran, in short JSSSI).

JSSSI will be published twice a year focusing on basic and applied research
in soil biology and biotechnology, soil chemistry and fertility, soil
physics and conservation, soil pedology and classification, and hydrology
in agricultural, rangeland and pasture, desert, forest, wetlands, and urban
settings.

Read more: *https://jsssi.iut.ac.i <https://jsssi.iut.ac.ir/>r*
------------------------------

International Symposium on Managing Land and Water for Climate-Smart
Agriculture – Request to submit abstracts

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing an
International Symposium on Managing Land and Water for Climate-Smart
Agriculture in Vienna from 25 July 2022 to 29 July 2022. Approximately 400
participants from IAEA Member States and invited international
organizations are expected to attend this event.

The purpose of the event is to review recent development of nuclear,
isotopic and related techniques to improve land and water management
practices, provide information on the development of tools and technology
packages to build soil resilience, adapt farming practices to the impact of
climate change, as well as to nuclear or radiological emergencies; and to
identify knowledge gaps, research needs and new opportunities to develop
climate-smart agricultural practices to build capacities and transfer of
technologies to Member States. The event is aimed at scientists, academics,
research managers and laboratory personnel, policy makers from
governmental, non-governmental and international organizations, donor
agencies and potential partners.

Please note that *IUSS will chair one of the sessions*, e.g. on soil
conservation, and *exhibit* during the symposium.

IUSS members are encouraged to submit abstracts according to the
requirements set out in *https://conferences.iaea.org/event/270/
<https://conferences.iaea.org/event/270/>*
------------------------------

Anthony Roger (Tony) Dexter (1942 – 2021)

Born on 30 December 1942 in Bedford, UK, Tony Dexter completed his BSc in
physics (electronics) at City University, London in 1965 before being
awarded a PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Essex in 1970 for
a thesis titled “The high-frequency mechanical response of super-cooled
liquids”.

In 1973 Tony and his family emigrated to Adelaide where Tony had accepted
the post of lecturer in soil physics. A few years later Tony joined ISTRO
working on plant roots and soil friability. Tony’s work on plant roots was
acknowledged through the Department of Botany at the University of Adelaide
with the award of a DSc in 1988. In August 1990 Tony returned to the UK to
head a group on soil physics. Later on, Tony took a sabbatical to the
Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG) in Puławy, Poland.
Tony was appointed a full professor by President Lech Kaczyński in October
2007. He retired in 2012 although he continued to publish until at least
2019.

Tony’s scientific legacy is outstanding. He published more than 250 papers
in refereed international scientific journals. He had deep understanding of
the physical, chemical and biological principals controlling soil function
and used this understanding to explain soil behaviour. Those of us lucky
enough to have worked with Tony will certainly miss him as a friend, but
his many published papers will be a lasting memorial to a great scientist.

Read more:
https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/iuss-history/obituaries-to-great-soil-scientists/anthony-roger-tony-dexter-1942-2021/

*By Blair McKenzie, Chris Watts and Ewa Czyż (with help from Caroline, Tom
and David Dexter).*


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

General News Wageningen University Soil Science cluster website launched

The website was launched on the occasion of the World Soil Day on the 5th
December 2021. The website will be a good opportunity to reach out to a
broad audience showcasing our research (research lines, projects,
publications..), education, collaboration and outreach. In addition, it
will be an important place where you can find news and information about
activities of the cluster including Research Lines working groups meetings
and courses.

Link to the website: *www.wur.eu/ssc <https://www.wur.eu/ssc>*

* <https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU22/sessionprogramme>*
------------------------------

Snapshot of the FEBR Soil Data Repository

The Free Brazilian Repository for Open Soil Data (FEBR) published the
snapshot of soil data. The dataset is standardized and harmonized and
therefore ready for immediate use (analysis-ready) by the community.

The dataset can be downloaded from *
<https://cloud.utfpr.edu.br/index.php/s/akjtYo6JWdHDkl4>https://cloud.utfpr.edu.br/index.php/s/akjtYo6JWdHDkl4
<https://cloud.utfpr.edu.br/index.php/s/akjtYo6JWdHDkl4>*.

Read more: *
<https://www.pedometria.org/en/postagem/december-2021-snapshot-of-the-soil-data-repository/>https://www.pedometria.org/en/postagem/december-2021-snapshot-of-the-soil-data-repository/
<https://www.pedometria.org/en/postagem/december-2021-snapshot-of-the-soil-data-repository/>*

* <https://www.egu.eu/news/875/join-the-egus-new-biodiversity-task-force/>*
------------------------------

Global Soil Museum Network

The Global Soil Museum Network is a collection of organizations who display
soil and teach about its properties and importance to the general public.

