IUSS Alert 238 (August 2025)

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 are published in the monthly current issue. Let’s keep our community posted on the progress of Soil Sciences.

Highlighted IUSS publications

By Division 2

Fungal-mediated soil aggregation as a mechanism for carbon stabilization

By De Goede, S.P.C., Hannula, S.E., Jansen, B., Morriën, E. 2025. ISME Journal 19, wraf074.

The occlusion of soil organic carbon into soil aggregates is a key mechanism to temporarily protect it from decomposition by soil organisms. Filamentous fungi are recognized for their positive role in the formation and stabilization of aggregates. In this review, the authors recollected the current knowledge of the contribution of fungi to soil aggregation and set a new research agenda to quantify fungal-mediated aggregation across different climates and soils. Three main knowledge gaps were highlighted: 1) the lack of quantitative data and mechanistic understanding of aggregate turnover under field conditions; 2) the lack of data on the biochemical and biological mechanisms by which filamentous fungi influence soil aggregation; 3) uncharacterized contribution of soil fungi across environments. Adopting a trait-based approach to increase the level of mechanistic understanding between fungal diversity and soil structure seems promising, but will need additional experiments in which fungal diversity is manipulated by either removal through sieving or dilution, or addition through using synthetic communities of cultured fungi.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wraf074

Case study on agroecosystem management: Seasonal soil microbiome and maize yield response to an innovative NPK mineral fertilizer enriched with beneficial bacterial strains

By Mącik, M., Gryta, A., Panek, J., Sas-Paszt, L., Frąc, M. 2025. Applied Soil Ecology 210, 106084.
The ongoing degradation of arable soils poses a serious challenge to modern agriculture. The authors explored the potential of innovative microbiologically enriched NPK fertilizer (called biofertilizer) to stimulate the activity and diversity of soil microbial communities in two degraded soils, Brunic Arenosol (BA) and Abruptic Luvisol (AL), under maize cultivation. The two year field experiments included the following treatments: 1. standard, optimal dose of mineral fertilizer without microbial enrichment (PC/PK) designed to meet the nutritional requirements of maize and serving as the control treatment; 2. optimal dose amended with beneficial bacterial strains (PA100/PW100); 3. a dose containing 40 % less NPK fertilizer but enriched with microorganisms (PA60/PW60). The application of biofertilizer stimulated the activity of key enzymes involved in C, N and P biotransformations in the soil, modified the metabolic profile of soil microorganisms and changed the genetic diversity of bacteria, archaea and fungi. The obtained results showed that microbiologically enriched NPK fertilizer exhibits multifarious actions and has a potential to improve soil microbiome quality and diversity, as well as influencing yield of maize production.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2025.106084

MEDAL

The Dan Yaalon Young Scientist medal

Submit you nomination for the Dan Yaalon Young Scientist Medal within September 7, 2025.
For more information on the criteria and procedure visit
https://www.iuss.org/awards-medals-and-prizes/the-dan-yaalon-young-scientist-medal/

VLADIMIR FRIDLAND SOIL GEOGRAPHY MEDAL

The Vladimir Markovich Fridland Medal was introduced by IUSS Commission 1.2. – Soil Geography to commemorate Prof. Vladimir M. Fridland for his distinguished contribution to soil geography. This IUSS medal is awarded for outstanding and sustained contribution in the discipline of geography and cartography of soils.
Professor Vladimir M. Fridland is well known among soil scientists and geographers in the world for his contribution to several spheres in soil genesis, geography and soil mapping, part of which is his theory of soil cover pattern.
The awardees must demonstrate an outstanding and sustained performance in the discipline of geography and cartography of soils. All areas of soil geography including research, teaching and its application to environmental, agricultural and technogenic problems are considered relevant. The medal is not invested posthumously.
PERIODICITY OF NOMINATION: the Vladimir M. Fridland Soi Geography Medal is currently awarded every four years and presented at the World Congress of Soil Science of the IUSS.
NOMINATION PROCEDURE: the call for the nominations is publicized during the year before the date of the award, via the Commission Business Meetings and/or IUSS Alerts.

