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IUSS Alert 226 (August 2024)

IUSS Alert 226 (August 2024)

IUSS News

Presidential Election 2024

The Executive Committee has formalized the candidacy of Prof. Bruce Lascelles, Pror. Ravi Naidu and Prof. Renfang Shen and have officially declared them eligible to ve voted in the next Presidential Elcetion. The Council will be able to vote for the next IUSS President during the Inter-Congress meeting in Nanjing this coming October.


The IUSS will participate in the G7 this coming September 22th in Ortigia, in the island of Sicily in Italy. The event “Suolo e acqua: le emergenze di oggi le risposte di domani – Soil and water: today’s challenges and tomorrow’s solutions” will delve into the pivotal role of soil and water in agriculture, the demands they both face and the future perspectives of such important topics. The event is a two-handed project shared by the IUSS and SISS, the Italian Society of Soil Science and IUSS Full Member.


IUSS-Inter- Congress 2024. First Announcement

Date: October 20th – 24th, 2024
Location: Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre (IYCC), Nanjing, China

Organizers:
Soil Science Society of China
International Union of Soil Sciences

The Inter-Congress agenda consists of IUSS Executive Committee and Council member meetings, with a goal to prepare for the World Congress of Soil Science 2026 (WCSS 2026). In addition, a field trip will be organized to explore the soil resources and rich culture in Nanjing.

Theme:
Soil Health for Future Generations

Meeting Format
The IUSS Inter-Congress 2024 consists of Executive Committee Meetings, Council
Meetings, an international symposium (October 21, 2024), a site visit to the venue of WCSS 2026 (October 22, 2024) and a field trip (October 24, 2024)

International Forum, Monday 21 October 2024
The international forum features four parallel sessions. Talks will be arranged in areas of the four IUSS Divisions (Soil in Space and Time, Soil Properties and Processes, Soil Use and Management, and The Role of Soils in Sustaining Society and the Environment). Online attendance is supported.

Please contact the Chairs of four IUSS Divisions for further details:

Division 1: Chair: Richard Heck, e-mail: rheck@uoguelph.ca
Division 2: Chair: Giuseppe Corti, e-mail: g.corti@staff.univpm.it
Division 3: Chair: Renfang Shen, e-mail: rfshen@issas.ac.cn
Division 4: Chair: Claudio Zaccone, e-mail: claudio.zaccone@univr.it

Contacts
Soil Science Society of China:
Xin Song (International forum)
Lingbo Zhou (Payment)
Feifei Tang (Registration)
e-mail: ic2024@issas.ac.cn

International Union of Soil Sciences:
Irene Fabbri
e-mail: iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it

Website: https://iussic2024.aconf.org/


The bids to host the 2034 WCSS are now open, if you are looking forward to it, just like us, find out how you can apply to be the Country host.
The World Congress of Soil Science is the major IUSS international event, so it is never too early to find out everything there is to know on the application process (download).
Submit yours within November 1, 2025, to iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it


IUSS Centennial Conference Proceedings

A message from the IUSS President

Dear colleagues
We’d like to remind you to submit your short paper or extended abstract for the proceedings of the Centennial. This is a historic occasion not to be missed. Few other scientific societies can boast of having published the proceedings of both their founding conference and their centennial conference! The Royal Society of London and a few others in America have done so, but their founding proceedings were always just a few pages. In our case, we will have the opportunity to compare hundreds of contributions on the same soil subjects! Deadline for submission, September 30, 2024.

Download the template for the extended abstract/short paper.

For information: iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it


2024 IUSS World Soil of the Year

The “Chernozem of the Balti Steppe, Moldova” was officially proclaimed as the inaugural “IUSS World Soil of the Year” during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Centennial Congress and Celebration in Florence. Official nomination of this soil was provided by the Soil Science Society of Poland and the Canadian Society of Soil Science, on behalf of the Moldovan Society of Soil Science. Dr. Boris Boincean received the award from IUSS President Edoardo Costantini, on behalf of the Moldovan Society of Soil Science, and then provided an overview of the Chernozems of the Balti Steppe. This was complemented with a presentation, by Dr. Cezary Kabala (Chair of the IUSS WRB Working Group), on the global significance of chernozemic soils. Further information regarding the 2024 IUSS WSY can be obtained by contacting Dr. Boincean (bboincean@gmail.com).

