IUSS Alert 244 (february 2026)

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 4

Soil and a Shared Future for Humanity, in Celebration of the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science
The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science (23rd WCSS), to be held on June 7–12, 2026 in Nanjing, China, marks a historic coming of this century-old scientific gathering to one of the world’s ancient agricultural civilizations. Since its inception in 1927, this will be the first time the Congress is hosted in China, a land whose agricultural resilience has been nurtured by millennia of soil stewardship. Altogether, the sessions of the 23rd WCSS portray soil science as an integrative, solution-oriented discipline, one that connects the past with the future and scientific discovery with societal transformation.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2026.01.018

The ultimate fraction – Chemical characterization of humins from forest vs grassland soils
Humin, defined as the residual fraction of soil organic matter remaining after alkaline extraction, has been recognized as the predominant and most stable form of organic matter in mineral soils for centuries. Contrary to views that propose a humin composition predominantly aromatic, alkyl or poly-alkyl in nature, this study showed that humins are highly chemodiverse, containing a wide range of organic compounds, none of them being predominant. Their degree of microbial reworking varied with vegetation type and, thus, with corresponding plant inputs.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2026.110118

Application of calibration transfer techniques between different mid-infrared spectrometers/modules to improve accuracy in estimating soil properties
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy offers a rapid and cost-effective alternative to traditional soil property measurement. Advances in spectrometer technologies have enhanced portability and affordability, expanding their use for soil property estimation. However, developing training datasets for new spectrometers is expensive and time-consuming. Leveraging existing spectral datasets is crucial, yet variations between different spectrometers reduce prediction accuracy. This study demonstrated that existing spectral datasets can be effectively used for new spectrometers with calibration transfer, allowing real-time and field-scale soil property measurement.
https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70147

News from the IUSS

ISC Distinguished Lecture Series on Science for Sustainable Development (ISC-DLS-S4SD)

As announced during the 7th Roundtable of ISC Unions and Associations, the GeoUnions call on all Members of the International Science Council, particularly its Category 1 Members, to contribute to and support the ongoing successful ISC Distinguished Lecture Series on Science for Sustainable Development (ISC-DLS-S4SD), with the aim of making it more inclusive (Attached ISC distinguished lecture series on sciences for sustainable development).
The IUSS has already participated in such initiative (to learn more click here) which is also in line with the goals of our Decade of Soil Sciences for Sustainable Development (DSSSD) endorsed, among others, by the ISC and UNESCO; ISC Members, therefore, are invited to nominate:
• lecturers for the ISC-DLS-S4SD (see nomination form 1 below);
• one representative per an ISC Member organization to serve on the ISC-DLS-S4SD.
(Attached Nominations of lecturers and selection committee members)

Deadline: March 31st, 2026,

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

Decade of Soil Sciences for Sustainable Development 2025-2034 – Healthy Soils for Humanity
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/
The Decade aims to prioritize production, dissemination, and use of actionable scientific knowledge across all areas of soil sciences to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Divisions, Commissions, and Working Groups are encouraged to coordinate with the IUSS Research Forum in planning activities aligned with the themes of the Decade. These may include special issues, books, position papers, policy briefs, webinars, conferences, workshops, sessions at the World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS), and other relevant initiatives.

Division and Commission Officers Election – 2026 and members 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.

Election Calendar and Deadlines
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

Download the Division and Commission Chair Nomination Form
Download the Standing Committee Member Nomination Form
Download the IUSS 2026 Election Guidelines

Candidates for the position of President-elect of the IUSS
The call for the candidacy to the position of IUSS President Elect is still open, for full info and procedure click here (attached).
For any queries, please contact IUSS Secretary, Dr. Irene Fabbri, iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it or the Chair of Presidential Election, Prof. Rainer Horn rhorn@soils.uni-kiel.de