Please fill out this form to indicate your interest in joining the network:
Global Soil Museum Registration *Form
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1y8ql5UbI1aFQueox0MF5YfDykIbrP2udU8PuV6qif6w/edit>*

Read more: *Soils exposed <https://soilsexposed.org/>*

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

Taking soils for granted: how over-exploitation of this non-renewable
resource poses a grave threat to our future

This blog, in the backdrop of World Soil Day, 2021, is a gentle reminder of
the importance of practicing sustainable land management. Well-framed
policies and extension functionaries capable of educating farmers on
sustainable soil management are absolutely necessary to protect soils,
opine Trisha Roy, Gopal Kumar and M Madhu in this blog.

Read more:
https://www.aesanetwork.org/blog-164-taking-soils-for-granted-how-over-exploitation-of-this-non-renewable-resource-poses-a-grave-threat-to-our-future/
------------------------------

Soil salinity in paddy fields of Sri Lanka and best practices to avoid crop
failures due to soil salinity

‘Halt soil salinization, Boost soil productivity’ is the theme of this
year’s World Soil Day (5 December). Increasing soil salinity is adversely
affecting agricultural production in Sri Lanka. In this blog, DN Sirisena
and WADP Wanigsundera discuss the challenges Sri Lankan farmers face due to
increasing soil salinity, and ways of addressing these.

Read more: *
<https://www.aesanetwork.org/blog-165-soil-salinity-in-paddy-fields-of-sri-lanka-and-best-practices-to-avoid-crop-failures-due-to-soil-salinity/>https://www.aesanetwork.org/blog-165-soil-salinity-in-paddy-fields-of-sri-lanka-and-best-practices-to-avoid-crop-failures-due-to-soil-salinity/
<https://www.aesanetwork.org/blog-165-soil-salinity-in-paddy-fields-of-sri-lanka-and-best-practices-to-avoid-crop-failures-due-to-soil-salinity/>*
------------------------------

Adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) to halt soil salinization in
Bangladesh coastal region

“Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity” is the theme of this
year’s World Soil Day (5 December). As a country with a large coastline,
saltwater intrusion has significant adverse impacts in Bangladesh. To
address the land degradation due to salinization, the country should adopt
a strategy for sustainable land management, opine Dr Jalal Uddin Md.
Shoaib.

Read more: *
<https://www.aesanetwork.org/blog-166-adoption-of-sustainable-land-management-slm-to-halt-salinization-in-bangladesh-coastal-region/>https://www.aesanetwork.org/blog-166-adoption-of-sustainable-land-management-slm-to-halt-salinization-in-bangladesh-coastal-region/
<https://www.aesanetwork.org/blog-166-adoption-of-sustainable-land-management-slm-to-halt-salinization-in-bangladesh-coastal-region/>*

More information on the AESA (Agricultural Extension in South Asia)
Network *https://www.aesanetwork.org/
<https://www.aesanetwork.org/>*, which is a sub-regional network of GFRAS
(Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services)

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

Soil salinity

Halophytes are plants which can live, grow, and multiply in saline and
sodic conditions. They can even rehabilitate salt-affected soils!

Learn more about soil salinity *
<http://tiny.cc/jkemuz?fbclid=IwAR3xEZeDd-eCERf_FUM3Hhe5VJH99-LwVhHrGdasAPHUEvvj6Y2Wdl0TzEE>http://tiny.cc/jkemuz
<http://tiny.cc/jkemuz>*
------------------------------

What drives roots’ decomposition and carbon storage in grassland soils?

You most likely know that roots are important for grasses to grow, but the
roots help do other things, too. They build soil carbon and support other
life forms in soil. But did you know that various management tactics can
force grass roots to break down, decompose, and add to the stored *carbon
<https://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/2021/10/01/what-is-soil-carbon/>* pool
in soil?

*
<https://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/what-drives-roots-decomposition-and-carbon-storage-in-grassland-soils/>https://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/what-drives-roots-decomposition-and-carbon-storage-in-grassland-soils/
<https://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/what-drives-roots-decomposition-and-carbon-storage-in-grassland-soils/>*
------------------------------

A ‘debt’ based approach to land degradation as an indicator of global
change

"We propose a way to synthesize different approaches to global map land
degradation by combining vegetation and soil indicators into a consistent
framework for assessing land degradation as an environmental ‘debt’. Our
combined approach reveals a broader lens for land degradation through
global change, in particular, identifying hot-spots for the different kinds
of land degradation."

