Global Soil Security Symposium

GlobalSoilSecurity.tamu.edu

May 19 to 21, 2015

The Global Soil Security concept is an opportunity to develop and promote the importance of soil science beyond our discipline. We invite you to the Global Soil Security Symposium to contribute your expertise and experience to further define the Soil Security concept.

On behalf of  the organizers,  you are invited to the  “Global Soil Security Symposium” being hosted at  Texas A&M University  in College Station, TX on May 19-21 2015 https://www.soils.org/meetings/global-soil-security.  Registration and abstract submission is open.

The conference organizers are Cristine Morgan (Texas A&M University) , Andrea Koch (US Study Centre in Sydney) and Alex McBratney and Damien Field  (University of Sydney). As well, the Borlaug Institute is co-sponsoring and helping us to develop a sound background and framework for the policy component. (other sponsors include Noble Foundation, United States Dept of Agriculture NRCS; Soil Science Society of America, International Union of Soil Scientists, Texas A&M Agrilife Research, and OECD’s Co-operative Research Programme on Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems)

There will be experts and innovative thinkers from a range of disciplines including agricultural and resource economics, (rural) sociology, information technology, soil science, and agronomy to further develop the concept of soil security, and to work toward assessment and implementation strategies. There is expected to be about 150 participants including representative of US and Australian government. There will be a three-day discussion to address the five dimensions of soil security, which are the following:

1.      Capability--the intrinsic capacity of a soil to produce products and ecosystem services;

2.      Condition--the current state of the soil as modified by human activities;

3.      Capital--economics of soil services to Health, Environment and Food production;

4.      Connectivity--the social connection of soil managers and custodians and users of soil products and services to the soil (and to each other); and

5.      Codification - Policy frameworks to secure soil.

Upcoming deadlines:

• Abstract Submission Deadline: April 7, 2015
• Abstract Editing Deadline: May 5, 2015
• Early Registration Rate Deadline: April 7, 2015 

To submit your abstract or learn more just go to https://www.soils.org/meetings/global-soil-security.