In recognition of the success of various national programs, the IUSS WSY program has been implemented to enhance soil literacy across numerous countries and on a global scale. It is expected that this will aid in compiling a registry of soil heritage, to recognize the inherent natural and cultural values of soils, thereby helping to open doors for soil science to integrate with environmental protection activities and projects. A dedicated webpage is currently being developed for the WSY program on the IUSS website.

To support promotion of the 2024 IUSS WSY, a special issue of Geoderma Regional will be published with a focus on chernozemic soils internationally – this is now open for submissions. Further details can be obtained by contacting Cezary Kabala (cezary.kabala@upwr.edu.pl).

Efforts are also currently underway to convert the IUSS WSY Task Force to a regular Working Group within Division 1 – Soils in Space and Time. In the meantime, the call for nominations for the 2025 IUSS WSY is already open. Inquiries, regarding either participating in the Task Force/Working Group or the 2025 IUSS WSY call, can be directed to the Chair of Division 1, Richard J Heck (iuss.div1@gmail.com).


First announcement SUITMA13 SUITMAs in “One Health Perspective”

The Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET) of the National Research Council (CNR) is keen to invite all the colleagues to participate to the SUITMA (Soils of Urban, Industrial, Traffic, Mining and Military Areas) 13th conference that will be held in Pisa, Italy, from the 5th to the 7th of October, at the CNR Research Area, on behalf of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS).

Topics:

  1. SUITMAs as sink and source of pollutants – Keywords: geochemical cycles- urban food production.
  2. SUITMAs to conserve and improve soil quality and biodiversity – Keywords: soil remediation, soil biology, bioindicators of biological soil quality and functionality, genomics.
  3. SUITMAs improvers and ecosystem services – Keywords: waste materials for soil construction, compost rubble mine waste, Technosols.
  4. SUITMA’s challenges for the future- Keywords: soil pedology, Anthropocene, war.

Date: October 05th – 07th, 2025
Location: CNR-IRET – Pisa, Italy

Deadline:
Call for abstract – opening: 1 March 2025
Abstract Submission (Max 350 characters, oral or poster, topic 1-4): 1 May 2025
Abstract acceptance: 31 May 2025
Deadline for early bird registration: 10 June 2025

During the conference technical visits and social events will be proposed.


Stimulus fund

The new Stimulus Fund Call was launched July 15 and will be open for two months. Do not forget to submit your projects via e-mail to iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it within September 15.


News from national and regional Soil Science Societies 2024

The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS)
NSN EVENT AT NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY

Date: September 3rd from 9AM -4:30PM
Location: Newcastle University, UK

The BSSS Northern Soils Network (NSN) is holding a joint event with the Ecological Continuity Trust which is open to members and non-members.

The day will offer a chance to explore one of the top AgriTech research centres in the UK and the ECT’s Palace Leas experiment.

Read more: British Society of Soil Science – The BSSS Northern Soils Network Annual Meeting (Newcastle)


Soil Science Society of Turkey (SSST)

11th INTERNATIONAL SOIL CONGRESS ON “CHALLENGE SOIL THREATS SAVE YOUR FUTURE HORIZON”

Date: September 23rd – 25th, 2024
Location: Nevsehir-Cappadocia, Türkiye

At the 11th Soil Science Congress, the latest developments and applications of soil science in the world and in our country will be discussed, scientific and technological developments will be presented, environments will be created to discuss research, legal legislation and similar structures, and young academics and researchers will meet both experts in their fields and each other. They will have the opportunity to meet and communicate with representatives of the General Directorates of the relevant ministries of our country, research institutes, universities and non-governmental organizations will participate in the 11th Earth Congress to be held in Nevşehir. In addition to the scientific program, you will have the opportunity to see Cappadocia’s social and cultural heritage up close through social activities.