*
<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.15830?campaign=wolearlyview&fbclid=IwAR1Qgeuv7e-G8p0NqT9xQMtc9yIyIu7UC4caMoi1_ZHT-Dl5QP0CpD2UifU&utm_sq=gu9ln6bmdu>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.15830?campaign=wolearlyview&fbclid=IwAR1Qgeuv7e-G8p0NqT9xQMtc9yIyIu7UC4caMoi1_ZHT-Dl5QP0CpD2UifU&utm_sq=gu9ln6bmdu
<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.15830?campaign=wolearlyview&fbclid=IwAR1Qgeuv7e-G8p0NqT9xQMtc9yIyIu7UC4caMoi1_ZHT-Dl5QP0CpD2UifU&utm_sq=gu9ln6bmdu>*
------------------------------

News from the International Science Council (ISC)

Under the ISC project ‘Science and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction’, the *Global Risks Perceptions Report 2021* was launched,
reporting on the global risk perceptions of leaders from business,
economics, and government. The publication aims to contribute to the
discourse that has been shaped through the respective work of the World
Economic Forum and to spark dialogue, identify knowledge gaps, and support
the growth of a multi-sectoral scientific community working to better
understand and provide solutions to global risks.

Read more: *
<https://link.council.science/click/1XxqsK9EFN0tNg.IBjUIsMzbzcKO/nGOJCQvq/3s/council.science/current/news/global-risks-perceptions-report-2021-released/>https://council.science/current/news/global-risks-perceptions-report-2021-released/
<https://council.science/current/news/global-risks-perceptions-report-2021-released/>*

Access and share the report: *
<https://link.council.science/click/1XxqsK9EFN0tNg.IBjUIsMzbzcKO/QLs6CqFH/3s/council.science/publications/global-risks-perceptions-report-2021/>https://council.science/publications/global-risks-perceptions-report-2021/
<https://council.science/publications/global-risks-perceptions-report-2021/>*

Secondly, *‘A Framework for Global Science in Support of Risk-informed
Sustainable Development and Planetary Health’* was published in early
December. The document takes stock of recent developments in disaster risk
science and provides a compelling set of directions for research and
scientific collaboration for a more holistic and collaborative approach to
understanding and managing risks.

Read more: *
<https://link.council.science/click/1XxqsK9EFN0tNg.IBjUIsMzbzcKO/Gluykooi/3s/council.science/publications/risk-informed-sustainable-development-planetary-health/>https://council.science/publications/risk-informed-sustainable-development-planetary-health/
<https://council.science/publications/risk-informed-sustainable-development-planetary-health/>*

*Launch of the ISC Global Commission on Science Missions for Sustainability*

Political leaders, scientists, and influential personalities have issued an
emergency warning on sustainability inaction by establishing a Global
Commission to mobilize a $100 million a year global fund for Sustainability
Science Missions - this will be a key priority for the ISC in the coming
years, and is one of the outputs from the ISC Global Forum of Funders
initiative and its report ‘Unleashing Science’. The Commission of more than
twenty high-level committed thought leaders will be chaired by Irina
Bokova, former UNESCO Director-General, and Helen Clark, former Prime
Minister of New Zealand and previous administrator of the UNDP.

Access and share the press release: *
<https://council.science/current/press/sustainability-missions/>https://council.science/current/press/sustainability-missions/
<https://council.science/current/press/sustainability-missions/>*

Explore the multimedia portal ‘Unleashing Science - Delivering Missions for
Sustainability’: *
<https://stories.council.science/unleashing-science/>https://stories.council.science/unleashing-science/
<https://stories.council.science/unleashing-science/>*

Read the report: *
<https://council.science/Commission/Report>https://council.science/Commission/Report
<https://council.science/Commission/Report>*

[From ISC Update on December 10, 2021]

*Launch of the CFRS paper ‘A contemporary perspective on the free and
responsible practice of science in the 21st Century’*

We invite you to read a letter to ISC Members from the ISC Vice-President
for Freedom and Responsibility in Science, Professor Anne Husebekk: *
<https://council.science/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Letter-to-ISC-Members_10-December-2021.pdf>https://council.science/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Letter-to-ISC-Members_10-December-2021.pdf
<https://council.science/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Letter-to-ISC-Members_10-December-2021.pdf>*

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day (10 December), the ISC’s
Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) has published
the Discussion Paper “A contemporary perspective on the free and
responsible practice of science in the 21st century”.

