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The International Union of Soil Science(Iuss)

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The International Union of Soil Science(Iuss) Carbon Management and Sequestration Center THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SOIL SCIENCE(IUSS) Rattan Lal Carbon Management and Sequestration Center The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210 USA 1 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center ORIGIN OF SOIL SCIENCE • It emerged as a discipline in mid-1800s • It is based on basic sciences of geology, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, ecology, hydrology, geostatistics etc. • Numerous scientific advances have been made since 1950s with strong impacts on food production and environmental quality. 2 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center MAJOR ADVANCES IN SOIL SCIENCE SINCE 1850S • Increase in knowledge base about soil processes and dynamics, and theoretical principles • Development of analytical methods and instruments • Creation of major sub-disciplines (e.g., chemistry, physics, pedology, biochemistry, microbiology, ecology, environmental science) • Expanding application of soil, science beyond agriculture (e.g., climate, water, engineering, biology, human health , archaeology, art and culture). 3 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center • IUSS (formerly ISSS) was created in 1924 • It is a link to the world’s 60,000 soil scientists 4 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center PERMANENT ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT OF IUSS The secretariat was inaugurated in January 2015, Vienna, Austria. It is staffed by: i. Secretary ii. Treasurer iii. Office associate Dr. Sigbert Huber Secretary, IUSS Email: [email protected] Address: Spittelauer Lande 5 1090 Wien Austria Phone: 43-01-313 Website: www.iuss.org 5 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center MISSION OF IUSS IUSS IS THE GLOBAL UNION OF SOIL SCIENTISTS TO: • Serve and reinforce the global soil science community • Promote soil science and all its activities • Engage with global stakeholders (e.g., GSP, GSW, UN, FAO, EU, OECD, G20, G27) • Stimulate soil science initiatives inside and outside the IUSS • Improve communication with other scientific disciplines and the general public • Enhance the management of the organization 6 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center MAIN OBJECTIVES OF IUSS Its objectives are to : •Foster all branches of the soil science and their applications, •Support soil scientists in pursuit of their profession. •Promote soil science , and •Bond soil scientists. 7 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center IUSS NEWS AND MEDIA REPORTS I.Monthly News Alert I.IUSS Bulletin • Official information about all important events of IUSS and related groups and organizations • Bulletin #1 was published in 1952 8 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE The IUSS has four Divisions: 1. Soils in Space and Time 2. Soil Properties and Processes 3. Soil Use and Management 3. The Role of Soils in Sustaining Society and the Environment 9 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center Division 1 – Soils in Space and Time Division 1 is the "What" of soil science . It looks at the soil as a body and how it was formed, the extent of its global coverage, and the many complex interactions with the biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. Division 1 has 6 commissions: 1.1 Soil Morphology and Micromorphology 1.2 Soil Geography 1.3 Soil Genesis 1.4 Soil Classification 1.5 Pedometrics 1.6 Paleopedology 10 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center DIVISION 2- SOIL PROPERTIES AND PROCESSES Division 2 is the "How” of soil science .It addresses the fundamental science of the discipline, and understanding of fundamental processes. Division 2 has 5 commissions: 2.1 Soil Physics 2.2 Soil Chemistry 2.3 Soil Biology 2.4 Soil Mineralogy 2.5 Soil Chemical, Physical and Biological Interfacial Reactions 11 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center DIVISION 3- SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT Division 3 is the "Why” of soil science. It deals with the societal needs and wellbeing. It is the application of the fundamental knowledge of soil science to address high priority social, economic, and environmental challenges of major societal and scientific interest. Division 3 has 5 commissions: 3.1 Soil Evaluation and Land Use Planning 3.2 Soil and Water Conservation 3.3 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition 3.4 Soil Engineering and Technology 3.5 Soil Degradation Control, Remediation, and Reclamation 12 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center DIVISION 4- THE ROLE OF SOIL IN SUSTAINING SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT Division 4 is “outreach and networking” of soil science . It is more generalized and entails the transfer and outreach of the knowledge base to address interdisciplinary issues and enhance the awareness about the importance of