Important dates:
Announcement of accepted papers: 1 August 2024
Deadline for submission of full texts: 1 September 2024
Announcement of the Congress Program: 15 September 2024
Publication of the Congress Book: 15 October 2024

Read more: https://www.soilcongress.org/


Egyptian Soil Science Society (ESSS)

THE 14TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ESSS IN COLLABORATION WITH SOIL AND WATER DEPT., FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY CAIRO “SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF SOIL AND WATER USES UNDER CLIMATE”

Date: October 1st – 2nd, 2024
Location: Cairo, Egypt

The conference will focus on soil and water resources development: its challenges and different strategies or solutions in the context of global climate change.

Deadline for the conference: Abstracts 31.08. 2024
All abstracts should be sent to: E-mail: ejssci@gmail.com; What’s App.: 0036202979482

For registration: https://forms.gle/i5hWCG6pnCtD6exo9

Topics of the Conference:

  1. Modern technologies and soil science:
  2. Environment and soil sciences:
  3. Global climate change and global soil crisis
  4. Conservation, and preservation of soil and water resources
  5. Agricultural soil systems
  6. Sustainable management under global changes

Read more: The Second Announcement (ESSS 2024) – iuss.org


Colombian Society of Soil Science

XXI CONGRESO COLOMBIANO DE LA CIENCIA DEL SUELO “LA SALUD DEL SUELO COMO BASE PARA EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE”

Date: October 1st – 4th, 2024
Location: Medellín, Colombia

Deadline abstracts presentations: August 30, 2024
Deadline for registration upon departure field: September 10, 2024

Read more: PROGRAMA-GENERAL-CONGRESO-SCCS.pdf (iuss.org)
Sociedad Colombiana de la Ciencia del Suelo (sccsuelos.org)


Colombian Society of Soil Science

WORLD CONFERENCE ON SOIL, WATER, ENERGY AND AIR – EUWCSWEA

Date: October 5th – 6th, 2024
Location: Bogota, Colombia

The conference provides a platform for professionals involved in Soil, Water, Energy and Air to exchange knowledge and gain an insight into the state of the art in the current technology, techniques and solutions in Soil, Water, Energy and Air as they have been developed and applied in different countries.

Important dates:
Submission Deadline: 22nd September 2024
Registration Deadline: 27th September 2024

Read more: https://www.allconferencealert.com/event/1141075
http://eurasiaweb.com/Conference/43678/EUWCSWEA/


Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies

9th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF INTERACTIONS OF SOIL MINERALS WITH ORGANIC COMPONENTS AND MICROORGANISMS (ISMOM)

Date: October 10th – 14th, 2024
Location: Tsukuba, Japan

Commission 2.5 Interfacial reactions of soil International Union of Soil Science

Key topics such as climate change mitigation, soil C sequestration, rock erosion enhancement, and modeling of soil C and N dynamics are directly or indirectly controlled by the interactions of soil minerals with organic matter and microbes (ISMOMs) that occur at different scales. Progress requires the exploration of interfacial reactions between minerals, organic matter and microbes in the soil, not simply the study of soil C in isolation.

Read more: http://web.agr.ehime-u.ac.jp/~soil/OtherInfo_ISMOM2024.pdf


United States Consortium of Soil Science Associations

2024 ASA, CSSA, SSSA INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING AI INNOVATIONS FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE

Date: November 10th – 13th, 2024
Location: San Antonio, Texas and Limited Virtual

Attend the 2024 ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting to inspire change in agronomy, crop, and soil sciences to impact scientific advancement. Rapidly changing climate is one of the greatest challenges for modern agriculture around the world. But there is hope! By leveraging advanced modeling tools, remote sensing, machine vision, autonomous machinery, and robots, AI enables improved soil management, climate-smart farming, and accurate forest mapping. Together, let’s harness the power of AI to revolutionize the future of agriculture at the 2024 ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting. The American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America jointly host the premier gathering of ideas, solutions, and innovation from across the field of environmental sciences. Our Annual Meeting is equal parts science, networking, collaboration, and camaraderie. We welcome emerging learners and leaders from industry, government agencies, and academic institutions to explore advances in agronomic, crop, and soil sciences.