Distinguished Service Medal 2025

The Honourable Robert Black, Senator of the Parliament of Canada, was awarded the 2025 IUSS Distinguished Service Medal, during the 2025 Soils For Our Future Joint Conference, held during July 20th to 25th, in Winnipeg, Canada. Senator Black was nominated by the Canadian Society of Soil Science (csss.ca) in recognition of his efforts to bring public and government attention to the importance of soil health and its study, and of his leadership in the creation and publishing of the Critical Ground report (sencanada.ca/content/sen/committee/441/AGFO/reports/2024-06-06_CriticalGround_e.pdf). Richard J. Heck, Chair of IUSS Division 1 and President of the Canadian Society of Soil Science, presented the award on behalf of IUSS President Victor O. Chude. The award citation reads “for dedication and outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of legislation and public policies for the recognition, protection, conservation and enhancement of soils across Canada”. The ‘2025 Soils For Our Future Joint Conference’ Joint Conference of the IUSS Division 1 Soils in Space & Time, the Global Soil Security community, and the Canadian Society of Soil Science, was hosted by the Manitoba Society of Soil Science and the Soil Conservation Council of Canada.

Guy Smith Medal Award 2026 – Invitation to Propose Nominees by February 28, 2026

Dear Colleagues:
The Guy Smith Medal is awarded for outstanding contributions to the development of soil classification.

The IUSS Guy Smith Medal Award Committee is pleased to invite you to propose nominees for the forthcoming Guy Smith Medal Award:
https://www.iuss.org/awards-medals-and-prizes/guy-smith-medal/
The next award will be handed over during the Nanjing 23rd World Congress of Soil Science (https://www.23wcss.org.cn/), to be organized from June 7 to 12, 2026 by the Soil Science Society of China.

Criteria for selection:
The nominee should have the following qualifications:
1. She/he must have made a significant scientific contribution that has advanced the field of soil classification, and
2. Be a published author in the field of soil classification, and
3. Be an active member, Honorary member, or formerly active member of a national or international soil science professional society, and
4. The medal is not invested posthumously, and
5. Present officers of IUSS Commission Soil Classification cannot be nominated.
The proposal for nomination should comprise a short text, including the main steps of the scientific career of the nominee, her/his most relevant scientific publications and major contributions to the development of soil classification.

We look forward to receiving your proposals by February 28, 2026.
CVs of the nominees and a motivation letter should be sent to:
Peter Schad <peter.schad@tum.de>, with copy to Maria Gerasimova <maria.i.gerasimova@gmail.com> and to Lucia Anjos <lanjos@ufrrj.br>

Yours Sincerely,

Prof. Peter Schad
Chair of Soil Science
Technical University of Munich, Germany

Prof. Maria Gerasimova
Department of Soil Geography and Landscape Geochemistry
Faculty of Geography, Moscow Lomonosov State University
Moscow, Russia

Prof. Lúcia Helena C. Anjos
Soils Department, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)
Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

News from the IUSS

Decade of Soil Sciences for Sustainable Development 2025-2034
The new decade of soil sciences for sustainable development has begun, read the manifesto and download the logo here: https://www.iuss.org/decade-of-soil-sciences-for-sustainable-development/

2025 IUSS World Soil of the Year

The “Gleysol – Hydromorphic soil supporting forest growth in the steppe region from the Carpathian Basin”, has been 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 at the 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 by 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.

For more information on the World Soil of the Year – the Gleysol from the Carpathian Plain: https://www.iuss.org/world-soil-of-the-year/

World Soil of the Year 2026 – Deadline Submission
In recognition of the success of many national programs, the IUSS WSY one has been implemented to enhance soil literacy across different countries and on a global scale. The aim is to draw up a registry of soil heritages, to acknowledge the natural and cultural value of soils, and to open doors for soil science to integrate with environmental protection activities and projects.
The deadline for the nomination of the World Soil of the Year 2026 is November 30, 2025. For more information: https://www.iuss.org/world-soil-of-the-year/

Stimulus Fund

The Stimulus Fund call is out now and will end September 15.
For more information: https://www.iuss.org/stimulus-fund/
Submit your proposal: iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it

Division and Commission Officers Election – 2026 and Chair of the Standing Committees Election 2026

The process for the election, of the new Divisions and Commissions Officers and Chair of the Standing Committees, has officially started, the IUSS Members have been notified by the Secretary and provided with the Guidelines for the procedure, the list of the available positions and the official nomination form. The elections will be completed at the very beginning of the new year, and the names and positions will be published on the IUSS Alert.
The nominations for the Standing Committees members must be forwarded to the Secretary (iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it) within October 31, 2025.
They will be then evaluated by the Executive Committee within November 30, 2025 and then voted by the National Societies.

