International Decade of Soils
IUSS proclaims the International Decade of Soils 2015-2024
In the Vienna Soil Declaration of Dec. 7, 2015, the IUSS has identified the key roles played by soils in addressing the major resource, environmental, health and social problems which humanity is currently facing. Given this situation, the IUSS believes that it is incumbent on IUSS members to not only maintain the level of activity generated in IYS 2015 but to increase the momentum and the extent of our contributions on these issues as we move towards the Centenary of the IUSS formation in 2024. In the course of the highly successful conference ‘Celebration of International Year of Soils 2015 – Achievements and Future Challenges’ the International Decade of Soils 2015-2024 was proclaimed by Rainer Horn, IUSS President.
The Executive Committee and the Council of the IUSS will play a pivotal role in setting overall objectives and directions during this period. However, it is essential that all Divisions, Commissions, Working Groups, National, Regional and individual Members but also experts of related fields of expertise accept the challenge to undertake activities to ensure that the significance of soils in maintaining healthy life and environment remain continually at the forefront of political and scientific planning and decision making.
The International Decade of Soils shall thus be a continuation of the efforts made during the International Year of the Soils 2015. It will be marked by a number of activities on the national and international levels.
IUSS-Text IDS
Vienna Soil Declaration December 7th 2015
Vienna Soil Declaration December 7th 2015 – Portuguese Version
Vienna Soil Declaration December 7th 2015 – German Version
Vienna Soil Declaration December 7th 2015 – Spanish Version
Vienna Soil Declaration December 7th 2015 – Japanese Version
Download the IDS Logo for own purposes
International Decade of Soils
International Decade of Soils
International Decade of Soils
IUSS – FAO – GSP children’s book co published 2021 and 2022
“The magical world of soil biodiversity” A collection of 10 children´s stories from around the world. 2021. © FAO and IUSS. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4185en
“Salty soils adventures” A collection of 10 children´s stories from around the world. 2022. © FAO and IUSS. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0530en
IUSS – FAO – GSP children’s book contests 2020 and 2021
In the framework of World Soil Day (WSD), FAO, IUSS and GSP launched:
In 2020, a scientific children’s book contest on Soil Biodiversity with the motto “Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity”.
In 2021, a scientific children’s book contest on salt-affected soils with the motto “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity”.
IUSS GOES TO THE SCHOOL educative project
The IUSS GOES TO THE SCHOOL educative project edited and published 12 children’s books in English and Spanish, and some in Polish or Portuguese. https://www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx/booklets/
22 Crop cards for children and teachers in English, Spanish and German: https://www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx/crop-cards/
IUSS Calendar ‘Soilutions’ available
IUSS considers stopping soil degradation as one of its most important tasks, and invited to propose ‘Soilutions’ in the form of a poster in order to preserve this unique resource and life itself.
The ideas and proposals should represent the role of the soil as an essential natural resource to preserve the environment. This is very relevant for reaching many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The contest was an initiative under the umbrella of the International Decade of Soils 2015-2024 which shall contribute to increase the awareness about the importance of soil.
Based on the best 12 posters a permanent calendar was produced, which can be downloaded here:
IDS Calender
If you want to print the calendar, please download this version:
IDS Calender – Print Version
Winners of the IUSS-FAO-GSP Children’s Book Contest on Soil Biodiversity
IUSS, FAO and GSP received over 100 books from 60 countries for the contest. Launched in the run-up to WSD2020, the book contest on soil biodiversity gave visibility to the importance of soil organisms and raised awareness on the urgency of protecting soil biodiversity.
In the framework of World Soil Day 2020 IUSS, FAO and GSP are pleased to announce the winners of the Children’s Book Contest on Soil Biodiversity.
Congratulations to the winners and finalists and a big thank you to all participants! Read more: https://www.iuss.org/international-decade-of-soils/iuss-goes-to-school/
IUSS – FAO – GSP children’s book contest on Soil Biodiversity
In the framework of World Soil Day (WSD) 2020, FAO, IUSS and GSP launched a scientific children’s book contest on Soil Biodiversity with the motto “Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity”. FAO, IUSS and GSP invite all those interested in soil and biodiversity – soil scientists, researchers, professors, teachers, classrooms, individual students, soil practitioners, designers, photographers or experts from any professional background – to submit their freestyle book proposal by 10 November 2020. In the submission email, author(s) must fill out and submit the mandatory Registration form. The winner will receive a cash prize of 1 000 USD, second and third prize will receive a cash prize of 500 USD and 250 USD respectively from IUSS and FAO’s GSP. The winners will be announced on World Soil Day, 5 December 2020.
