IUSS Alert 232 (February 2025)

Highlighted IUSS publication

By Division 4
Promoting sustainable land management: An innovative approach to land-take decision-making
By Pranav Gupta, Alka Bharat, Nick McCullen, Tristan Kershaw, Land Use Policy, Vol. 149, February 2025, 107419
Land degradation presents significant global challenges, threatening natural resources, biodiversity, and food security. Addressing this issue requires more effective land-take decision-making processes, particularly in data-deficient cities where comprehensive land assessment methods are challenging to implement. This study introduces a streamlined land-take decision-making framework designed to promote sustainable land management practices.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107419

The economic value of soil functions
By Cristiano Franceschinis, Damien Field, Sofia Mazzucato, Alex McBratney, Jürgen Meyerhoff, Mara Thiene, Encyclopedia of Energy, Natural Resource, and Environmental Economics (Second Edition), Volume 2, 2025, Pages 249-260
Soils, vital for human well-being, serve multifunctional roles, including biomass production, habitat support, water storage, carbon storage, and raw material sourcing. Balancing these functions entails trade-offs, also when it comes to allocating resources to devote to soil protection from threats to its capability of providing services to society. In this context, economic valuation plays a crucial role, especially when considering soil benefits that are not directly reflected in markets. In this chapter we firstly define soil as a resource and outline the threats it currently faces and then present evidence from the literature on the economic valuation of such services. Empirical applications of valuation methods reveal the economic importance of soil services and provide crucial information to inform policies and to help achieving sustainable development goals.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91013-2.00058-7

Increasing pesticide diversity impairs soil microbial functions
By Bang Ni, Lu Xiao, Da Lin, Tian-Lun Zhang, Qi Zhang, Yanjie Liu, Quan Chen, Dong Zhu, Haifeng Qian, Matthias C. Rilligh, and Yong-Guan Zhu, PNAS 2025 Vol. 122 No. 2 e2419917122, Edited by Donald Ort, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL.
Understanding the impacts of pesticide diversity on soil microbial functions remains limited, particularly under different nitrogen fertilizer management practices. Our study demonstrated that higher pesticide diversity can significantly and adversely affect soil microbial functions, thereby intensifying microbial consumption of soil resources. This finding suggests that pesticide diversity acts as an environmental stressor that drives substantial changes in the genomic traits of microbial communities and nutrient cycling in agricultural soils. However, these adverse effects of pesticide diversity can be mitigated by nitrogen fertilizer input. These insights enhance our understanding of the role of pesticide diversity in biogeochemical cycling and soil health, supporting the development of effective nitrogen management strategies in agriculture.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.241991712

State of the art

The IUSS Divisions, Commissions and Working Groups Chairs can now share their publications on the IUSS Alert. Every month, send your publications to the Secretariat and they will be published here. Please do so by the 15 of every month to make sure your articles will be published in the monthly current issue. Let’s keep our community posted on the progress of Soil Sciences.

Next Stimulus Fund Call

The new Stimulus Fund Call was launched January 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, 2025.

Deadlines: March 15 th, 2025

The initial application process requires a short-written proposal of no more than 500 words plus a budget indicating how the funds awarded are to be spent. The funds can be used for a wide range of activities; the principal aims are the promotion and development of Soil Science.

Applications should be sent to: iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it

IUSS Awards

IUSS is seeking nominations for general awards, medals, and prizes for the 2026 WCSS. From research accomplishments to contributions in soil science, there are opportunities for both new and established researchers and scientists. Nomination instructions and award details can be found at https://www.iuss.org/awards-medals-and-prizes/
All nominations are due on 5 June 2025.