Election Calendar and Deadlines
Nomination of the candidates by the National Societies: outcomes to be sent to the Divisional Committee within September 30, 2025
Divisional Committees scrutiny of the candidates: October 31, 2025
Standing Committees candidacies: October 31, 2025
Executive Committee evaluation of the candidacies for the Standing Committees: November 30, 2025
Electoral Committee scrutiny of the candidates: November 30, 2025
Opening of the voting system for your society members: December 20, 2025
Closing of the voting system for your society members: March 20, 2026
Notification to the Electoral Committee and Secretariat: within April 30, 2026
Winners’ announcement: within May 31, 2026

Decade of Soil Sciences for Sustainable Development (DSSSD)

The Decade of Soil Sciences for Sustainable Development officially started in January 2025, our efforts are now supported by many important partners, such as the Global Soil Partnership at FAO, the International Science Council, the European Society for Soil Conservation, the 4×100 Initiative, and the Coalition for Soil Health. In this sight, the IUSS is in the process of joining efforts with UNESCO and bring forward its efforts towards soils and sustainable development together and within UNESCO fold.
https://www.un-sciences-decade.org/en

Soil Mission Manifesto

The Mission Soil Manifesto (https://mission-soil-platform.ec.europa.eu/community/mission-soil-manifesto) calls for action to respond to the urgent need to protect and improve soil health in Europe and beyond and bring together regional and local policymakers, stakeholders and citizens into a vibrant community that cares for soil health. It was launched by the EU Mission Soil on April 18, 2023, and it has been signed by the IUSS President, Prof. Victor O. Chude.

International Science Council Members application

The IUSS, a member of the ISC, has endorsed the ISC request for the application of 21 potential new members, and look forward to new collaborations and shared knowledge.

Soil Science Society of China (SSSC) and IUSS

The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science – Soil and the Shared Future for Humanity

Date: 7th -12th June, 2026
Location: Nanjing, China

Nanjing Welcomes Global Soil Scientists for the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science

Soil Science Society of China successfully won the bid to host the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) in Brazil’s 21st WCSS. For the first time, China as a host country invites global soil scientists to explore the centennial journey of soil science.
The 23rd WCSS will be held in the International Expo Center from June 7 to 12, 2026 in Nanjing, the capital city of the most developed Jiangsu province, under the theme of “Soil and the Shared Future for Humanity”. 121 sessions in five categories have been accepted.
Deprived from the Chinese character “土” (Soil), the mascot KuiKui manifests the concept of “One World for One Earth”. The emblem on its belly represents the earth, with the inner circle featuring five typical soil colors in China, while the outer circle featuring the blue ocean.

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 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.

Read more: Join and follow via the official website: https://www.23wcss.org.cn/
Important dates and deadlines:
Abstract submission deadline: November 7, 2025
Abstract results notification: February 7, 2026
Early bird registration deadline: March 7, 2026
Regular registration deadline: May 7, 2026
Cancellation and Refund deadline: May 7, 2026

WCSS2026 Sessions
1. YECS Session: Soils across generations

Bridging young and senior scientists for a shared soil future is the YECS flagship activity at the WCSS2026 and aims to bring generations of soil scientists to collaborate, share, and inspire. We invite you to consider participating in this session and helping us to disseminate it. This session particularly focuses on the collaborative efforts and experiences of young and senior scientists in teaching, disseminating, and conducting research on and around soils.

A survey has been developed to connect early with those interested, and below you will find a poster and flyer.

✍️ Connect early form: https://forms.gle/mGEn8nkZnPwoHmbx8
📅 Congress website: https://www.23wcss.org.cn/
📄 Session description: https://tinyurl.com/2uun4d9b

Deadline for submissions is November 7.

2. Global trends on historic agricultural terraces
Agricultural terraces have shaped diverse ways of life in mountain systems for centuries, molding the landscape and providing services that sustain communities.
At the upcoming WCSS2026 in Nanjing, this session will explore the role of terrace soils as key elements in mountain agriculture. Looking forward to meeting colleagues who study terraces from the perspectives of soils, archaeology, history, geography, cultural heritage, and beyond.

📅 Congress website: https://www.23wcss.org.cn/
📄 Session description: https://tinyurl.com/ds7mmr8w
Deadline for submissions is November 7.