IUSS International Soil Judging Contest
Soil judging is an educational activity that develops field skills of describing and classifying soils and understanding of soil genesis. The experiential learning and skills gained are beneficial in promotion of soil science, pursuit of jobs, and in preparation for advanced studies. Soil judging originated in the United States in the late 1950’s and IUSS contests began in Korea in 2014 in association with the World Congress. There have been numerous journal articles detailing the importance of soils contests as an educational tool. The International Soil Judging Contest Working Group of IUSS was formed in 2022 to promote soil judging across the world, to develop standards used for soil judging contests, to host International Soil Judging web page, and to assist in the planning and organization of international soil judging contests. The chair is Brian Needelman of the United States and vice-chairs are John Galbraith of the Unites States and Minerva García Carmona of Spain. A main focus of the group is to assist with the IUSS contests associated with the World Congress in Nanjing, China in 2026 and in Toronto, Canada in 2030. Registration of teams is still available until January 15, 2026, through the contest web site. There are about 36 members, and most are active on one of the subcommittees developing standards based on FAO, USDA, and WRB publications. Our working group encourages countries to develop their own or multinational contests. Participation in the Working Group is encouraged by sending an email to Dr. Brian Needelman bneed@umd.edu and Dr. John Gallbraith at ttcf@vt.edu or Minerva García Carmona minerva.garciac@umh.es. An example of a recent soils contest is available at Home – European Soil Judging Contest. The Working Group encourages development of soil judging and participation in the upcoming contest in Nanjing. Please feel free to reach out to one of the officers with any questions.

IUSS Joint Commission 1.7/3.8 “Permafrost-Affected Soils

Call for papers, Submission Deadline: Tuesday, September 1st, 2026

We would like to draw your attention to a Special Issue, “Applied Pedology: Practical Solutions Across a Variety of Disciplines and Issues” in Soil Use and Management. The special Issue is framed within the IUSS initiatives of the Research Forum for the 2025-2034 Decade of Soil Sciences for Sustainable Development (DSSSD) (www.iuss.org/decade-of-soil-sciences-for-sustainable-development/). We’d like to extend an invitation for contributions to the special issue before the 1 September 2026 deadline.
For more information on the scope of the special issue, please refer to the Call for Papers (contributions accepted include, original research papers, reviews, reports of case studies and practical experience, opinions, and perspectives).
Manuscript can be submitted the SUM submission system. Please follow the Author Guidelines and select the special issue title when asked: “Is this submission for a special issue?”.
We would be enormously grateful if you could let us know your decision via this form.

For more information: Prof. Adrian Unc, aunc@mun.ca Vice-Chair
Alan Wild Reviews, Perspectives and Topical Collections Editor, Soil Use and Management (British Soil Science Society)

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.

Soil Science Society of China (SSSC) and IUSS

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

Date: June 7th -12th, 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:
Early bird registration deadline: March 7, 2026
Regular registration deadline: May 7, 2026
Cancellation and Refund deadline: May 7, 2026

Post-Congress Tours
Invitation to participate in the exclusive Post-Congress Scientific Tours across China — where soil science meets stunning landscapes and cultural heritage. They are arranged six unique expedition routes covering key soils and regions, from the black soils of Northeast China to the tea gardens of Jiangnan, from the capital’s green city projects to the magnificent Danxia and Karst landforms. Each tour blends field observation, soil profiling, and local culture — guided by experts and designed for deep learning beyond the congress.
Choose your scientific journey:
Tour 1: Scientific Expedition on Red Soil in South China
Tour 2: Jiangnan Tea & Rice Soil Scientific Expedition
Tour 3: Survey on Soil Environment and Green City Construction in the Capital
Tour 4: Soil and Geoscience Expedition in the Loess Plateau & Historical-Cultural Tour
Tour 5: Northeast Thick Black Soil Region Scientific Expedition
Tour 6: Northeast Thin Black Soil Region Scientific Expedition

Explore routes, costs, and details here: https://www.23wcss.org.cn/Post-Congress%20Tours/index.html

IUSS and Soil Science Society of China (SSSC)

Travel Awards for Attending World Congress of Soil Science 2026

The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and Soil Science Society of China (SSSC) are pleased to offer travel awards to support early-career scientists who wish to participate in the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS2026) from 7-12 June 2026, in Nanjing China. This initiative aims to encourage the participation of promising graduate students and early-career researchers by providing financial assistance to help cover travel and registration expenses.
A total of 40,000 USD in funding is available, aiming for gender and geographic equity. Each selected applicant will be eligible to receive up to a maximum of 1,000 USD. The award will be disbursed as a reimbursement for actual travel costs and/or WCSS2026 registration fees incurred.
Support is only for early-career scientists who are high-quality Master or PhD students or who completed a Master or PhD degree less than 5 years ago.
Applicants must be the presenting author of a submitted oral or poster presentation abstract for WCSS2026 and must be a member of a council society (national soil science society) that is a full member of IUSS.
Applicants need to send their applications to: wcss2026@issas.ac.cn