News from the IUSS

World Soil Of The Year
2025 IUSS World Soil of the Year

The “Gleysol,- Hydromorphic soil supporting forest growth in the steppe region from the Carpathian Basin”, has been officially named the World Soil of the Year 2025. This soil was proposed by the Hungarian Soil Science Society. It highlights the significance of these unique soils that have a large global coverage, occurring in nearly all climates.
The represented World Soil of the Year soil profile is located on Püspökladány Experimental Station and Arboretum University of Sopron Forest Research Institute (SOE-ERTI). The soil is part of a unique cultural landscape dominated by grasslands and salt effected pastures in the Hungarian Plain. It is located within the Hortobágy National Park, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Man and the Biosphere Program – MAB) and recognized UNESCO World heritage site.
Gleysols are soils that are affected in various areas in the world by land use and management and the indirect and direct effects of climate change. Salinization of groundwater, decreasing groundwater levels and alternation of sediment influx are common.
The election of the ‘Gleysol – hydromorphic soil from the steppe region in the Carpathian Basin’ as the World Soil of the Year 2025, comes amid growing global concerns about soil health and environmental change. Protecting and sustainably managing these hydromorphic soils is essential for mitigating floods, preserving water quality, and ensuring sustainable forest ecosystems in steppe terrains.
Various activities are planned throughout the year to celebrate this achievement, including educational programs, community workshops, and conservation initiatives aimed at promoting awareness of Gleysols’ ecological significance.

World Soil of the Year elections
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.
More information on the World Soil of the Year the Gleysol from the Carpatian Plain can found here:
https://www.iuss.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WSY-Guidelines-2025_postponed-deadline.pdf

2nd Workshop on Soil degradation control, remediation and reclamation

Date: 9th -11th June 2025
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

Organized by: Commission 3.5 of the International Union of Soil Sciences, Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant protection Nikola Poushkarov (ISSAPPNP), Agricultural Academy in cooperation with the Potsdam University and Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.

New Website of Soil Science Society of Poland

The Soil Science Society of Poland has launched a new, refreshed website.
The new site has been designed with user convenience in mind – it is modern, intuitive, and responsive across various devices.
Here, you will find the latest information about PTG’s activities, scientific events, publications, and updates from the world of soil science.

The new website address is: https://ptgleb.pl/en/

News from national and regional soil science societies
2025

AFES (Association Française pour l’Étude des Sols)
WSD 2025

Date: July 7th – 11st, 2025
Location: Geneva, Swiss

2025 Soil Study Days: A Meeting Place for Francophone Researchers and Professionals. The 17th edition of the Soil Study Days (JES 2025) will take place in Geneva from July 7 to 11, 2025, welcoming researchers and professionals working in the field of soil science. JES 2025 is organized by the Geneva School of Landscape, Engineering, and Architecture (HEPIA) and the French Association for Soil Studies, in close collaboration with the Swiss Soil Science Society.
Main Theme
The central theme for this edition is: “Soils, Functions, and Transition”.
In light of current events related to soils from bio-physical, legal, and socio-political perspectives, this edition aims to focus on the role of soils and their functions in our daily lives, as well as methods for evaluating, monitoring, and sustainably managing soils in a transitioning society.
Scope
In addition to the main theme, as is customary for JES, contributions on:
• General soil knowledge,
• Soils in warm regions, and
• Proposals that extend beyond the initial theme, are also welcomed and encouraged.

2025 will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering connections among the French-speaking soil science community and beyond.

Canadian Society of Soil Science

Soils For Our Future – A Gathering of Global to Local Perspectives

Date: July 20th-25th, 2025
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

The SOILS FOR OUR FUTURE 2025 brings together three conference events: 5th Global Soil Security Conference, Canadian Society of Soil Science Annual Meeting, and International Union of Soil Sciences Division 1 – Soils in Space and Time Meeting. Hosted by the Soil Conservation Council of Canada and the Manitoba Soil Science Society. With over 700 researchers, industry members, leaders of farmer organizations, graduate students and other attendees, SOILS FOR OUR FUTURE 2025 provides a global perspective to today’s research to sustain our future. Spanning five days, the conference provides attendees of the events to meet in plenary/technical sessions with their individual organizations and for all to come together in keynote sessions, tradeshow, posters, workshops and field tours.
The Organizing Committee of the Soils For Our Future (SFOF) 2025 International Joint Meeting of the Canadian Society of Soil Science (CSSS), the International Union of Soil Sciences – Division 1 – Soils in Space and Time (IUSS Div 1), and the 5th Global Soil Security (GSS) Conference, hosted by the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) and the Manitoba Soil Science Society (MSSS), would like to remind all that Abstract Submissions for CSSS and IUSS Division 1 joint sessions or GSS plenary sessions are open until March 31, 2025.
Further information can be obtained from the website (soilsforourfuture.ca) or by email (soils2025@mbsoils.ca)