Read more: https://www.acsmeetings.org/register/#:~:text=Held%20November%2010%20%E2%80%93%2013%2C%202024,ceremonies%2C%20and%20enlightening%20field%20tours


The New Zealand Society of Soil Science (NZSSS)

2024 MOANA OCEANIA SOIL JUDGING COMPETITION

Date: November 28th – 1st, December 2024
Location: Rotorua, New Zealand

This prestigious professional development event aims to develop skills and knowledge in practical soil description and classification for understanding and interpreting soil and land use capability. No experience required.

The competition aims to teach and develop knowledge and practical skills in soil description, classification, and land use interpretation. These skills are vital when it comes to understanding and protecting soil. It is a great opportunity for students, researchers, contractors, council scientists, and anyone interested in soils to learn, network, and experience new landscapes and soils.

Read more: Soil Judging Competition | NZSSS Association (soilscience.org.nz)


The New Zealand Society of Soil Science (NZSSS)

SOILS ROTORUA 2024 – A JOINT NZSSS & SSA CONFERENCE
WEAVING SOIL SCIENCE ACROSS CULTURES & ENVIRONMENTS

Date: December 2nd- 5th, 2024
Location: Rotorua Energy Events Centre, New Zealand

Read more: https://www.soilscience.org.nz/soilsrotorua2024


The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS)

THE 2024 BSSS ANNUAL CONFERENCE. SUSTAINABLE SOILS FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET

Date: December 4th- 6th, 2024
Location: Cardiff, UK

The overall conference theme is Sustainable Soils for People and Planet. The packed multi-disciplinary event spanning the built, natural environment and agricultural sectors will provide delegates with a fantastic opportunity to see the latest research and developments within soil science.

Important dates:
Oral abstract submissions will be open until Friday 9 August.
Poster abstract submissions will be open until Friday 6 September.

Read more: The 2024 BSSS Annual Conference To Take Place In Cardiff – British Society of Soil Science


News from national and regional soil science societies 2025

Digital Soil Mapping Working Group (DSMWG) & GlobalSoilMap working group (GSM WG) of IUSS

3rd JOINT WORKSHOP ON DIGITAL SOIL MAPPING & GLOBAL SOIL MAP. SOIL MAPPING FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND USE PLANNING

Date: January 21st- 24th, 2025
Location: Bengaluru, India

Important dates:
Abstract Acceptance Notification: 1st September 2024
Early Bird Registration Deadline: 1st October 2024

Read more: https://dsm2025.eventsdashboard.in/


European Confederation of Soil Science Societies

VII INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE ECSSS

Date: September 8th – 12th, 2025
Location: Seville, Spain

EUROSOIL is the official meeting of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS). It is held every four years and is one of Europe’s most important Soil Sciences events. It provides an excellent opportunity for knowledge transfer among the Soil Sciences community. Over 2000 participants are expected to attend the event and present their findings through oral and poster presentations encompassing all scientific aspects of Soil Science. The event will also feature workshops, and an exhibition of products and services aimed at raising awareness in society, facilitating the exchange of ideas and information, and creating business opportunities offering a platform for researchers, scholars and professionals to exchange knowledge, insights, and innovations. Additionally, during this edition of EUROSOIL, the Iberian Congress of Soil Sciences (CICS) will also be held along with the 1st European Soil Judging Contest in Alicante, one week before the event in Seville.

Deadline:
September 2024: Abstract submission & registration opening
31 March 2025: Early registration deadline
15 May 2025: Regular abstract submission deadline
31 May 2025: Abstract notification to authors
15 June 2025: Regular registration deadline
15 July 2025: Last minute submission (only posters)
8 September 2025: EUROSOIL 2025 starts

Read more: e-mail: eurosoil@viajeseci.es
https://soilscience.eu/eurosoil-2025/


Conferences, Meetings and Workshops 2024

Agroecology, Organic, Regenerative, Nature-based: a conversation on food systems sustainability framings

Date: September 3rd, 2024
Location: 2:00- 2:45 PM, Webinar

“Sustainable”, “organic”, “agroecological”, “nature-based”, “regenerative” are increasingly being discussed in the context of food systems. What are the differences and synergies between these concepts and frameworks, and how can they contribute to transforming our food systems.