The Paper is intended for a broad readership, including researchers,
research managers, policymakers, science diplomats, and those in the
private sector. We invite all ISC Members to read, share and discuss the
publication with all those in your network who have a role to play in
upholding the free and responsible practice of science in contemporary
society.

Access and share the press release: *
<https://council.science/current/news/researchers-combat-new-threats-to-key-human-rights/>https://council.science/current/news/researchers-combat-new-threats-to-key-human-rights/
<https://council.science/current/news/researchers-combat-new-threats-to-key-human-rights/>*

Access the paper and explore the multimedia portal: *
<https://stories.council.science/science-freedom-responsibility/>https://stories.council.science/science-freedom-responsibility/
<https://stories.council.science/science-freedom-responsibility/>*

[From ISC Update on December 10, 2021]

*ISC 2022 – 2024 Action Plan published*

We thank all of our Members for your input and feedback on the draft 2022 –
2024 Action Plan, which was adopted by the ISC membership at the 2nd ISC
General Assembly in October. “Science and Society in Transition” sets out
the framework of ISC activities over the next three years, outlining five
priority domains. The document is now available online, including a
print-friendly version, and we very much look forward to implementing the
plan together with our Members.

Access the Action Plan: *
<https://council.science/publications/action-plan-2022-2024/>https://council.science/publications/action-plan-2022-2024/
<https://council.science/publications/action-plan-2022-2024/>*

[From ISC Update on December 10, 2021]

*International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development
proclaimed*

On 2 December, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution
proclaiming 2022 the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable
Development to highlight the crucial role of basic sciences for sustainable
development, and emphasize their contributions to the implementation of the
2030 Agenda and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The
proposal for the Year was developed by ISC Member, the International Union
of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), with the encouragement and support of
the ISC and you, our Members, as well as partner institutions and the
UNESCO. Congratulations to the IUPAP on having this International Year
endorsed by the United Nations.

Access the press release: *
<https://council.science/current/press/international-year-of-basic-sciences-proclaimed-un/>https://council.science/current/press/international-year-of-basic-sciences-proclaimed-un/
<https://council.science/current/press/international-year-of-basic-sciences-proclaimed-un/>*

[From ISC Update on December 10, 2021]
------------------------------

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops

*Due to the Corona pandemic and ensuing travel restrictions many of the
events planned for 2020 and 2021 had to be cancelled or postponed. For a
current list of upcoming events, please consult the IUSS website: **
<https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/>https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/
<https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/>*

* <https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/>*

* <https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/>*
2022Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) - Theme “Sustainable Land
Use: Food Security Starts with the Soil”

Monday, 24 January 2022 to Friday, 28 January 2022

Virtual event

IUSS expert panel "Global perspectives on sustainable soil management
towards food security", 24 January 2022, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. (CET)

Panel details: *
<https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/fachpodien_2022/iuss/>https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/fachpodien_2022/iuss/
<https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/fachpodien_2022/iuss/>*

Read more: * <https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/>https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/
<https://www.gffa-berlin.de/en/>*

<https://www.iuss.org/media/soil_judging_programme_english.jpg>
------------------------------

16th International Conference on Soil Micromorphology (ICoSM), Kraków, 2022

September 4-8, 2022, Kraków, Poland. Venue: Jagiellonian University.

Registration and abstract submission now open.

Read more: *http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/ <http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/>*

Download the circular
*http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1st_Circular_ICoSM_2022_Krakow.pdf
<http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1st_Circular_ICoSM_2022_Krakow.pdf>*

The optional micromorphological course is to take place on August 29 –
September 3, 2022. All necessary information is available at
*http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/course/
<http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/course/>*

The optional post-conference trip will take place from September 9th to 11th,
2022. The detailed information about the trip is available at
*http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/trips/
<http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/trips/>*

We offer three ICoSM 2022 Young Micromorphologist Awards, which are
supported by the IUSS Stimulus Fund. Details at
*http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/scholarships/
<http://www.icosm2020.sggw.pl/scholarships/>*

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

*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 publicationsA Visual Atlas for Soil Micromorphologists

By Eric P. Verrecchia, Luca Trombino. Springer, 2021. 177 pages, 1 b/w
illustration, 81 illustrations in colour. Hardcover ISBN 978-3-030-67805-0,
softcover ISBN 978-3-030-67808-1, eBook ISBN 978-3-030-67806-7, DOI *
<https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67806-7>https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67806-7
<https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67806-7>*; price hardcover EUR 54.99,
price softcover EUR 43.99.