Registration to open: February 2025

European Confederation of Soil Science Societies

VII INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE ECSSS
VII EUROSOIL 2025 & X Congreso Ibérico de la Ciencia del Suelo

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.

Registration:
https://www.eurosoil2025.eu/eurosoil2025/call-abstracts/guidelines

Abstracts Submission:
https://www.eurosoil2025.eu/eurosoil2025/registration/registration-fees

Deadline:
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

e-mail: eurosoil@viajeseci.es

Austrian Soil Science Society

International Symposium 2025
Molecular modeling in soil science – achievements and perspectives
Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire (CECAM-AT)

Date: September 24th-26th, 2025
Location: BOKU University, Vienna, Austria

It is undeniable the major role of soils in ecosystem functions at very different spatial and temporal scales (local and global) from microscopic to macroscopic phenomena. In view of the great demand for information regarding best practices for soil use and management, as well as remediation, new methods traditionally used in other areas have come into play to provide a better understanding of important soil processes and functions. With the arrival of powerful and more efficient computers, molecular modeling has become an important tool, offering insights into scales unattainable experimentally, being able to simulate complex molecular systems. The application of such methods in soil science has proven success to understand the interactions within soil at microscopic level, key to determine the fate of pollutants.
This symposium represents an opportunity to bring together scientists of high prestige in different areas of molecular modeling applied to soil science to discuss the state-of-the-art, promote meaningful discussions and contrast in-depth points of view to determine future perspectives and challenges regarding molecular modeling applied to soil science. Furthermore, the symposium presents an opportunity to foster cooperation and dissemination of knowledge on methods for the simulation of representative soil models, according to today’s needs as well as the prediction of physicochemical properties.
Plenary sessions:

Advances of MM methods in soil science
Soil minerals
Soil organic matter (SOM)
Interactions of minerals and SOM
Fate of contaminants in soils

Registration deadline: July 18, 2025
Read more: https://www.cecam.org/workshop-details/1393

SUITMA13 International Conference

Date: October 5th – 9th, 2025
Location: Pisa, Italy

The Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET) of the National Research Council (CNR) on behalf of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), is pleased to invite colleagues from all around the world to participate in the SUITMA (Soils of Urban, Industrial, Traffic, Mining and Military Areas) 13th international conference, which will be held in Pisa, Italy, from the 5 -9 October 2025, at the CNR (Italian National Research Council) in Pisa.
The conference will focus on “SUITMA from a One Health Perspective”. Soil is a key component of the water and nutrient cycle, and a major contributor to global carbon sequestration. Soil also provides habitats for nearly all land plants, as well as a large proportion of terrestrial fauna. Despite its global importance, it is estimated that one third of global soil is degraded. In anthropized areas, soils undergo many forms of disturbance: manipulation, compaction, and pollution which impact their quality. However, even degraded soils have the potential to alleviate environmental problems and play a vital role in supporting vegetation. Degraded soils of urban areas and other anthropogenic lands merit scientific and professional attention in order to enhance their ecosystem services and to support nature- based solutions, to tackle the urgent challenges of climate change, and for the health of all organisms and ecosystems.
Topics:
• SUITMA as sink and source of pollutants – Keywords: geochemical cycles, urban food production.
• SUITMA to conserve and improve soil quality and biodiversity – Keywords: soil remediation, soil biology, bioindicators of soil quality and functionality, genomics.
• SUITMA improvers and ecosystem services – Keywords: waste materials for soil construction, compost, rubble, mine waste, Technosols.
• SUITMA challenges for the future – Keywords: pedology, Anthropocene, war contamination, emerging contaminants.