News from national and regional soil science societies 2025

Czech Society of Soil Science (CSSS)
“Pedologické dny 2025” conference (on the topic of Anthropogenically influenced soils)
Date: September 17th -19th, 2025
Location: Most, Czech Republic
Conference of the Czech Society of Soil Science and Societas Pedologica Slovaca organized, with the support of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, and Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation.
The topic of the conference is anthropogenic impacts on the soil environment, which can cause both positive and negative changes in soil properties and can affect soil quality and health or its ability to provide ecosystem services. Due to the location of the conference in an area that has long been significantly impacted by open-pit mining of brown coal and its combustion, the first two thematic areas are more specifically focused on the issues of the impacts of mining on the landscape and soil, as well as on the specifics of newly forming soils in reclaimed landfill areas. However, contributions from any part of the broad spectrum of impacts of human activity on agricultural and forest soils are welcome.
Read more: https://pedologie.czu.cz/akce/dny2025_eng.html

British Society of Soil Science (BSSS)

Resilient Soils for a Sustainable Future – Annual Conference and Early Careers Conference BSSS

Date:
Biennial Early Careers Conference: December 1st –2nd, 2025
Annual Conference: December 3rd -5th, 2025
Location: Manchester, England

Call for Abstracts – British Society of Soil Science Annual Conference
The British Society of Soil Science is currently accepting oral and poster abstracts for both their Annual Conference and Early Careers Conference in December. The abstract review panel is accepting abstracts in one of five topics linked to the conference theme, Resilient Soils for a Sustainable Future:
1. Soils for People [Covering all aspects of Soil Health, Soil Functions, Indicators, Metrics, Ecosystem Service Delivery, Soil Biodiversity, and Sustainable Soils in Different Land Uses].
2. Soils for Climate [Covering aspects such as Net Zero, Carbon Sequestration, Peatlands, Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fluxes].
3. Soils for Water [Covering aspects such as Nutrient and Water management, Soil Erosion, and Nutrient and Water Use Efficiency].
4. Advances for Soils [Covering aspects such as Sensors and Instrumentation, New techniques, AI and data, Modelling, and Decision support tools].
5. Soils for Life [Soil, social sciences and culture, Interdisciplinary work, Stakeholder engagement, Participatory research and citizen science, and Art and culture].

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

e-mail: eurosoil@viajeseci.es

German Soil Science

Rendzina – Soil of the Year 2025 in Germany

For 20 years now, the “Soil of the Year” has been selected by the board “Soil of the Year”, composed of members of the German Soil Science Society (DBG), the Federal Soil Association (BVB), and the Engineering Association for Contaminated Site Management and Land Recycling (ITVA). Each year, the selected soil is officially presented on World Soil Day, December 5, during a ceremony in the capital Berlin. The initiative is also strongly supported by the German Environment Agency (UBA).
The goal of the campaign is to raise public awareness of soils as vital natural resources. Through posters, flyers, brochures, websites, and exhibitions, it aims to engage a broad audience. Over the course of the year, a variety of events—including excursions and exhibitions—are organized by institutions at both regional and local level.
Over the past two decades, the focus of the campaign has shifted from a purely taxonomic presentation of specific soil types to a broader ecological perspective. It now highlights different land use systems and their interactions with soil. In 2023, the focus was on arable soils, emphasizing the importance of healthy food production. In 2024, forest soils were selected as “Soil of the Year”, drawing attention to carbon sequestration and water-related ecosystem services.
The Soil of the Year 2025 is the Rendzina—a shallow, humus-rich soil type that forms on limestone, dolomite, or gypsum bedrock, roughly corresponding to Rendzic Leptosols according to WRB. This year’s patron is Dr. Till Backhaus, Minister for Climate Protection, Agriculture, Rural Areas, and the Environment of the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Accordingly, special attention is being given to Rendzinas formed on Cretaceous limestone in the Baltic Sea region.
At the official presentation in Berlin, Dr. Backhaus highlighted that Rendzinas are more than just productive land for agriculture or forestry. They also serve as “habitats, geology you can touch, and a valuable part of our natural and cultural heritage.”
To explore these aspects further, a multi-day expert excursion will take place at the end of May, including a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jasmund beech forest with its iconic chalk cliffs on the island of Rügen. The tour is being organized by the State Office for Environment, Nature Conservation and Geology of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania together with the German and Danish Soil Science Societies. On the Danish island of Møn, the participants will also have the opportunity of cross-border comparisons of Rendzina sites.