Read more: Events – Agroecology Coalition (agroecology-coalition.org)


50th CIEC International Fertilizer Conference – Unleashing Fertilizer Use in the Belt and Road Initiative

Date: September 4th – 7th, 2024
Location: Weihai, Shandong (P.R. China)

The purpose of the 50th CIEC International Fertilizer Conference is food security, which is of primary concern on a global scale, as are environmental aspects and issues related to soil protection. China’s new Belt and Road initiative will unleash the potential of vast regions of the globe for sustainable agriculture. CIEC’s ambition is to strengthen scientific exchange and cooperation to support this global challenge.

Read more: https://ciec.iae.ac.cn/ or contact the jieli@iae.ac.cn; with cc to: CIFC50@vodafonemail.de.


22nd IUFoST World Congress 2024 of Food Science and Technology
The future of food is now: Development, Functionality & Sustainability

Date: September 8th – 12th, 2024
Location: Rimini, Italy

Read more: https://iufost2024-italy.com/


International Conference on “Soil Systems Ecology – Organic Matter, Energetics & Turnover”

Date: September 9th – 11th, 2024
Location: Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

The focus of the International Conferences is on the combined consideration of material and energy flows in soils as an expression and driver of biological activity and interaction. It’s time to get a systemic view on energy and matter fluxes and their interactions with living and non-living soil components.

Important dates: Registration Deadline: 21st July 2024

Read more: https://soilsystems.net/events/soil-systems-ecology-international-conference/


CLR Contamination & Land Remediation Expo

Date: September 11th – 12th, 2024
Location: NEC Birmingham, UK

The event is a key gathering for professionals dealing with environmental challenges, including land remediation and soil.

Read more: Contamination & Land Remediation Expo | ESS Expo 11-12 Sep 2024 (ess-expo.co.uk)


British Science Festival

Date: September 11th – 15th, 2024
Location: University of East London, UK

The festival is Europe’s longest standing science Festival, travelling to a different place in the United Kingdom each year. The festival aims to connect people with scientists, engineers, technologists and social scientists. The British Science Association and the University of East London (UEL) organize the British Science Festival that will take place in London across five days after over 20 years since the festival has been hosted in the capital. to enhance engagement between science and our communities, developing citizen scientists and better connecting those under-represented in our society.


Why and how to preserve the soil?

Date: September 12th, 2024
Location: Webinar 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Facilitators and mediators / Scientific and technical experts / General public – the curious / Multi-stakeholder / Organised by AFES / Agricultural professionals
ADEME, AFES, and the association l’Atelier des sols vivants will present their awareness-raising tools for the general public – La Fresque du Sol and the Atelier des sols vivants – and will explain why these tools are complementary to understand everything about soils.

Read more: Webinaire – Pourquoi et comment préserver le sol ? – AFES – Association Française pour l’Étude du Sol


WASWAC 4th International Youth Forum on Soil and Water Conservation (IYFSWC)

Date: September 21st – 24th, 2024
Location: Shenyang, China

In order to help the youth worldwide to play greater roles in the scientific research, technological development, and demonstration & popularization of soil and water conservation, encourage and support the young generation to undertake the historical responsibility entrusted by the times, and to achieve sustainable development in soil and water conservation, World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC) will continue to organize the International Youth Forum on Soil and Water Conservation (IYFSWC) in Shenyang in this coming September.

WASWAC will continue to evaluate the Outstanding Youth Paper, 20240325151638875.pdf (waswac.org.cn), which is set up by WASWAC especially for the outstanding young researchers under the age of 40. The paper passed evaluation will have chance to be published in the official journal of WASWAC – International Soil and Water Conservation Research, and the winners will also be able to obtain a certificate issued by WASWAC and a USD 1000 honorarium.