Deadlines:
Call for abstract – opening: 3 March 2025
Abstract submission deadline: 2 May 2025
Abstract acceptance: 31 May 2025
Early bird registration deadline: 10 June 2025

News from national and regional soil science societies
2026

Field International Workshop on Paleopedology “Deciphering the ancient anthropic landscape transformation in the southern Maya lowlands in Mexico”

Date: February 19th – 25th, 2026
Location: Palenque, Mexico

The workshop objective is to show different landscapes occupied by the ancient Mayas, from the northern alluvial plain of the Usumacinta River, where people mainly developed small and rural towns, to the highlands at Sierra de Chiapas, where monumental and well-organized cities were constructed. The workshop will consist of two-day conferences and five days of field excursions. During the first two days of the workshop, oral and poster presentations will be conducted. The scientific topics include:
– Soil memory: a key guide for understanding past environmental and human impacts.
– Micromorphology of key pedogenetic processes. Linking microscopic observations and analytical data for differentiating anthropic and natural soil processes.
– Classification of soils in archaeological sites.
– Pedogenesis of anthropogenic soils and ecosystems.
– Novel methods and techniques and quantitative approaches in paleosol studies.

Conference Organizers:
• International Union of Soil Science, IUSS Division 1. Soil in Space and Time, Commission 1.6 – Paleopedology.
• International Union for Quaternary Research, INQUA Working Group.
• Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM).
• Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL).
National Organizing Committee:
• Instituto de Geología, UNAM
Elizabeth Solleiro –solleiro@geologia.unam.mx
Sergey Sedov – serg_sedov@yahoo.com
Daisy Valera – daisyvalera1988@gmail.com
Jaime Díaz – biotic08@gmail.com
• Instituto de Ecología A.C., INECOL
Lilit Pogosyan – lilit.pogosyan@inecol.mx

Soil Science Society of China
The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science – Call for Parallel Session Topics
Date: 7th -12th June, 2026
Location: Nanjing, China
The World Congress of Soil Science is the most authoritative and influential international conference in the field, sponsored by the International Union of Soil Sciences. It is a major event for scientific and technological professionals in soil science and related disciplines worldwide to engage in academic exchange. Held every four years, the conference covers a wide range of topics and serves as a platform for exchange and collaboration among soil scientists from around the globe.
The WCSS2026 theme, ‘Soil and the Shared Future for Mankind’ focuses on the importance of soil for our future, with a variety of arrangements including poster exhibition, young researcher forum and soil judging contest. Tours will also be organized for participants to visit typical soils in combination with unique landscapes and cultural diversification as China is a vast country with rich soil resources.
With a global population that is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, our current and future food security hinges on our ability to increase yields and food quality using the soils that we already have available today. We are responsible for the soils that provide us with food, water and air, and we need to take action today to ensure that we have healthy soils for a sustainable and food secure future. Our understanding of the importance is developing rapidly and the WCSS2026 provides a platform for us to discover the solutions to soil issues and an opportunity to connect all who work with and have interests in soils.
Important dates and deadlines:
March 31st, 2025: Deadline for call for session proposals
May 31st, 2025: Notification of session proposal acceptance
June 01st, 2025: Online registration open
July, 2025: Abstract submission open
November 07th, 2025: Deadline for abstract submission
February 07th, 2026: Notification of abstract acceptance
March 07th, 2026: Deadline for early registration; Deadline for regular registration; Cancellation and refund
Read more: https://www.23wcss.org.cn/

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops
2025

The International Scientific Conference XXVIII Dokuchaev Conference for Young Scientists «Information capacity of knowledge about soil»

Date: 27th, February – 1st, March 2025
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia

The conference is devoted to the information capacity of knowledge about the soil, starting from the origins of the formation of soil science as a science to the present day. The conference is dedicated the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the nuclear industry and Decade of Science and Technology in Russia.