Read more: https://www.dbges.de/en/soil-of-the-year and visit the Soil of the Year page and the UBA Soil of the Year page

German Soil Science
Prof. Dr. Wulf Amelung receives Philippe Duchaufour Medal 2025
At this year’s General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), Prof. Dr. Wulf Amelung, a long-standing member of the German Soil Science Society (DBG) and former DBG Vice President, has been awarded the prestigious Philippe Duchaufour Medal, the highest award of EGU in Soil System Science, in recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions to the field.
Wulf Amelung is head of the group General Soil Science and Soil Ecology at the University of Bonn and of the unit Agrosphere of the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences at the Forschungszentrum Jülich. His research focuses on nutrient cycles, soil functions, and innovative analytical approaches in soil ecology.

German Soil Science

DBG 2025 – Annual Meeting of the German Association of Soil Science in Tubingen

Date: September 13th – 18th, 2025
Location: University of Tübingen, Germany

Under the central theme #HealthySoilsClimateProtection, the event offers a platform for interdisciplinary exchange on current topics in soil science. Held every two years, this conference is one of the most important soil science events in the German-speaking world, regularly attracting 600-800 participants. It includes keynote lectures, thematic sessions, commission meetings, and one- to two-day field excursions, providing space for discussion of new findings, methods, and challenges.
The conference program covers the full spectrum of soil science – including soil physics and hydrology, soil chemistry, biology and ecology, soil fertility and plant nutrition, soil genesis, taxonomy and information, soil protection and technology, soil mineralogy and soils in education and society. In more than 50 sessions, the DBG commissions and working groups will address urgent questions such as “How is climate change affecting our soils?”, “What role does soil biodiversity play in ecosystem services?” and “What innovative methods are available for recording, modeling, and assessing soil processes?”
The program will be complemented by a wide range of field excursions across the South-German Cuesta Landscape, from the Black Forest to the Swabian Alb and beyond. In addition, laboratory work and field measurement techniques will be demonstrated.
The DBG Conference is a well-established platform for exchange among researchers, practitioners, and early-career scientists. With its long research tradition and diverse academic environment, the University of Tübingen offers the perfect setting for the 2025 conference. Everyone interested is warmly invited to attend.

Soil Science Australia
Symposium for the Use of Organic Soil Amendments (SUOSA)
Date: September 16th – 18th, 2025
Location: Coolangatta QLD

Call for abstracts open now Photo M. Hampton The Symposium for the Use of Organic Soil Amendments (SUOSA) will take place on the Southern Gold Coast from 16 to 18 September 2025, bringing together experts from agriculture, environmental sciences, economics, and policy to discuss the benefits, challenges, and future directions for the use of organic soil amendments in agricultural and horticultural production systems. This multi-disciplinary event will explore the agronomic, environmental, societal, regulatory and policy dimensions of using both solid and liquid organic amendments, which include raw or processed animal manures, agricultural residues, food and fibre processing residues, and urban organic residues, and where processing can include composting, pyrolysing, drying, digesting, insect farming, pelletising, granulating, value adding, etc. Discussions will address nutrient management, soil health, carbon sequestration, circular economy, regulatory frameworks, and farmer benefits and adoption. With contributions from leading researchers, government policymakers, industry experts, and producers, SUOSA 2025 aims to foster collaboration and inform real-world strategies for sustainable soil management and farming systems.
Read more: https://www.crown-compost.com.au/

Serbian Society of Soil Science

The Soil Re-Union: Science for Healthy Soils
4th International and 16th National Congress of the Serbian Society of Soil Science

Date: October 20th – 23rd, 2025
Location: Vrdnik, Fruške Terme, Serbia

The Congress will bring together scientists, institutions, and stakeholders from the Western Balkans, Europe, Eurasia, and beyond, uniting disciplines, geographical regions, and generations around the mission of soil regeneration and sustainable land management. The Congress will provide a great opportunity for discussions and presentations on the latest advancements in soil science.
The Congress will feature:
– Inspiring keynotes, panel discussions, and project-to-project networking,
– A special platform for showcasing ongoing projects,
– A vibrant EXPO area for institutions and initiatives aligned with soil science,
And a rich cultural and social program reflecting the spirit of Fruška Gora.