As an important platform of academic progress presentation and to research ideas exchange, we sincerely invite worldwide scholars, students, and relevant enterprises engaged in the scientific research, technology development, management, teaching and training and engineering design of soil and water conservation, to participate in this forum to share your latest research or technology progress, with oral presentation or poster display.

Award Announcement: Final awardees will be announced in September 2024. The award presentation will be at the 4th International Youth Forum on Soil and Water Conservation.

Read more: WASWAC


ISTRO 2024. 22nd Conference “Living Roots, Living Soils”

Date: September 23rd – 27th, 2024
Location: Virginia Beach VA, USA (Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort)

The theme of ISTRO (International Soil and Tillage Research Organization) 2024 is ‘Living Roots, Living Soils’ and focuses on regenerative agriculture, soil health, cover crops, residue systems and sustainable agricultural production.

Read more: https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/eastern-shore/istro-2024-22nd-conference.html


Global Symposium on Soil Data and Information – FAO GSID24: Hybrid event

Date: September 25th – 28th, 2024
Location: Nanjing, China

The Global Symposium on Soil Information & Data (GSID24), co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization, its Global Soil Partnership and the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ISSCAS). Emphasizing the significance of data-driven decision-making, GSID24 aims to catalyze the development and implementation of policies grounded in robust soil data, thereby enhancing the efficacy of global efforts towards sustainable development and climate resilience.

Read More: Global Symposium on Soil Information and Data | Global Soil Partnership | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)


The Sixth Global Proximal Soil Sensing Workshop

Date: October 14th – 17th, 2024
Location: Ghent, Belgium

The workshop is organized by Ghent University on behalf of the Working Group on Proximal Soil Sensing (WGPSS), established in 2008 under the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS). The Sixth Global Proximal Soil Sensing Workshop will continue the discussion from theoretical and practical perspectives, focusing on the applicability of technology in natural resources management. The Workshop invites participants from academia and industry, working on topics including soil and environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, archaeology, forensic investigations, sensor development, near surface geophysics, spectroscopy, agronomy, spatial statistics, and artificial intelligence.

Important dates:
Full paper submission: August 31st, 2024
Final registration: September 15th, 2024

Read more: Home | GPSS-2024Home | GPSS-2024


10th International Symposium on Forest Soils (ISFS 2024)

Date: October 15th – 19th, 2024
Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, PR China.

The theme of ISFS 2024 is “Forest Soils under Global Change: Processes, Biodiversity and Ecological Services”, and seven topics will be included that range from assessing the impact of global change factors on carbon, water and nutrient cycling, and ecosystem functioning and services to reclaiming degraded forestlands and managing the resilience of reclaimed land.

Read more: https://isfs2024.casconf.cn/page/1450021481600913409


The role of Youth in the Agroecological Transformation: insights from Youth Networks from all over the world

Date: October 16th, 2024
Location: 2:00- 3:00, HYBRID-SIDE EVENT, WORLD FOOD FORUM
In-person: Faisal Room at FAO, Rome, Italy and online: web streaming on World Food Forum website.

Through our hybrid side-event organized during the World Food Forum (15-19 October 2024), we will spotlight the pivotal role of youth in promoting agroecology, connect existing Youth Networks and hope ignite the creation of new movements and initiatives. We will also showcase the innovative contributions of young individuals and groups, inspiring others to join the movement towards sustainable agricultural practices.

Co-organizers: the Agroecology Coalition, the Agroecology Europe Youth Network (AEEUYN) and the Young Professionals for Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD).

Read more: Events – Agroecology Coalition (agroecology-coalition.org)


8th International Symposium on Biofumigation, green manures and cover crops

Date: October 21st – 25th, 2024
Location: San Pedro (BA), Argentina

Read more: https://biofumigacion.ar/en/home/


International Conference: Impacts of Soil Amendments on Dryland Agro-Ecosystems (ISADAE 2024)

Date: October 28th- 30th, 2024
Location: Reims, France

The University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA) with IRD and INRAE organize ISADAE2024 conference aims to provide a platform for discussing the latest research and developments in soil management practices and their impact on dryland agro-ecosystems. It also aims to foster international cooperation in developing strategies and projects for sustainable soil management in dryland agro-ecosystems. The Conference is supported by the European Union’s PRIMA research and innovation program and EXEBIO.