Next events of the soil community

Webinar Building a Greener Future for Sustainable Farming through Fertilizer Innovations – FAO

Date: March 13th, 2025, 2:00–4:00 PM CET
Location: on-line

The International Network on Soil Fertility and Fertilizers, INSOILFER, Working Group 2 on Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Management, invites you to an engaging virtual event on fertilizer innovations. With nearly half the world’s population relying on synthetic fertilizers for food production, improving fertilizer efficiency is more critical than ever. Right now, much of what’s applied to fields, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, goes to waste, leading to environmental issues and economic losses. But fertilizer innovations like enhanced efficiency fertilizers, biofertilizers, and nano-fertilizers are changing the game by increasing crop yields while reducing environmental impact. This webinar brings together top experts from science and industry to explore cutting-edge advancements in fertilizer innovations and the real-world impact of these innovations. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of the future of fertilizers and their role in building a greener tomorrow.
The language of the Webinar is English.

Link to register: https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eQq0I7uxS3aic50P-BDZvw#/registration

Important: Please register in advance to receive the connection details to the event.

International Lysimeter and Ecotron Workshop. “Measurement Methods for Environmental Monitoring “

Date: March 24th-26th, 2025
Location: Hallbergmoos, Germany

The International Lysimeter & Ecotron Workshop gives scientific presentations by renowned soil science researchers for studying soil-plant interactions.

European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly

Date: April 27th to May 2nd, 2025
Location: Vienna, Austria & Online

The EGU General Assembly 2025 brings together geoscientists from all over the world to one meeting covering all disciplines of the Earth, planetary, and space sciences. The EGU aims to provide a forum where scientists, especially early career researchers, can present their work and discuss their ideas with experts in all fields of geoscience.

The abstract submission deadline expired
The meeting programme will become available on 14 March 2025

Read more: https://www.egu25.eu/home.html

Workshop on Palaeosoil Analysis in Late Glacial Sandy Terrains Across Europe

Date: May 5th -7th, 2025
Location: unique and protected environment of the Deliblato Sands, Serbia. Plava Dama Hotel facilities (Banatski Karlovac, Serbia)

This is a workshop on late glacial palaeosoils in sandy terrains across Europe of the multidisciplinary international team of the TERPRO INQUA Project PAST
The overarching goal of PAST is to take first steps in building a comprehensive Upper Pleistocene palaeosoil database from dunes and sandy terrains across Europe. This single-year INQUA project aims to lay the foundation for a future multi-year research initiative.
Important Deadlines:
– 20 March 2025: Registration and abstract submission deadline.
– 1 April 2025: Second circular with a detailed program.

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

The Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress, SRI 2025

Date: June 16th -19th, 2025
Location: Chicago, USA and online

The Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress will celebrate its fifth anniversary in Chicago, Illinois, where it will be held from 16-19 June 2025 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. SRI is an annual convening focused on action-forward, knowledge-based and inclusive approaches to sustainability.
SRI2025 will be the first time the Congress is held in the United States. The event will build on the momentum of Congresses in Australia, South Africa, Panama, and Finland, connecting both in person and around the world with satellite events and interactive online experiences.
The Congress has a global audience with strong participation from industry, governments, civil, non-governmental, Indigenous, and intergovernmental organizations as well as researchers and innovators and the agencies and ministries who fund their forward-looking efforts. Each Congress has attracted around 2000 participants from more than 80 countries.
The SRI Congress series is co-convened by the Belmont Forum and Future Earth. In 2025, we are excited to work with the University of Illinois System to mobilize sustainability solutions in the US and around the world.
SRI2025 will spotlight Pathways to Sustainability, sharing implementation strategies and legacies of successful approaches to critical sustainability concerns facing Chicago, the United States, and the globe. It will also provide opportunities to overcome engagement, policy, resourcing, and other hurdles that slow our transformation to more resilient and equitable futures.
This year’s Congress focuses on Pathways to Sustainable Solutions. I2025hemes
Read more: SRI Congress | Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress

The 10th World Archaeological Congress WAC-10

Date: June 22nd-28th, 2025 Academic sessions
June 17th- 22nd, 2025 and June 28th – July 5th, 2025 Scientific tours
Location: Darwin, Australia & Virtual

The WAC-10 will be hosted by Flinders University in partnership with the Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University. WAC-10 is an opportunity to collaborate with diverse colleagues and friends from around the globe and contribute to global policy making.

