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Carbon Management and Sequestration Center

THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SCIENCE(IUSS)

Rattan Lal Carbon Management and Sequestration Center The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210 USA

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ORIGIN OF

• It emerged as a discipline in mid-1800s

• It is based on basic sciences of , chemistry, , biology, mathematics, , , geostatistics etc.

• Numerous scientific advances have been made since 1950s with strong impacts on food production and environmental quality.

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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, , biochemistry, microbiology, ecology, environmental science)

• Expanding application of soil, science beyond (e.g., climate, water, , biology, human health , archaeology, art and culture).

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• IUSS (formerly ISSS) was created in 1924

• It is a link to the world’s 60,000 soil scientists

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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

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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.

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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

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DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE

The IUSS has four Divisions:

1. 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 and Micromorphology 1.2 Soil Geography 1.3 Soil Genesis 1.4 1.5 Pedometrics 1.6

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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 2.3 2.4 Soil Mineralogy 2.5 Soil Chemical, Physical and Biological Interfacial Reactions

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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 Planning 3.2 Soil and Water Conservation 3.3 and Plant Nutrition 3.4 Soil Engineering and Technology 3.5 Soil Degradation Control, Remediation, and Reclamation

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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

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GLOBAL ISSUES OF INTEREST TO IUSS

• Food and nutritional security

• Water quality and renewability

• Energy demands

• Biodiversity conservation

• restoration

• C (H2O, N) cycling and climate change

• Climate-resilient soils

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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 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

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COLLABORATION WITH EMERGING ORGANIZATIONS

IUSS envisages working with some key international organizations.

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FAO, Rome 2012

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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.

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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 and governance for sustainable development.

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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.

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PARTNERS OF GLOBAL SOIL WEEK

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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 in cooperation with IAEA

• IUSS supports national celebrations by member societies (e.g., South Arica)

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INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF SOIL (2015-2024)

1. Relationships between human activities and soils and their effects on other components of the environment.

1. Soil security tied to food and water security and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Soil to be considered a key component to mitigate climate change.

1. The urbanization and sealing of soils to be limited to avoid losses of best agricultural soils.

1. Soil awareness should be enhanced throughout the global community at all levels emphasizing.

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U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND SOIL SCIENCE

SDG.2: “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.” is mainly linked to soils an their functioning in natural environments.

SDG.6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”

SDG.7: “Ensure access to an affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” (bioenergy)

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WORKING WITH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

• Develop a mechanism to further the cause of soil science internationally through joint efforts by national academy of science

• Cooperation between IUSS and the USNCSS is an excellent example of such a mechanism.

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CREATING SOIL POLICY RESOLUTIONS

• Developing national/global treaties and policy instruments

• U.S. Senate Resolution 408 (June 2008) is a good example.

• A similar resolution has been proposed for the European Parliament

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POTENTIAL FUTURE AGENDA OF IUSS

IUSS is at the cross roads. Future strategies include:

1. Embrace other groups which work on soils (e.g., biogeochemists, earth scientists, geologists, critical zone scientists, climatologists, ecosystem C groups, ecologists , health professionals)

2. Enhance participation and ownership of all soil scientists across the world, and involve them in IUSS activities

3. Encourage high quality science by Divisions, Commissions and Working Groups.

4. Make it a truly global activity by encouraging participation from developing countries

5. Address global issues, “beyond agriculture”

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FUTURE SOIL RESEARCH SHOULD FOCUS ON

Regaining a balance in:

• Organic C input and losses,

• and production, and

• Release and loss of nutrients

Amundsen et al. (2015)

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Future Soil Research Should Focus on (cont…)

• Water and salt balance in the solum

• Coupled cycling of H2O with C, N, P, S

• and aggregation( organo-mineral complexes)

• Restoration of degraded soils for improving nutritional security and the environment

31 Carbon Management and Sequestration Center 2025 - 2050 Extraterrestrial Soils & Agriculture? • Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture 2015 - 2025 • PharmaceuticalHypogravity Products Pedology? • Sustainable Intensification • Synthetic SoilsSky Farming? • Phytobiome Management • Soils of Extraterrestrial Bodies • Disease-Suppressive Soils • Soil ProcessesClimate & Hypogravity & Soil? • Urban Farming • Pedological Transformations & • Space Agriculture ClimatePharmaceuticals? Change • Recarbonization of the Soil & Biosphere • The Nexus Approach • Robot-based indoor farming

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