Contact: wcss2026@issas.ac.cn

Attendance Grant for Council Member Representatives from Low- and Middle-Income Countries of World Congress of Soil Science 2026

The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and the Soil Science Society of China (SSSC) are pleased to announce the Attendance Grant for the World Congress of Soil Science 2026 (WCSS2026). This initiative is designed to support the representatives of IUSS Council members from low- and middle (lower-middle and upper-middle) income countries ( as classified by the World Development Indicators), enabling their participation in the Congress, which will take place from 7–12 June 2026 in Nanjing, China.
This funding aims to encourage and assist representatives of IUSS Full Member from less developed countries who are constrained by limited budgets to attend the Congress. A limited number of funding (approximately 20) will be granted. Each selected applicant will receive up to USD $3,000 to cover eligible expenses such as registration fees, flight tickets, and accommodation.
Successful applicants will be notified via email by 28 February 2026 (UTC+8). The results will also be published on the official WCSS2026 website (https://www.23wcss.org.cn/) and the IUSS website (https://www.iuss.org).
The decision of the Selection Committee is final and not subject to appeal.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be nominated by an IUSS Full Member (a National Soil Science Society or a National Academy). Each society can nominate only one candidate.

Submission and Deadlines: Applications must be submitted in English to wcss2026@issas.ac.cn 24:00 (UTC+8) on 7 February 2026.

For any inquiries, please contact wcss2026@issas.ac.cn or call +86-025-86881992.

The Digital Age in the Study, Evaluation, and Teaching of Soil Science

Special session number 503003 IUSS 23rd World Congress on Soil Science

In the digital transformation era, we invite researchers and professionals to participate with us in this innovative session exploring the convergence between cutting-edge technologies and soil sciences. This pioneering session will address how digital tools revolutionize our understanding, management, and teaching of soil sciences. Participants will be able to observe the largest augmented and mixed reality applications that allow soil profiles to be visualized in real-time, facilitating on-site analysis and improving educational experience in the field. We will explore the development of mobile applications focused on soil resources, as well as the potential presents by the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced image analysis systems focused on soil sciences. This session represents a unique opportunity to establish international collaborations between soil scientists, software developers, and technology experts. Attendees will be able to share experiences on the implementation of innovative technological solutions in soil research and discuss the potential of these tools to address global challenges in soil conservation and sustainable management. In this sense, we are seeking contributions that highlight recent technological developments, successful case studies, and innovative proposals that combine soil sciences with these emerging technologies. This session will undoubtedly be a catalyst to inspire the next generations and foster the development of collaborative projects that harness the power of technology to advance our understanding of soils systems. Join this space where scientific tradition converges with digital innovation, creating new possibilities for research, education and soil management.

Contact: fernando.ayala@comunidad.unam.mx; leptosol@ciga.unam.mx

Mitigating the impact of land use and its change through conservation management
Call for Papers
Submission deadline: August 1st, 2026
Special issue as IUSS (International Union of Soil Sciences) Commission 4.3 – Soils and Land Use Change with Dr. Gary Feng.
We welcome original papers and reviews that might be presented at the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science held in Nanjing, China, on June 7-12, 2026.
Soils are vital for supporting agriculture, mitigating environmental quality, and provision of ecosystem services. Healthy, functioning soils are the keystone to global sustainability of ecosystems and land-based human activities, and for providing healthy environments for humankind.
The selected papers will mainly report the latest achievements in research focused on conservation, restoration and improvement of land use and its change through conservation managements, focused on promoting the sustainability of managed and natural ecosystems.
Keywords: soil health, land use change, soil amendment, cover crops, conservation management, soil functions, soil properties, carbon dynamics
Guest Editors:
Prof. Gary Feng
USDA-ARS
United States
Prof. Felipe A. Zúñiga Ugalde
Universidad Austral de Chile; Instituto de Bosques y Sociedad
Chile
Prof. Ying Ouyang
USDA Forest Service; Southern Research Station
United States
Prof. José Dörner
Universidad Austral de Chile; Instituto de Ingeniería Agraria y Suelos
Chile
Dr. Tingting Chang
Hohai University
China
Prof. Rainer Horn
Institut für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde; Christian-Albrecht-Universität zu Kiel
Germany
Dr. Ingrid Martínez
Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA-Chile)
Chile
Read more: https://bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/14752743/call-for-papers/si-2025-001332

News from national and regional soil science societies 2026

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 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