Call for Abstracts
The Book of Abstracts of peer-reviewed contributions will be published, assigned a library number, and indexed.
Participants who are interested in publishing a full paper will have the opportunity to submit their manuscripts for publication in the peer-reviewed journal Soil and Plant of the Serbian Soil Science Society after the Congress.
Additionally, an e-edition of the Compendium of presentations and e-posters from the Congress will be available for participants who wish to include their work in PDF format.
The Journal “Zemljište i Biljka – Soil and Plant – Почва и Растение” is the official three lingual (Serbian-English-Russian) journal of the Soil Science Society of Serbia (SDPZ) published since 1952. Since 2014, both printed and electronic versions of the journal have been published twice a year. ISSN 0514-6658; eISSN 2560-4279

Important dates: Notification of abstract acceptance: within one month after submission.
The mid registration payment deadline: by August 15th, 2025
Abstract submission deadline: September 1st, 2025
Final Congress program: by mid-September 2025
Read more: https://sdpz.rs/congress/
Venue: www.frusketerme.com

Austrian Soil Science Society

International Symposium 2025
Molecular modelling 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.

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.

British Society of Soil Science
Early Careers’ Conference 2025
Date: 1–2 December, 2025
Location: King’s House Conference Centre, Manchester
Theme: Resilient Soils for a Sustainable Future
This dedicated event is free to attend for BSSS Early Career members and brings together emerging voices from academia, industry, and policy in a dynamic and inclusive space. Over the course of two packed days, delegates will explore the theme “Resilient Soils for a Sustainable Future” through a rich programme of oral and poster presentations, interactive workshops, and networking activities, all designed to highlight the latest research, innovations, and career development pathways in soil science.
Oral abstract deadline: Sunday 31 August 2025
Poster abstract deadline: Friday 24 October 2025
Full details on abstract themes and submission guidelines can be found on the BSSS website.
Read more: https://members.soils.org.uk/widget/event-6210932?sk=cnxQtp/MQEse2UJPdSbMw2I/eJrP3lfywhtQ/+H5e4iKdfGDFGZCsHorG1ytHtqF

Annual Conference “Resilient Soils for a Sustainable Future”
Date: 3–5 December, 2025
Location: King’s House Conference Centre, Manchester
Dynamic, multi-disciplinary events will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers across the built environment, agriculture, and natural sciences to explore the vital role of soils in supporting a sustainable future.
The overarching theme, Resilient Soils for a Sustainable Future, will guide three days of presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities. With global challenges such as climate change, food security, and biodiversity loss becoming increasingly urgent, the conference offers a timely platform to showcase cutting-edge research and debate key strategies for strengthening soil resilience.
Researchers are encouraged to submit oral abstracts by Sunday 31 August, while poster submissions will remain open until Friday 24 October. Full details on submission guidelines and thematic focus are available on the BSSS website.
Read more: https://members.soils.org.uk/event-6210965

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 objective of the workshop 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.

Conference Organizers:
– International Union of Soil Science, Division 1. Soil in Space and Time, Commission 1.6 – Paleopedology.
– International Union for Quaternary Research, INQUA Paleopedology Working Group.
– Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
– Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL).

Contributors are invited to submit their papers electronically, to solleiro@geologia.unam.mx. The abstracts must be received by September 15, 2025, at the latest.
The workshop is limited to 30 participants. If you are willing to participate, we ask that you register in advance.
The cost of the workshop is 1200 USD. This price includes:
Conference and field excursions. Double room accommodation at the hotels in the different places of the excursion. Refreshments during the conference. All breakfasts and lunches during the field excursion. Transportation to the sites. In Budsilhá, dinners are also included (February 22-23). In other places, dinner is not included in the price.

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops
2025

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.

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.

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

Biosystems Engineering for the Green Transition

AIIA (Italian Association of Agricultural Engineering) 2025 International Conference

Date: September 21st-24th, 2025
Location: University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy

The Conference will bring together experts and researchers to discuss the crucial role of biosystems engineering in promoting a sustainable ecological transition. The conference will address a wide range of key topics, including agricultural hydraulics and watershed protection, cutting-edge agricultural and forestry machinery and mechanization, agricultural and forestry land-use planning, and rural buildings. Innovative topics such as advanced monitoring systems, precision agriculture, agricultural waste valorization, and the application of big data and machine learning will be explored.
Key dates
– Publication of Book of Abstract: 30 June 2025
– Preliminary program: 15 July 2025
– Full paper submission: 15 September 2025

World Food Forum (WFF)

Date: October 10th –17th 2025
Location: FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy, and online