Read more: https://www.iuss.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/iuss_gsp_contest.docx
Flyer: https://www.iuss.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gsp_iuss_booklet_contest.jpg
Results of IUSS Poster Contest ‘Soilutions’ to solve soil degradation problems
IUSS considers stopping soil degradation as one of its most important tasks, and invited to propose ‘Soilutions’ in the form of a poster in order to preserve this unique resource and life itself.
The ideas and proposals should represent the role of the soil as an essential natural resource to preserve the environment. This is very relevant for reaching many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The contest was an initiative under the umbrella of the International Decade of Soils 2015-2024 which shall contribute to increase the awareness about the importance of soil.
IUSS received 42 posters which were evaluated by a Committee. After the evaluation results were approved by the Executive Committee, the IUSS awarded Hernández Huerta Aldo Alfredo (Mexico) with 1,000 USD for the best ‘Soilutions’ poster and Richard Gantlett (United Kingdom) and the group of M.A. Samarasekara, A.G.S.D. De Silva and R. Thusyanthini (all Sri Lanka) with 500 USD each for the second and third best posters. The best 12 posters plus a cover poster shall be used to produce a ‘Soilutions’ calendar.
IUSS thanks all contestants and congratulates the winners!
Winning posters: Results of IUSS Poster Contest Soilutions to solve soil degradation problems
Winning poster of IUSS Poster Contest ‘Soilutions’ to solve soil degradation problems
IUSS Global Soil Icon Contest – results
Soil is the essence of all terrestrial life, and critical to the delivery of major ecosystem services for human wellbeing and nature conservancy. Thus, IUSS launched a contest looking for an iconic symbol that represents major ecosystem services of soil, while being simple and easy to be comprehended by the general public.
The deadline for submissions was 15 March 2018, and a total of 22 interesting soil icons were received. Here, the IUSS Secretariat would like to thank all contestants for their stimulating submissions. The selection committee, comprised of members of the IUSS Executive Committee, decided to award 2,500 USD of the IUSS Stimulus fund to the winning soil icon created by Monique Lima de Oliveira and Alessandro Samuel-Rosa (Brazil).
The winning icon will be used during the International Decade of Soils (2015-2024), an initiative launched by the International Union of Soil Sciences to raise awareness of the key roles played by soils.
The best 12 icons out of all submitted icons will be displayed on the IUSS website (one per month).
Read more: https://www.iuss.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/samuel-rosa_alessandro_soil-icon_description.pdf
Read more (Italian translation): https://www.iuss.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/global_soil_icon-it.pdf
Activities of Soil Science Societies and Soil Institutions
2017
Soils in Landscapes of the World – 2018 Calendar
This 2018 Calendar showing Soils in Landscapes of the World was designed in the Department of Soil Science and Landscape Management, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland, to celebrate 2018 as the next year of the FAO UNESCO International Decade of Soils (2015-2024) and also the 100 anniversary of the Polish Geographical Society (1918-2018). Authors of the photos: Marcin Switoniak (tundra and mountain landscapes) and Michal Jankowski (others)
Soils in Landscapes of the World – 2018 Calendar
2016
27.4.2016
Latin-American Soil Science Society and the Latin-American network for soil science teaching & learning:
Thus are Soils of my Nation!
Based on the FAO Global Soil Partnership and the International Decade of Soils, the program Thus are Soils of my Nation – an educational project of the Latin-American Soil Science Society and the Latin-American network for soil science teaching & learning – would like to invite the global soil community and the general public to participate in an awareness campaign about the value of the soil for life.
The goal is to create a “Soil’s Friends Virtual Network”, in which all people who are interested globally collaborate on diverse levels to educate and generate public awareness of the need to preserve the soil as an essential part of the environmental balance.