soil science among other disciplines. Division 4 has 5 commissions: 4.1 Soil and the Environment 4.2 Soil, Food Security, and Human Health 4.3 Soil and Land Use Change 4.4 Soil Education and Public Awareness 4.5 History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Soil Science 13 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center GLOBAL ISSUES OF INTEREST TO IUSS • Food and nutritional security • Water quality and renewability • Energy demands • Biodiversity conservation • Ecosystem restoration • C (H2O, N) cycling and climate change • Climate-resilient soils 14 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center GLOBAL ACTIVITIES BEING PURSUED BY IUSS A. Development of: • Soil functionality maps to quantify existing threat risks • Sensitivity maps to minimize future degradation processes • Scale dependent soil management scenarios- land and soil degradation discussions and mapping B. Integration of biodiversity and global soil approaches C. Soil C sequestration and climate change adaptation and mitigation 15 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center COLLABORATION WITH EMERGING ORGANIZATIONS IUSS envisages working with some key international organizations. 16 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center FAO, Rome 2012 17 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON SOILS (ITPS) • The ITPS was established on 12th June 2013 at the first Plenary Assembly of GSP in Rome • ITPS has the following functions: 1. Provide scientific and technical advice on global soil issues primarily to the GSP and in relation to specific requests submitted by global or regional institutions. 1. Advocate for the inclusion of sustainable soil management into different development agendas. 1. Review and follow up on the situation and issues related to soils in the contexts of food security, use and management of natural resources, ecosystem services provision, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and other relevant areas. 1. Review and endorse from a technical viewpoint the GSP Plans of Action. 1. Follow up on the implementation of these Plans of Action with due attention to their impact and contributions to different global policies and initiatives related to sustainable development, MDGs, food security, climate change adaptation and other subject matters. 1. In exceptional cases, when complex technical matters arise, request the Plenary Assembly and the Secretariat to form technical committees aiming to gather specific advice. 18 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center CALL FOR EXPERTS TO SERVE ON THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL PANEL OF SOILS The Global Soil Partnership (GSP) invites all its Partners to nominate soil experts from their regions as candidates for appointments to the Intergovernmental Technical Panel of Soils. Nominations should be sent to [email protected]. on or before 20 May 2015. 19 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center GLOBAL SOIL WEEK • The Global Soil Week is hosted by IASS, Potsdam,Germany • International, multi-stakeholder process is aimed to: … enhance awareness abut the vital resource soil,and translate knowledge into action … foster the exchange of knowledge and experiences between scientists, decision-makers and representatives of civil society organization on equal footing. … set an “Agenda for Action” for better soil and land management and governance for sustainable development. 20 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center GLOBAL SOIL WEEK • The Global Soil Week… … is a process, not a “one-shot-event” … is a multi-institutional activity … analogous to the Stockholm World Water Week. 21 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center PARTNERS OF GLOBAL SOIL WEEK 22 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SOILS 2015-IYS 2015 After two years of intensive work, 2015 has been declared the International Year of Soils by the 68th UN General Assembly (A/RES/68/232). The IYS aims to be a platform for raising awareness of the importance of soils for food security and essential eco-system functions. The objectives of the IYS are to: 1. create full awareness of civil society and decision makers about the fundamental roles of soils for human’s life; 1. achieve full recognition of the prominent contributions of soils to food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and sustainable development; 1. promote effective policies and actions for the sustainable management and protection of soil resources; 1. sensitize decision-makers about the need for robust investment in sustainable soil management activities aiming at healthy soils for different land users and population groups; 1. catalyze initiatives in connection with the SDG process and Post-2015 agenda; 1. advocate rapid enhancement of capacities and systems for soil information collection and monitoring at all levels (global, regional and national). 23 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center 2015 IYS • IUSS will celebrate IYS In Vienna on 7th December 2015
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