Hungarian Soil Science Society
Polish Society of Soil Science

7th International Symposium of Soil Physics

Date: March 17th, 2026
Location: Budapest, Hungary

Organized by: HUN-REN Centre for Agricultural Research, Institute for Soil Sciences (Talajtani Intézet – TAKI, Budapest); Commission of Soil Physics, Polish Society of Soil Science; Lublin Branch of the Polish Soil Science Society; Hungarian Soil Science Society – Branch of Soil Physics and Soil Mineralogy; Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Division of Agricultural Sciences

Read more and the registration link: https://atk.hun-ren.hu/en/7th-international-symposium-of-soil-physics-2/

Argentine Soil Science Association

The 30th Argentine Congress of Soil Science (CACS2026)- Challenges from South to North: Commitment between Conservation and Production

Date: April 14th –17th, 2026
Location: San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro – Patagonia – Argentina.
The Argentine Soil Science Association, together with academic and scientific institutions from the Patagonian region, is organizing the 30th Argentine Congress of Soil Science, under the theme “Challenges from South to North: Commitment between Conservation and Production,” participants are invited to reflect on Argentina’s territorial diversity and the challenges of balancing conservation with the sustainable use of natural resources, with a focus on soil.

Soil Science Society of Pakistan (SSSP)

The 21st International Congress of Soil Science (ICSS-2026) – Soil Resilience for Sustainable Development

Date: May 5th – 7th, 2026
Location: University of Poonch Rawalakot (UPR) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan

The theme of Congress is: “Soil Resilience for Sustainable Development”

Canadian Society of Soil Science and Canadian Society of Agronomy

2026 Joint Annual Meeting – Soils & Crops in Focus – Critical Resources from Coast to Coast to Coast

Date: June 20th – 25th, 2026
Location: University of Guelph, Canada

Joint meeting of the Canadian Society of Soil Science and the Canadian Society of Agronomy. This conference, with its theme of “Soils & Crops in Focus – Critical Resources from Coast to Coast to Coast” will address the importance of resilient and healthy food production throughout Canada.

Soil Science Australia

2026 Soil Science Australia National Conference

Date: November 1st – 5th, 2026
Location: Boorloo, Perth, Australia

The conference will serve as a platform for a diversity of voices across science, policy, industry and community to explore our understanding of soils as the foundation of productivity, security, community and resilience.

Deadlines: Call for abstracts close April 24th, 2026

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops 2026

International Scientific Conference XXIX Dokuchaev Conference for Young Scientists “Soils and humanity health”

Date: March 2nd – 4th, 2026
Location: St. Petersburg, Russia

The conference is dedicated to the celebration of the 180th anniversary of the birth of V.V. Dokuchaev.

Conference format: plenary and poster sessions, and topical sections
Forms of participation: offline, online (for schoolchildren only off-line).
Forms of presentation: poster*, oral (*only for off-line participants).
Languages of conference: English, Russian.

Read more:
E-mail: dkonf2026@gmail.com
Website: http://www.dokuchaevskie.ru
The registration link can be found on the conference website in the section “Participate” http://www.dokuchaevskie.ru/participate?lang=en.

Conference on Variable Charge Soils
Date: March 4th – 6th, 2026
Location: Newcastle, Australia

This specialized conference will focus on the unique properties of variable charge soils, which play a critical role in nutrient dynamics, contaminant interactions, and sustainable agriculture, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The event will highlight new advances in soil chemistry, management strategies, and their implications for food security and environmental protection.

The 4th Global Soil Biodiversity Conference (GSB 2026)

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

The 4th edition of the Global Soil Biodiversity Conference (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.
Read more: https://globalsoilbiodiversity2026.org/

International Conference on Alternatives to Reduce Soil Degradation

Date: May 19th, 2026
Location: Hybrid event, Online & In-Person. Kossuth Klub, Budapest, Hungary

This conference seeks to promote interdisciplinary partnerships and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, with the goal of better understanding the intricate complexities of soil and assessing the potential for sustainable development.
Special conference theme: The main focus of the conference will be on conservation agriculture, soil biological processes, and how to improve soil quality in practice.
Deadlines:
Oral: April 23rd, 2026; Poster: April 30th, 2026
Registration: On site: May 5th, 2026; Online: May 18th, 2026

Read more: www.arsd-conference.com

10th International Symposium on Soil Organic Matter (SOM2026)

Date: May 25th – 29th, 2026
Location: University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil.