This open access atlas is an up-to-date visual resource on the features and
structures observed in soil thin sections, i.e. soil micromorphology. The
book addresses the growing interest in soil micromorphology in the fields
of soil science, earth science, archaeology and forensic science, and
serves as a reference tool for researchers and students for fast learning
and intuitive feature and structure recognition. The book is divided into
six parts and contains hundreds of images and photomicrographs. Part one is
devoted to the way to sample properly soils, the method of preparation of
thin sections, the main tool of soil micromorphology (the microscope), and
the approach of soil micromorphology as a scientific method. Part two
focuses on the organisation of soil fragments and presents the concept of
fabric. Part three addresses the basic components, e.g. rocks, minerals,
organic compounds and anthropogenic features. Part four lists all the
various types of pedogenic features observed in a soil, i.e. the imprint of
pedogenesis. Part five gives interpretations of features associated with
the main processes at work in soils and paleosols. Part six presents a view
of what the future of soil micromorphology could be. Finally, the last part
consists of the index and annexes, including the list of mineral formulas.
This atlas will be of interest to researchers, academics, and students, who
will find it a convenient tool for the self-teaching of soil
micromorphology by using comparative photographs.

Read more: *
<https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030678050>https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030678050
<https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030678050>*
------------------------------

Soil Organic Matter and Feeding the Future - Environmental and Agronomic
Impacts

Edited by Rattan Lal. 1st edition published December 9, 2021 by CRC Press,
series Advances in Soil Science. 428 pages, 32 color & 58 B/W
illustrations. Hard cover ISBN 9780367609702; price GBP 120.00.

Soil organic matter (SOM) is the primary determinant of soil functionality.
Soil organic carbon (SOC) accounts for 50% of the SOM content, accompanied
by nitrogen, phosphorus, and a range of macro and micro elements. As a
dynamic component, SOM is a source of numerous ecosystem services critical
to human well-being and nature conservancy. Important among these goods and
services generated by SOM include moderation of climate as a source or sink
of atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases, storage and purification of
water, a source of energy and habitat for biota (macro, meso, and
micro-organisms), a medium for plant growth, cycling of elements (N, P, S,
etc.), and generation of net primary productivity (NPP). The quality and
quantity of NPP has direct impacts on the food and nutritional security of
the growing and increasingly affluent human population. Soils of
agroecosystems are depleted of their SOC reserves in comparison with those
of natural ecosystems. The magnitude of depletion depends on land use and
the type and severity of degradation. Soils prone to accelerated erosion
can be strongly depleted of their SOC reserves, especially those in the
surface layer. Therefore, conservation through restorative land use and
adoption of recommended management practices to create a positive
soil-ecosystem carbon budget can increase carbon stock and soil health.

Read more: *https://www.routledge.com/Soil-Organic-Matter-and-Feeding-the-Future-Environmental-and-Agronomic/Lal/p/book/9780367609702#
<https://www.routledge.com/Soil-Organic-Matter-and-Feeding-the-Future-Environmental-and-Agronomic/Lal/p/book/9780367609702>*
------------------------------

Interfacial Chemistry of Rocks and Soils

By Noémi M. Nagy, József Kónya. 2nd edition published October 28, 2021 by
CRC Press. 272 pages, 14 color & 45 B/W illustrations. Hard cover ISBN
9780367856823, price GBP 96.00.

Knowledge of the basic interactions that take place between geological
materials and different substances is the first step in understanding the
effects of adsorption and other interfacial processes on the quality of
rocks and soils, and on driving these processes towards a beneficial or
neutral result. Interfacial Chemistry of Rocks and Soils examines the
different processes at solid and liquid interfaces of soil and rock,
presenting a complete analysis that emphasizes the importance of chemical
species on these interactions. Furthermore it examines the role of these
processes in environmental, colloid and geochemistry; and explores the
effects on agricultural, environmental and industrial applications.

This Second Edition features novel results in the field and expanded
coverage of the kinetics of interfacial processes. New content includes
models of heterogeneous isotope exchange, sorption isotherms for
heterovalent cation exchange, as well as sorption of anions by chemically
modified clays.

Read more: *
<https://www.routledge.com/Interfacial-Chemistry-of-Rocks-and-Soils/Nagy-Konya/p/book/9780367856823>https://www.routledge.com/Interfacial-Chemistry-of-Rocks-and-Soils/Nagy-Konya/p/book/9780367856823
<https://www.routledge.com/Interfacial-Chemistry-of-Rocks-and-Soils/Nagy-Konya/p/book/9780367856823>*
------------------------------

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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