Download Information:
SLCS – Thus are Soils of my Nation
IUSS book series
As one of the outreach activities during the International Decade of Soils (2015-2024) the IUSS launched a book series. These books are not only addressed to soil scientists, but also to academic students of other sciences. These books shall shed light on important soil issues related to other disciplines and global challenges.
Sustainable soil management as a key to preserve soil biodiversity and stop its degradation
Within the framework of the International Decade of Soils (IDS) 2015-2024 and continuing with the objective of publishing and distributing material relevant to the interests of the IUSS and its members an IUSS Open Access Book Series was launched under a Creative Commons license. This is the first book of the Open Access IUSS Book Series celebrating the 98th anniversary of IUSS as it was published on May 19, 2022.
Soil Biodiversity was proposed as a current topic of great scientific, social, economic, and political importance for the present IUSS book. The book was written from an interdisciplinary perspective covering the current state of the art in this area. Perspectives of various points of view and interactions are reflected according to the different areas of knowledge of soil sciences offered by the authors. That is why the book contains both experimental data and conceptual information, didactic experiences, and reviews organized in four different sections.
Read more: IUSS Soil biodiversity book
Soil Sciences Education: Global Concepts and Teaching
Edited by Takashi Kosaki, Rattan Lal, Laura Bertha Reyes Sánchez Published in the series GeoEcology Essays in December 2020 by Schweizerbart.
The International Union of Soil Sciences has identified education and public awareness of soils and soil sciences as one of the most important goals of the International Decade of Soils 2015-2024, which is reflected in this book. This book addresses readers primarily involved in teaching soils, geosciences, environment, ecosystems, art, etc., in schools, and who serve at museums, educational or extension organizations, NPOs, NGOs, etc. It’s authors provide a basic framework and a collection of good practices currently used in soil and soil sciences education to make students aware of soils and their importance. Specifically, this publication strives to enable readers to learn and share whatever is best suited to fit their particular requirements.
Readers are encouraged to further improve the methods and contents of soil sciences education for the future, and to provide new knowledge and innovative tools for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and beyond.
Read more: Soil Sciences Education: Global Concepts and Teaching
Global Soil Proverbs. Cultural Language of the Soil
Edited by Jae E. Yang; M. B. Kirkham; Rattan Lal; Sigbert Huber. Published in the series GeoEcology Essays in December 2018 by Schweizerbart.
Proverbs are truths that link one generation to another. They have been passed down through millennia to provide advice about how to live life. Every country has a vast archive of proverbs that have been handed down orally from generation to generation. The objective of this book is to compile soil proverbs and, through them, share insights about philosophy, culture, and life in each country, as they relate to soils. The book features 32 chapters from 29 different countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.
The authors of the individual chapters provide soil proverbs in both English and their native language. Chapters are illustrated with pictures related to the respective proverbs.
Soil and Sustainable Development Goals
Edited by Rattan Lal, Rainer Horn and Takashi Kosaki. Published in the series GeoEcology Essays in July 2018 by Schweizerbart.
This book aims to document the importance of soil and soil protection to reaching these Sustainable Development Goals. This fifteen-chapter book, authored by experienced and knowledgeable researchers from around the world, is a synthesis of the knowledge and state-of-the- science, linking soil properties and processes to specific SDGs. The volume highlights individual soil related aspects of these SDGs, such as the contribution of soil science, soil management and use, measures to minimize erosion, climatic effects, carbon sequestration by soils, soil restoration, the role hydrology plays in sustainable soil management, ways to preserve soil structure of fertile volcanic soils.
Read more: https://old.iuss.org/publications/soil-publications/soil-and-sustainable-development-goals/
The Nexus of Soils, Plants, Animals and Human Health
Edited by Bal Ram Singh, Michael J. McLaughlin and Eric Brevik on behalf of the IUSS; Published as GeoEcology essay by Schweizerbart in November 2017. The 21 contributions in this book describe the role soils play for plant, animal and human health. They show that soil- and human health are intricately connected, because healthy soils produce healthy crops, which in turn nourish humans and animals, allowing for their health and productivity. The book summarizes the current state of research of these important issues and provides a comprehensive treatise of the global importance of soils for humankind.