The X International Symposium on Soil Organic Matter (SOM2026) represents a unique opportunity to bring together the world’s leading scientific authorities in the areas of soil organic matter, carbon, regenerative agriculture, sustainable livestock, forestry and ecosystem restoration.

Read more: Official website = https://eventosccarbon.com.br

100th anniversary of agricultural experimentation at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW

Date: June 12th –13th, 2026
Location: Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Poland

The conference will provide a platform for discussion and presentation of results in various fields, including agricultural sciences, agricultural chemistry, soil science, environmental sciences, and biological sciences, among others.

Important dates
Deadline for articles and abstracts submission: February 15th, 2026
The announcement of the final conference program: April 30th, 2026

Read more: https://ir.sggw.edu.pl/en/lte/

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

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

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:
Early bird registration deadline: March 15th, 2026
Registration deadline (also for field visits registration): April 30th, 2026

12th Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Open Science Conference & Meetings

Date: August 8th –19th, 2026
Location: Oslo, Norway

The SCAR and the Norwegian Polar Institute warmly invite you to the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference, The conference will feature an interdisciplinary programme that includes plenary lectures, parallel sessions, mini-symposia, workshops, panel discussions, posters, and social activities.
Join colleagues from around the world for a rich and varied programme, from plenary lectures and mini-symposia to parallel sessions, panels, posters, and an inspiring social programme in and around Oslo.

Deadline: abstract submission: February 28th, 2026.

Read more: https://scar2026.org/

4th International Symposium on Climate-Resilient Agri-Environmental Systems (ISCRAES 2026)

Date: August 12th –14th, 2026
Location: Dublin, Ireland

The main theme of the ISCRAES 2026 is “Land Health Nexus: Cultivating Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agri-Environments”, leading to achieving the primary objective of agro-environmental sustainability by tackling the current major environmental, climate, and societal challenges facing the world.

Deadlines:
– Submitting abstracts, Final: 31 March 2026
– Standard registration: 30 April 2026 (For inclusion in the proceedings and programme)
– Late registration fee: 31 July 2026

Read more: www.iscraes.org

International Symposium on Earthworm Ecology (ISEE13)
13th edition
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.

Deadlines:
Decision on abstract acceptance: March 4th, 2026
Deadline for early bird registration: April 15th, 2026
Deadline for registration: June 17th, 2026

First Celebration of the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK), proclaimed by UNESCO

Date: September 10th – 13th, 2026
Location: Postojna, Slovenia

Following the proclamation of the International Day of Caves and Karst (IDCK) by UNESCO, this is the first official celebration.
The central date of the celebration will be 13 September 2026, with a series of scientific and outreach events planned in the days leading up to it.

We warmly invite all supporters of the International Day of Caves and Karst initiative, as well as the wider scientific, educational and policy communities, to save the date. A formal announcement, registration form and detailed programme will follow.

10th International Nitrogen Conference (N2026)
Sustainable Nitrogen Management for Future Generations

Date: November 2nd-6th, 2026
Location: Wageningen, the Netherlands

The 10th International Nitrogen Conference (N2026) aims to foster global collaboration under the theme “Sustainable Nitrogen Management for Future Generations.” While coordination between science and policy is essential, effectively addressing the nitrogen challenge requires the active engagement of all stakeholders, including governments, researchers, educators, industry, civil society, and the public.
Read more: https://www.initrogen.org/events/n2026—kyoto—2—6-november-2026

Opportunities

CESFRA – Postdoctoral Position in Agronomy and Soils Sciences (Dynamic of Organic Matter (SOM)
Postdoctoral Position in Agronomy and Soils Sciences (Dynamic of organic matter (SOM) in soils and how to improve it contains, particularly, on its stable form and establish the relationships between SOM and biological indicators for soil health under different land uses).
Area of specialisation in degraded soils, organic matter, organo-mineral soil improvers, microbial inoculation, plant cover, soil health and quality, soil health indicators, sustainable agriculture, and monitoring of field experiments.
Employer: MOHAMMED VI POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
Location: Benguerir, Morocco
Closing date: 5 Mar 2026
Read more: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/406902/cesfra-postdoctoral-position-in-agronomy-and-soils-sciences-dynamic-of-organic-matter-som-/

Communication

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

If you are interested in promoting your product or book, event, job call in our Alert, please send an email to iuss.secretariat@crea.gov.it.