The World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event is a global platform that drives action to transform agrifood systems through the power of youth, science and innovation, and investment. Bringing together all stakeholders, it serves as a dynamic space for turning ideas into actions, scaling solutions and forging synergistic partnerships. By uniting diverse voices and fostering cross-sectoral and intergenerational collaboration, it accelerates progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, driving action at global, regional and local levels.
This year’s event marks a milestone: FAO’s 80th anniversary, commemorated through a week of global dialogue, knowledge exchange and solution-driven collaboration, all guided by the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” and FAO’s four betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.
Organized around three pillars, Global Youth Action, Science and Innovation Forum, and the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum, the 2025 WFF flagship event serves as a vibrant platform for bold ideas and inclusive partnerships. The programme spans high-level dialogues, consultations, innovation labs, interactive pitching events, hackathons, matchmaking meetings, exhibitions and cultural showcases that spotlight the many ways people everywhere are shaping a better food future.
The week will also feature additional high-profile events, including the annual World Food Day and the official inauguration of the Food and Agriculture Museum and Network (MuNe), a vibrant, interactive space designed to bridge global food technologies and cultures by showcasing the traditions and innovations that shape agrifood systems. This will be complemented by the FAO Global Exhibition: From Seeds to Foods, as well as special sessions as part of the annual edition of the Rome Water Dialogue, a nomadic Indigenous Peoples’ territory at FAO’s 80th anniversary, and the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Ministerial Dialogue. Whether you are looking to learn about this year’s theme, share your knowledge and ideas with others, celebrate innovation or build meaningful connections this global forum is your platform to engage, collaborate and take meaningful action.
Read more: https://www.world-food-forum.org/

Second International Forum on Agroecosystem Living Labs
Date: October 15th – 17th, 2025
Location: Bordeaux, France

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the Second International Forum on Agroecosystem Living Labs, building on the success of the first Forum held in Montreal in 2023. That event brought together the international community of agroecosystem living labs to reflect on research, implementation, and practical lessons learned from applying this approach around the world.
The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) are once again collaborating to organize this event, which will take place in Bordeaux, France, from October 15 to 17, 2025.
The Forum will feature panel discussions and parallel scientific sessions aimed at establishing leading practices, sharing case study insights, and addressing the challenges faced by the international agroecosystem living lab community. It will also include networking events and field visits, designed to foster dialogue and provide an inspiring space for collaboration and action.
Read more: https://www.inrae.fr/en/events/2025-international-forum-agroecosystem-living-labs

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

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops
2026

The 4th Global Soil Biodiversity Conference (GSB 2026)

Date: April 12th -15th, 2026
Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

The Global Soil Biodiversity Conferences organized under the auspices of the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative (GSBI) are now considered to be the premier global conferences dealing with soil biodiversity. The 4th edition of the GSB 2026 will bring together researchers, policy analysts, students, and practicing farmers to discuss soil biodiversity with the goals of informing the public, promoting this information into environmental policy, and overall creating a platform for the current and future sustainability of soils.

IFSA2026: Farming and Agri-Food Systems dynamics: facing crises and trade-offs in transition pathways

Date: June 29th – July 03rd, 2026
Location: Montpellier, France

As pressures from climate change, biodiversity loss, market uncertainty, and rising global food demand escalate, there is a growing need to consider how agricultural systems can be enhanced and reconfigured to withstand external shocks while advancing ecological, social, and economic sustainability. Responding to current crises calls for structured approaches that guide farmers, stakeholders, advisors, researchers, consumers and policymakers toward systemic solutions that address these overlapping challenges.
Various initiatives incite stakeholders and policy makers to innovate and develop multi-scale and multi-domain adaptation strategies for the agri-food systems. This implies to improve farmland environmental performance using sustainable practices, to reduce their CO2 emissions, and to protect the means of subsistence of farm households as well as natural resources, in particular water and soil, from the effects of climate change.
This symposium aims to revisit progress and debates in co-designing and promoting sustainable Agri-Food systems to face crises and support multiscale decisions. There are many trade-offs to document but also many synergies to analyse when looking at transition pathways and impacts.
Key dates
30/09/2025 Deadline for short paper (approx. 6 pages) & special sessions submission
30/11/2025 Authors receive feedback for short paper revision or rejection
31/12/2025 Authors will have to re-submit the short paper revised version
15/02/2026 Authors are informed on short paper acceptance
15/03/2026 Early bird registration deadline
30/04/2026 Registration deadline (also for field visits registration)
Read More: https://ifsa2026.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/3

12th SCAR Open Science Conference & Meetings

The 12th SCAR Open Science Conference will be held in Oslo, Norway, from 10-14 August 2026, hosted by the Norwegian Polar Institute. The conference will feature an interdisciplinary programme that includes plenary lectures, parallel sessions, mini-symposia, workshops, panel discussions, posters, and social activities.