Soils within cities – Global approaches to their sustainable management
Edited on behalf of the International Union of Soil Sciences, this book is the result of a joint effort of the international SUITMA (Soils of the Urban, Traffic, Mining and Military Areas) working group of the International Union of Soil Sciences. The book undertakes to shed light on the role and importance of soils in cities, and stresses the need to consider and manage this unique component of the urban ecosystem on our way to build sustainable cities. Thirty-four short contributions comprehensively highlight key aspects and characteristics of soils of the urban ecosystem and the problems and challenges associated with them.
Read more: https://old.iuss.org/publications/soil-publications/soils-within-cities/
Task Force: Soil Matters – Solutions under foot
Edited by Stephen Nortcliff on behalf of the International Union of Soil Sciences, Nov. 2015, Catena Verlag, GeoEcology Essays. 160 pages, numerous figures, photos, tables. ISBN 978-3-923381-63-0. Price Paperback 14,90 EUR. Contact for order: catenaverl[at]aol.com. This collection of papers seeks to illustrate the diversity of the soils and soil functions and shows the importance of soils for all aspects of our lives. The eight sections of the book deal with soil threats, soil carbon, biodiversity, land use and the environment as well as society. Soil value and ecosystem services as well as the international year of soils are specific topics of this book.
Read more: https://old.iuss.org/publications/soil-publications/task-force-soil-matters-solutions-under-foot/
Collection of Personal Histories – A Centenary Project of the IUSS
As part of a suite of projects established to help commemorate the Centenary of the IUSS, a project has been established to create a Collection of Personal Histories of leading senior figures working within the areas of the soil sciences represented by IUSS. The Collection of Personal Histories will form a valuable record of the development of soil sciences around the world and the contributions made by individuals involved.
The Personal Histories will be collected in the form of an interview using a standard set of questions with allowance for some variations which are particularly relevant to the person being interviewed. Written interview summaries, together with obituaries of earlier eminent soil scientists plus other historical documentation, will be used to produce a book to mark our centennial celebrations. Collected summaries and comments are provided on this page.
Don Nielsen
Don Nielsen
Don Nielsen
The IUSS goes to the school
IUSS – FAO – GSP children’s book on soil salinization co-published in 2022
This book is the collection of some of the best entries of a scientific children’s booklet contest on salt-affected soils with the motto “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity”. It followed a regionally balanced approach in order to effectively reach children from all around the world and raise awareness for the urgency of fighting salinisation and sodification processes. “Salty soils adventures” A collection of 10 children´s stories from around the world. 2022. FAO and IUSS.
Read more: https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0530en
(see more details here: http://www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx/)
World Soil Day 2021 – poster and children’s booklet contest
In the framework of World Soil Day (WSD) 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) launched a scientific children’s booklet contest and a poster contest on salt-affected soils with the motto “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity”.
© FAO/GSP/IUSS Poster contest by kids for kids
Poster contest by kids for kids:
We are inviting children and teens, from ages 5 to 14, living in areas affected by soil salinization, to use their imagination and create a poster for kids that illustrates how soil salinization affects their daily lives.
The competition is divided into the following categories:
Category A | age range between 5-10 years old
Category B | age range between 10-14 years old
The two winning posters (one per each category) will be selected and announced on the FAO WSD and IUSS websites on the 5th December 2021, World Soil Day.
Deadline for submission: 22 November 2021
Read more: http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/poster-contest/en/
© FAO/GSP/IUSS Children’s Booklet Contest
Children’s Booklet Contest:
We are inviting anyone who is interested in soil to submit a children’s booklet on the impacts of salinization, its consequences on the livelihood and welfare of the affected populations and ecosystems by affecting food production.
The winner will receive a cash prize of 1 000 USD, second and third prize will receive a cash prize of 500 USD and 250 USD, respectively, from IUSS and FAO’s GSP. The winners will be announced on World Soil Day, 5th December 2021.
Deadline for submission: 22 November 2021
Read more: http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/booklet-contest/en/
IUSS and FAO launched Children’s book “The magical world of soil biodiversity”
During the Opening Day of the Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity (GSOBI21), ‘Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity’, a science-policy meeting that takes place from 19-22 April 2021, IUSS and FAO launched their children’s book “The magical world of soil biodiversity”. This collection of 10 stories includes the best entries received from a total of 97 books spanning over 75 countries.