Important dates:
Standard registration May 20th, 2025
Late registration June 20th, 2025

17th Symposium on Bacterial Genetics and Ecology – BAGECO 2025 – Bacteria drive our planet’s health (in conjunction with the 11th Theodor Escherich Symposium)

Date: July 1st – 4th, 2025
Location: Graz, University Library Graz, Austria

Main topics of the symposium are:
• Defining pathogens from an ecological perspective
• Anthropocene and biogeochemical cycles
• Soil microbiome and One Health
• The human microbiome in health and disease
• Food-gut microbiome axis
• Microbiome engineering for sustainable agriculture
• Microbial production systems and artificial intelligence Submit your abstract until
The scientific programme will be published on the conference website in spring 2025.

Abstract submission: https://bageco.org/programme-abstracts/abstract-submission
Deadline for early bird registration: March 3st, 2025
Registration: https://bageco.org/registration

Read more: https://bageco.org/

Midterm Meeting of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE)
Date: July 4th – 11st, 2025
Location: Vienna, Vienna City Hall, Austria
The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) is excited to announce that the for the CIE 2025 Midterm Meeting in Vienna, Austria, is now open. Taking place from July 4-11, 2025, this highly anticipated event will feature the CIE Scientific Conference (July 7–9, 2025), with the Welcome Reception hosted by the City of Vienna on the evening of July 6 at the historic Vienna City Hall.
Early Bird rates are available until May 1, 2025. For detailed information on registration fees, please visit the Fees and Payment page.
The Scientific Conference will be followed by the CIE Division and Technical Committee (TC) meetings on July 10-11, 2025. If you would like to listen to some of the topics CIE is currently working on and gain insights into the work of our Technical Committees (TC), you may also choose to stay and attend the Division & TC meetings. Registration for these meetings is integrated into the main conference registration system.
Read more: https://council.science/events/cie-midterm-meeting-2025/

Global Conference on Sandy Soils
Shifting Sands to Sustainable Solutions

Date: July 21st-24th, 2025
Location: Perth, Western Australia

This conference will build and strengthen the international network of researchers with expertise on sandy soils. The conference theme ‘Shifting Sands to Sustainable Solutions’ is focused the challenges of managing and protecting the natural capital of sandy soils in the face of a changing climate.

Main topics of the symposium are:
• Climate change and sandy landscapes
• Sand distribution and formation
• Monitoring, mapping and sensors
• Soil properties-analytical techniques
• Agricultural systems (irrigated and dryland)
• Natural systems
• Engineered systems
• Soil and water conservation
• Soil Fertility
• Overcoming constraints to plant growth

Key dates:
Call for Abstract close: 14 March 2025
Early bird close: 4 June 2025

Read more: www.sandysoils.org

The 10th International Acid Sulfate Soils Conference
Date: Conference – September 15th-17th, 2025
Excursion – September 18th-20th, 2025
Location: Luleå, Sweden

We are delighted to invite you to the 10th edition of the International Acid Sulfate Soils Conference (IASSC), celebrating over three decades of groundbreaking research and collaboration in the field of acid sulfate soils. As the leading interdisciplinary platform for acid sulfate soil research, management, and policy development, the IASSC brings together researchers, industry professionals, environmental managers, and policymakers from around the world to share knowledge and advance the field. Over the course of three days, the conference will feature a rich program of oral and poster presentations, highlighting the latest research and cutting-edge advancements in the field. In addition to the main conference sessions, we are excited to offer pre- and post-conference excursions that will explore the unique landscapes and environmental challenges of northern Sweden and Finland. These excursions will provide valuable insights into the practical applications of acid sulfate soil management in the region, offering a unique opportunity to engage with local experts and experience the environment firsthand.
Deadline for abstract submission: April 15th, 2025