Read more: Included in the registration fees, the ISADAE 2024 conference offer the possibility of publishing a proceeding paper in a Scopus Indexed journal, and to participate in a forthcoming special issue in the newly launched journal Cambridge Prisms: Drylands, details of which will be announced soon.

Conference website: International Conference on The Impact of Soil Amendments on Dryland Agro-Ecosystems – Sciencesconf.org


European Society for Soil Conservation. Global Soils Conference 2024 Caring Soils Beyond Food Security: Climate Change Mitigation & Ecosystem Services

Date: November 19th – 22nd, 2024
Location: NASC Complex, New Delhi

Indian Society of Soil Science, New Delhi under the aegis of International Union of Soil Sciences, Italy in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi.

The main objective of the Global Soils Conference 2024 is ‘Caring soil beyond food security: Climate Change mitigation and Ecosystem Services”. This conference aims to address various challenges, issues and concerns/ importance of soils and the latest technology developments in sustainable soil/resource management in the light of the global issues such as food security, soil health improvement, enhancing input use efficiency through new fertilizers, rapid soil assessment techniques, land degradation, environmental quality, biodiversity protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Read more: http://www.soilconservation.eu/conferences.html#conferences


11th Edition World Soil Day 2024

Date: Novembre 29th to December 5th, 2024
Location: Normandy Region, France

Theme: Soil data and information.
After a successful WSD 2023, the 2024 edition will continue to establish the legitimacy of organizing a large-scale World Soil Day for 4 networks (AFES, Gis Sol, RMT Sols & Territoires and RNEST) in France, and to pursue exchanges on the law on soil health proposed in 2023 by the European Commission.
Finally, AFES, as coordinator of the European SOILSCAPE project (Spreading Open and Inclusive Literacy and Soil Culture through Artistic Practices and Education) funded as part of the objectives of the Mission Soil, this 11th edition of the JMS will continue to strengthen links with artistic players to reach more audiences, potential players in soil preservation.

The program and the speakers will be updated regularly, and the opening of the ticket office is scheduled for mid-October 2024.

Read more: For an overview of the provisional program and further information, go here: https://www.afes.fr/evenements/journee-mondiale-des-sols-2024/


17th International Conference on Soil Micromorphology

Date: December 2nd – 5th, 2024
Location: Puno, Perú

Important dates: Acceptance of abstracts: July – September 2024

Read more: Program – 17th International Conference on Soil Micromorphology in Puno – Peru (puno2024.com)


Budapest Soil Health Forum

Date: December 4th, 2024
Location: Budapest, Hungary

The Budapest Soil Health Forum is to be held in association with the high-level closing event of the Agricultural Chapter of the Hungarian EU presidency.
The Forum aims to bring together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to discuss the latest advancements and applications of artificial intelligence in enhancing soil health.

Important dates:
In-person registration deadline: 15 September 2024
Abstract submission deadline: 15 September 2024
Feedback on abstract acceptance: 30 September 2024
Final program available on 15 October 2024
Registration for online participation 2 December 2024

Registration and participation are free of charge.

Read more: to register or submit a paper: https://www.soilhealthforum.hu/


Conferences, Meetings and Workshops 2025

18th International Symposium on Soil and Plant Analysis.
Advancing Agricultural Science for Global Sustainability

Date: June 9th -13rd, 2025
Pre-Symposium Workshop: June 9th. Post-Symposium Tour: June 14th-16th

Location: Durham, North Carolina USA

The Soil and Plant Analysis Council (SPAC) announces that registration, sponsorship opportunities, and a call for abstracts for the 18th International Symposium on Soil and Plant Analysis (ISSPA) are now open. The meeting of ISSPA 2025 is hosted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and North Carolina State University and will take place in Durham, North Carolina, USA, June 9 – 13, 2025, in partnership with the Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council, Agri-Laboratory Association of Southern Africa, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Global Soil Partnership.