In the framework of World Soil Day 2020, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), the educative project “THE IUSS GOES TO THE SCHOOL”, and the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) launched a children’s book contest on Soil Biodiversity with the motto “Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity”. The book contest on soil biodiversity has given visibility to the importance of soil organisms and raised awareness on the urgency of protecting soil biodiversity. The soil biodiversity book competition highlights the importance of soil organisms and raises awareness of the urgent need to protect soil biodiversity among a young audience (children aged 6-11 years).
Presentation given by Laura Bertha Reyes Sánchez, IUSS President 2021-2022: laura_book_presentation.pdf
Discover and download the book: https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4185en
Winners of the IUSS-FAO-GSP Children’s Book Contest on Soil Biodiversity
In the framework of World Soil Day 2020 IUSS, FAO and GSP are pleased to announce the winners of the Children’s Book Contest on Soil Biodiversity:
1st place: ‘The science & spectacle of Soil Life by Roly Poly’, created by JiaJia Hamner (freelance, United States) and Sharada Keats (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, United Kingdom).
Download the book:
2nd place: ‘Soil biodiversity. What’s most important?’ by Katelyn Lutes and Benjamin Ellert (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada).
Download the book:
3rd place: ‘The home of life. I am a living soil’, by Claudio Lucas Capeche, Julia Franco Stuchi, Milena Pessoa Pagliacci, Fabrício de Martino, Alexandre Abrantes Cotta de Mello, Antonio Augusto Bianchi, Maya Stuchi Tedjini, Kelita Carlos Andrade (Embrapa Solos, Brazil).
Download the book:
All the first ten classified and awarded books as well as the mentions of honour can be found at http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/bookcontest/en/
IUSS, FAO and GSP received over 100 books from 60 countries for the contest. Launched in the run-up to WSD2020, the book contest on soil biodiversity gave visibility to the importance of soil organisms and raised awareness on the urgency of protecting soil biodiversity.
Congratulations to the winners and finalists and a big thank you to all participants!
Celebrating World Soil Day 2020, the educative Project ‘THE IUSS GOES TO SCHOOL’
* offers a virtual space to all children around the world inviting them to take care of the soils of their nations: www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx #TheSoilIsLife,
* presents the children from Poland with the Book Chrońmy gleby, the Polish version of the Book “Living in the Soil”, which was created in collaboration with soil science societies from Spain and Poland: https://www.secs.com.es/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ChrońmyGleby-Polish-2020.pdf #GlebaToŻycie,
* offers the Book Vermicomposting for schoolchildren to all children speaking Spanish. #TheSoilIsLife,
English: http://edafoeduca.es/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vermicomposting-Kids-IUSS-SECS-UPV.pdf
Spanish: http://edafoeduca.es/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vermicompostaje-Escolares-IUSS-SECS-UPV.pdf
* gives to all children speaking English and Spanish the Book ’Soil Erosion’. #TheSoilIsLife,
* gives all children speaking English and Spanish the Book ’Perfilito, a very lucky boy’. #TheSoilIsLife,
TROP ICSU and IUSS
TROP ICSU (“Trans-disciplinary Research Oriented Pedagogy for Improving Climate Studies and Understanding”) is a global project funded by the International Council of Science. The project is led by International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) and co-led by International Union For Quaternary Research (INQUA).
IUSS is partner in the project and supports the project by contributing soil related content and by carrying out local workshops (see: https://tropicsu.org/news-and-updates/workshop-for-geography-teachers-in-strobl-austria/).
TROP ICSU provides digital/ICT-based teaching resources that integrate climate studies across the curriculum of Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences and Humanities. These teaching resources (Teaching Toolsand Lesson Plans) are locally rooted in their context, but globally relevant for their science. Please find the most recent project updates here: monthly newsletter
The TROP ICSU team would be glad to learn from your experience related to soil simulators. If you and/or your colleagues are aware of such tools, please submit web links to either projects or web tools that are related to climate change and soil to barbara.birli[at]umweltbundesamt.at
Website: https://tropicsu.org/
TROP ICSU teaching tools overview