International Union Of Soil Sciences Research Articles

IUSS SUITMA 6 International Symposium 2011

Soils in urban, industrial, traffic, mining and military areas (SUITMA) is a working group of the International Union of Soil Sciences created in 1998 to increase and promote soil science in strongly anthropized areas (Morel and Heinrich 2008). Originally dedicated to basic soil science aimed at the description, analysis, classification, and mapping of soils developed in humantransformed environments, i.e., the SUITMAs, which exhibit contrasting features in comparison with natural soils, the SUITMA group interest has shifted towards the study of soil functions, their status and restoration, and their role in the functioning and evolution of urban ecosystems. Every 2 years, the SUITMA group organizes a conference (i.e., Essen, Nancy, Cairo, Nanjing, New York City, Marrakech) which gathers 100–150 scientists and professionals whose activities are centered in urban and peri-urban environments. The 2011 conference (SUITMA 6) was held in Marrakech, Morocco. It was co-organized by the Faculte des Sciences et Techniques of Marrakech and the GISFI (http://www.gisfi.fr). One hundred participants attended the conference and a total of 45 communications and 48 posters were presented in four sessions: session 1: SUITMA properties and diversity, contamination, and remediation; session 2: role of SUITMAs in global change and water quality; session 3: biodiversity in SUITMAs; and session 4: SUITMAs as buffer for human health and social stability. Eleven peer-reviewed papers are being published in this special issue of the Journal of Soils and Sediments, which focus on the properties, processes, evolution, and management of soils in urban and human-altered environments. Targets of study include soils with technic materials (Abakumov et al. 2013; El Khalil et al. 2013; Houben et al. 2013; Huot et al. 2013; Nehls et al. 2013; Schonsky et al. 2013), those with elevated metal contents (Aboudrar et al. 2013; Jean-Soro et al. 2013), soils in storm water infiltration basins (Coulon et al. 2013; El-Mufleh et al. 2013), and soils with landmines (Preetz et al. 2013). The conference was completed with a 2-day field trip in Marrakech and its vicinity to study the impacts of mining activities on soils, the consumption of agricultural soils by urbanization (e.g., the Palmeraie of Marrakech), the management of water in arid zones, and the creation of urban parks. During the meeting, Torun, Poland, was selected for the next conference (SUITMA 7, September 16–22, 2013; http://www.suitma7.umk.pl). SUITMA will also be present in 2014 at the 20th World Congress of Soil Science in Jeju, South Korea, with a symposium entitled “Urban soils—properties, functions, and evolution.” We look forward to welcoming new members and old friends at both events. N. Dickinson Department of Ecology, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln, Canterbury 7647, New Zealand

Inter-congress Meeting of International Union of Soil Sciences in Jeju, Korea, June 2012

Inter-congress Meeting of International Union of Soil Sciences in Jeju, Korea, June 2012

Cross-reference for relating Genetic Soil Classification of China with WRB at different scales

Soil classification systems are not consistent between countries or organizations thereby hindering the communication and organizational functions they are intended to promote. World Reference Base for soil resources (WRB) was endorsed and adopted by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) as the standard for soil correlation and international communication. As a widely used classification system in China, Genetic Soil Classification of China (GSCC) differs from WRB in its underlying understanding about the genetic process. The differences limit communication between Chinese and international soil scientists because there is no standard cross-reference between GSCC and WRB. This paper describes a cross-reference of GSCC to WRB at different scales. The basic soil data set used in the study includes 7292 soil profile data (representative of soil series) collected throughout China. First, a brief history of soil classification in China is provided to familiarize readers with GSCC and its origins. Second, cross-reference at the pedon scale is addressed based on data compiled from 51 monoliths acquired in China by the International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC) in the 1980s and 1990s. Each of GSCC's 7292 soil series is classified into their equivalent reference soil groups according to the WRB soil reference key. Pedon scale cross referencing is discussed using the database from the Second National Soil Survey of China. Third, the concept and calculation of referencibility is introduced and the process for cross-referencing soil classification systems at national scale is addressed. GIS based analysis generates 60 reference results between GSCC soil great groups and WRB reference group. Results demonstrate that there is great variability in the maximum referencibility between soil great groups of GSCC and WRB soil groups, which ranged from 29.4% to 100%. In terms of the maximum referencibility, it can be divided into three categories: high (80%–100%), intermediate (50%–80%), and low (< 50%). Among the 60 soil great groups of GSCC, 12 could be labeled as high maximum referencibility, 27 categorized as medium maximum referencibility and the remaining 21 are associated with low maximum referencibility. Finally, the main cause of low maximum referencibility is explored and the potential solution to improve cross reference accuracy was proposed.