Abstract Deadline: March 7th, 2025
Abstract Acceptance Notification: April 1st, 2025

Read more: International Symposium on Soil and Plant Analysis (ISSPA); info@isspasymposium.org 18th


Opportunities for the IUSS members

New video on soil description and soil classification

Peter Schad and Chris Just from the Technical University of Munich (Germany) made a new video on Soil Description and Soil Classification. It uses the 4th edition of the World Refefence Base for Soil Resources (WRB). The description is according to the new WRB Field Guide (Annex 1 of the WRB Manual – replacing for WRB the FAO Guidelines for Soil Description, 2006) and the classification considers the new WRB edition. It is available here: https://wrb.isric.org/teaching-material/

During COVID, we produced some videos in German: the description according to the German field handbook and the classification according to the German national soil classification and, in English and Spanish, according to the FAO Guidelines for Soil Description (2006) and the 3rd edition of the WRB (2015).

They were published on the teaching platform of our university in 2020 and in 2022 our institute established a YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dL7jrqhzwoFfKNLTwGXxQ.


2025 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World
The call for applications for the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World-Elsevier Foundation is now open. All applications must be submitted online. To help you prepare, you can see our application guidelines here for your reference.

The official language for the application is English.

Deadline: September 16th , 2024
Read more: OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World


GYA Global Young Academy

Call for New Members

The GYA is a global organization that places a high value on its diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates. The call is open to all scholars working in any research-based discipline, including the natural, physical and social sciences, as well as the arts and humanities.

Deadline: September 18th , 2024
Read more: Call for membership


WCRP 2024 Global South Fellowship: focus on Africa

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) announces a research fellowship with a focus on Africa. The fellowship is available through WCRP’s new Global South Fellowship program.

Deadline: September 30th , 2024
Read more: Call for proposals


Practical Introduction to Soils in Great Britain course of BSSS

Date: September 11th – 12th, 2024
Location: Harper Adams University, UK

Over the two days, the course will provide delegates with knowledge of how soils form, why they differ from one place to another, and why and how they are classified.

Read more: British Society of Soil Science – A Practical Introduction to Soils in Great Britain (Harper Adams University)


New publications

British Society of Soil Science: Annual Report 2023

The Annual Report of the BSSS Society sets out considerable achievements against, of its initiatives, spanning professional support for members, enhanced UK and international policy maker engagement, and outreach activities with non-members and the public.

Read More: BSSS_Annual-Report-2023_final_Digital.pdf (soils.org.uk)


International Science Council (ISC)

By: Mukute, M., Colvin, J. and Burt, J. 2024.

Title: Programme Design for Transformations to Sustainability Research: A comparative analysis of the design of two research programmes on transformations to sustainability.

Published by the International Science Council ©, the Belmont Forum and NORFACE, under Creative Commons Licence CC BY-NC 4.0.

DOI: 10.24948/2024.02

Download: ISC-T2SReports-ProgrammeDesign.pdf (council.science)

Read more: URL: https://council.science/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/T2SReports ProgrammeDesign.pdf


International Science Council (ISC)

By: Susanne C. Moser, 2024

Title: Social Transformations to Sustainability through a Critical Lens: Integrative insights from twelve research projects funded under the Transformations to Sustainability research programme (2018–2022).

Published by the International Science Council ©, the Belmont Forum and NORFACE, under Creative Commons Licence CC BY-NC 4.0.

DOI: 10.24948/2024.03

Read More: ISC-T2SReports-Synthesis.pdf (council.science)


International Science Council (ISC)

By: Moser, S. 2024a.

Title: Global environmental change

This report focuses on insights into transformations to sustainability yielded by the three projects funded under T2S1. 10.24948/2024.04

Transformative Labour: The Hidden (and Not-So-Hidden) Work of Transformations to Sustainability. Integrative Insights from Three Transformative Knowledge Networks.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102888

Transformative labor: The hidden (and not-so-hidden) work of transformations to sustainability – ScienceDirect