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to our conference team.
Conference-related questions: sarah.conrad@ltu.se
Excursion-related questions: anton.boman@gtk.fi
Read more: https://event.trippus.net/Home/Index/AEAKgINaZaTdCFzBKUcmTlLR9EZJnOe_7IMVKbLfLB10EZD5nrx0n7RnIkUT7ob0MOVWwsr29RiG/AEAKgIPmAO63b8dcXtm99Oas7FVacW0oEMV8IpPQ2FskOAqru2UClkW25UR7fvWVVZjQPoPNU3_j/eng

The 6th WASWAC World Conference. Resilient Landscapes: Innovations and Traditions in Climate-Adaptive Soil and Water Conservation (RISE-SWC)

Date: September 15th-17th, 2025
Location: Rabat, Morocco

World Association for Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), in collaboration with the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), organizes the 6th WASWAC World Conference. The conference will provide an exchange platform for soil and water resources conservation on a global scale, fostering collaboration among scientists, experts, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world. The conference aims to propose actionable solutions that can strengthen global efforts to combat climate change impacts on soil and water systems, support sustainable development, and promote technological and scientific advancements in these critical fields.

Sub-themes:
1. Impact of climate change on soil erosion and coping strategies
2. The role of water resources management in addressing climate change
3. Challenges and opportunities of land use planning and management in the context of climate change
4. Integration of traditional wisdom and modern technology in soil and water management
5. Social and economic considerations in soil and water management
6. Strategic shifts in soil and water conservation practices and technologies to address climate change
7. Monitoring and early warning mechanisms in soil and water management
8. Soil and water conservation in production and construction projects

Deadlines:
Last date of abstract submission: May 30th, 2025
Intimation of acceptance of abstracts: June 30th, 2025

Innovation in climate research for societal transformation- Conference SISC2025
Date: October 22nd -24th, 2025
Location: Salerno, Italy

The Conference aims at connecting leading scientists, researchers, economists, practitioners, business leaders, and policy makers, whose activities are focused on different aspects of climate change, its impacts and related policies.

The call for abstracts and for thematic sessions are now open and topics of interest include:
• At the intersection of Big data, HPC and AI for Climate Science
• Risk management, adaptation and social and economic transformations
• Changes in means and extremes: trends and dynamic at multiple scales
• Climate related impacts on natural and human systems across landscapes
• Mitigation technologies for ambitious climate targets
Important dates:
Deadline for abstract submission: 31 March 2025
Notification: 9 May 2025
Deadline for registration for presenting author to be included in the programme: 6 June 2025
Preliminary programme: 30 July 2025

10th edition FESP (Fire Effects on Soil Properties)

Date: November 25th -28th, 2025
Location: UFRO, Pucón Campus, Chile

Organized by the Universidad de la Frontera and La Universidad de los Lagos.

The conference website will be available very soon with all the information.

Read more: For now more information you can write to: fesp10@ufrontera.cl

Opportunities

Summer School on Agriculture, Forest and Environmental Geodata Statistical Analysis, Modelling and Machine Learning [SAFEST]

Date: 9th – 13th June 2025 (5 days, 30 hours)
Location: Department of Veterinary Sciences, viale delle Piagge, 2 – Pisa, Italy

The aim of the school is stimulating the integration among different data handling strategies and modelling procedures of geodata, with special emphasis to plant biomass and soil traits, and to support the modelling activities in various fields of expertise, including agriculture and forest management, soil management, soil biodiversity, and their potential relationship with economic, environmental indicator or social data.
Topics in the school include:
• use of reference databases on land cover, soil traits, and meteorological and climate data;
• data search, download, visualization, spatial references and projections, proximal and remote sensed data, terrain analysis, graphical interface;
• methods for covariate identification, acquisition, and selection, and inclusion in modelling procedures;
• linear mixed models for statistical analysis of soil and biological data, methods to include spatialization and soil depth as variables, methods to study unbalanced data or including variables with missing data, regression models;
• overview on models and some case studies: decision trees (random forest, boosted regression trees, others), artificial neural networks, process based modles, geomatics, etc..
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Deadline: March 31, 2025