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Publications for evaluations: The impact of soil science and soil scientists

According to the records of the International Union of Soil Sciences, there are over 50,000 members of national soil science societies across the globe. Some of them are research scientists; others are practical scientists working as consultants, teachers, or managers of institutes or tracts of land. Only a portion of them work in soil science and actively publish. Currently, over 16,000 journal publications appear annually with soil in the title, keyword, or abstract (Thomson ISI data). If we assume an average of 3 authors per paper, then there are potentially 48,000 authors. If we estimate that 25% of them are non-soil scientists and of the remaining authors each publishes on average three papers per year (Minasny et al. 2007), then there are about 12,000 soil scientists that actively publish. The real figure is probably lower. Despite a reduced number of scientists since the mid-1970s (when the number was highest), the number of publications keeps increasing with about 500 per year

Diagnostic indicators for characterizing urban soils of Szeged, Hungary

Urban soils differ from the natural ones in that they are more strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities. This is especially relevant for Szeged (SE Hungary), where the original surface of the city had been elevated by several meters by the intensive anthropogenic activities (infilling) following the Great Flood of 1879. Samples were taken at 15 sites during the spring of 2005 from horizons of soil profiles located in this city. The major aims of this study were the examination and tracing of the diagnostic properties different from natural soils (i.e. artefacts, humus content, humus quality, pH (H 2O, KCl), carbonate content, nitrogen content) from the city centre towards the outskirts. In addition, near the profiles average topsoil samples (0–10 cm depth, 2–4 m 2) were also taken for determining heavy metal concentrations in order to assess the “toxic” character [FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), IUSS (International Union of Soil Sciences), ISRIC (International Soil Reference and Information Centre) 2006. (the first update 2007) World reference base for soil resources. A framework for international classification, correlation and communication, Rome, Italy, pp. 128. ISBN: 92-5-105511-4. ( http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/wrb/doc/wrb2006final.pdf)] of the profiles on the one hand, and to differentiate the lithogenic and the artificial origin of these toxic metals on the other. Most of the examined soil parameters are excellent markers of human influence on urban soils. This can be seen either in a change in their recorded concentration values or the alteration of their vertical distribution in the profiles. The large number of artefacts, the low and fluctuating humus and nitrogen levels, the poor quality of the humic material, the higher and fluctuating carbonate content and a concomitant variance in the pH, the modified mechanical properties all refer to soils affected and transformed by human activities. This is also supported by the statistical analysis of the above mentioned parameters indicating human influence. The studied horizons were assigned into natural and anthropogenic categories. It proved possible to distinguish anthropogenic (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and lithogenic (Co, Cr) heavy metals. The anthropogenic elements exceeded the threshold limit values in the studied profiles. Thus, they were categorized as Toxic in accordance with the WRB 2006. The studied urban soils of the city of Szeged have been classified in WRB (2006) with the help of the above mentioned parameters.

Advancing the Emerging Field of Hydropedology First International Conference on Hydropedology; University Park, Pennsylvania, 28–31 July 2008

Both soil science and hydrology are at a critical threshold of exploring breakthroughs. Synergies are expected by bridging classical pedology with soil physics, hydrology, geomorphology, and other related bio‐ and geo‐sciences to address complex soil and water interactions across spatiotemporal scales. Holistic study of the Earth's critical zone (i.e., the critical interface between the surficial solid Earth and its fluid envelopes, which ranges from the top of vegetation to the bottom of aquifers) demands interdisciplinary systems approaches to tackle a wide array of environmental, ecological, agricultural, geological, and natural resource issues of societal importance.In this spirit, and aiming to advance the emerging field of hydropedology, the first international conference on hydropedology was held at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) with the theme “Water and Soil: Key to Sustaining the Earth's Critical Zone.” The International Union of Soil Sciences' Working Group on Hydropedology organized this meeting, with main sponsorships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Research Initiative and Penn State.

ISMOM 2008: 5* International Symposium on Interactions of Soil Minerals with Organic Components and Microorganisms: Commission 2.5 Soil Physical/Chemical/Biological Interfacial Reactions of the International Union of Soil Sciences

ISMOM 2008: 5* International Symposium on Interactions of Soil Minerals with Organic Components and Microorganisms: Commission 2.5 Soil Physical/Chemical/Biological Interfacial Reactions of the International Union of Soil Sciences

Revised Statutes and Bye-Laws of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

Revised Statutes and Bye-Laws of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

IUSS corner (international union of soil sciences): Update November 2004

IUSS corner (international union of soil sciences): Update November 2004

Iuss corner (international union of soil sciences): an update

Iuss corner (international union of soil sciences): an update

Report from Inter-Congress Meeting of International Union of Soil Sciences : Expectations of 18th World Congress of Soil Science in Philadelphia

Report from Inter-Congress Meeting of International Union of Soil Sciences : Expectations of 18th World Congress of Soil Science in Philadelphia

IUSS corner (international union of soil sciences): Resolutions

IUSS corner (international union of soil sciences): Resolutions

Establishment of International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

Establishment of International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

IUSS corner (International Union of Soil Sciences): New officers

IUSS corner (International Union of Soil Sciences): New officers