Date: August 10th –14th , 2026
Location: Oslo, Norway
Deadline for submitting: 31st August 2025
e-mail: osc@scar.org
Read more: OSC 2026 – Expression of interest

International Symposium on Earthworm Ecology (ISEE13) 13th edition in Wageningen, the Netherlands

Date: August 23rd-28th, 2026
Location: Wageningen, the Netherlands

This year’s theme, “From the lab to the field, from the field to the lab,” reflects the commitment to bridging the gap between experimental and real-world studies, both of which are essential to the advancement of earthworm research. ISEE13 will offer a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, with a strong focus on early-career researchers who are at the forefront of addressing global challenges impacting or affected by earthworms.

Important deadline:
Opening abstract submission: September 15, 2025
Opening registration: December 1, 2025
Deadline abstract submission: January 4, 2026
Decision on abstract acceptance: March 4, 2026
Deadline for early bird registration: April 15, 2026
Deadline for registration: June 17, 2026

Opportunities

Grounding Carbon Farming course

Date: 13th – 19th September 2025
Location : Dampierre-en-Bray, Normandy, France

Organised by: WIMEK graduate school in collaboration with Soil biology and Environmental policy groups (Wageningen University).

Duration: 5 full days during a week on site on a farm in Normandy, France. Arrival night of the 13th, departure in the morning on the 19th.
As the climate changes, the environment degrades, biodiversity declines and the world population increases, agricultural ecosystems are increasingly looked at, both as culprit and saviours. Agroecosystems and their soils are indeed key to support a multitude of ecosystem services, but their degradation worldwide jeopardises this ability.
Carbon farming is proposed as a solution. One approach – soil carbon sequestration – to solve the climate crisis and revert environmental degradation caused by agriculture while feeding a growing world population.

Soil Training
The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS), recognising the importance of quality and availability of education and training for soil science as a profession, organises the following training courses:
– Introduction to Soil Classification – 16-17 September
– Soils and Catchment Management (Lancaster) – 13-14 October
– Practical Introduction to Soils in Great Britain (Bedfordshire) – 29-30 October
– Introduction to Agricultural Land Classification (TBC) – 12-13 November

New Books

European Agricultural Policy – History and Analysis

Franco Sotte, Gianluca Brunori Editors, Springer 2025
This book presents the European Common Agricultural Policy by tracing its crucial stages from its conception to the present days. It reconstructs the negotiating processes that have taken place at the political and institutional level over the years. At the same time, the book brings together the results of analyses made by agricultural policy scholars to propose solutions, and to evaluate the policies adopted and the results they produced. The book takes on a twofold objective: to understand how many of today’s problems have roots whose branches extend back in time, and to draw, from the lessons of history, useful insights for endowing the European Union with an ambitious agricultural and rural development policy, suited to the challenges ahead.
ISBN 978-3-031-83312-0
ISBN 978-3-031-83313-7 (eBook)
Read more: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-83313-7

The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

FAO, 2025, pages 374, Rome

Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) are the essence of sustainable agrifood systems. They encompass the genetic diversity in both improved and farmers’ varieties, as well as in crop wild relatives, wild food plants and breeding materials. The third report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture presents a comprehensive assessment of the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, as well as the human and institutional capacities to support these efforts. Based on information from 128 countries and four regional and 13 international research centres and the contribution from over 1 600 experts, it presents an overview of progress since 2012, as well as current needs and challenges in the future management of PGRFA. The report provides a sound basis for recalibrating relevant polices and strategies, including the rolling Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

ISBN: 978-92-5-139675-9

Communications

To IUSS Commission and Working Group Chairs: you are kindly requested to inform the Secretariat whenever there is a change within your Commission and/or Working Group officers. In this way, it will be possible to keep the IUSS Officers Mailing List regularly updated.

To IUSS Full Members: please do not forget to let the Secretariat know about your new President, Secretary, Contact Person. This will be vital in keeping the mailing list updated, so you will not miss out any communication.

Please provide the new name, surname, position and e-mail address to: iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it

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