Link for a description and participation: https://www.unipi.it/index.php/agriculture-and-veterinary/item/26793-agriculture-forest-environmental-geodata-statistical-analysis-modelling-machine-learning
Mail for info: sergio.saia@unipi.it

Geochronology Summer School

Date: August 31st – September 6th, 2025
Location: Morteratsch, Pontresina, Engadine, Switzerland

In collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), the Geochronology unit organizes a summer school every year. Interested researchers are invited to attend this inspiring week on dating anthropogenic and natural changes in a fragile Alpine environment.

Soil Biology Lab Skills Course For Assessing Soil Functions
Date: September 1st-5th, 2025
Location: Wageningen University, Netherlands

The Soil Biology Group of Wageningen University is organising a laboratory skills course to define which measurements of soil biology are relevant for which soil functions. This course will provide the participants with an overview of a range of methods related to the five soil functions and will provide detailed practical training in a subset of measures. The training will be a combination of lectures, laboratory and field sessions (interactive lectures and practical sessions each day). Assessing a range of measurement types, from simple visual assessments in the field, to training in microscope identification techniques for nematodes and earthworms, and functional measures in the lab such as MicroResp. All methods described in the course will be made available to participants as well as advice on how to analyse the data.

Other News

Drawdown of soil phosphorus by crop removal: A meta-analysis of 56 fields with interrupted fertilization

By Gatiboni, L., Shober, A. L., Fiorellino, N., Osmond, D., & Mosesso, L. R. (2025), Agricultural & Environmental Letters, 10, e70007.

Cropping without phosphorus (P) fertilization is one of the few options to reduce soil test P (STP). A meta-analysis of the annual P drawdown rate was performed using 56 sites presented in 14 publications. Fields were grouped into four initial STP classes based on Mehlich-3 STP equivalent. The STP was reduced from 4.3% to 8.2% per year in fields with high and low initial STP. The time needed to reduce the STP by half varied from 8.4 to 15.9 years depending on the initial STP.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.70007

New Books

Bauern, Plaggen, Neue Böden
1000 Jahre Plaggenwirtschaft in Nordwestdeutschland

By Klaus Mueller, 2025, Ed. Springer Spektrum Berlin, Heidelberg; 253 p., 276 fig.

Plaggen farming was a form of agriculture practised for over 1000 years, which shaped the entire northwest German region in a unique way. Evidence of this land use, such as fertile soils, esker edges and extensive heathland, can still be found in the landscape today. In addition to agricultural development, land use and typical landscape forms, it also had a significant influence on the way people felt, thought, acted and lived together at that time. This book presents the first generally understandable overview of all aspects of the plaggen economy in northwest Germany. It is aimed not only at farmers, soil scientists, geographers and archaeologists, but above all at readers who are interested in the rural past of the people and its socio-cultural character in Lower Saxony, North Rhine- Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein and parts of Mecklenburg.

ISBN: 978-3-662-68914-1

Report: A Vision for Agriculture and Food
Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations
European Commission document outlining the future of the sector on the continent for the next 15 years. Launched as a priority initiative for the first 100 days of the new Commission, the Vision “aims to ensure the competitiveness and long-term sustainability” of a key sector.
Brussels, 19.2.2025

Download: 33467d24-3123-4118-816e-1782f4872c3d_en

Report: Social sciences, humanities, and the arts in the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”

The aims of this document are to:
• enhance the understanding of the relevance of social sciences, humanities, and the arts (SSHA) in soil research;
• review the integration of SSHA in the work of the Horizon Europe Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ to date;
• provide recommendations on strengthening the integration of social sciences, humanities, and the arts in future research under the Horizon Europe Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’.
12 December 2024

Download: Social sciences, humanities, and the arts in the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”

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