The International Network on Soil biodiversity

FAO

The International Network on Soil biodiversity

Mainstreaming soil biodiversity to halt biodiversity loss and ensure healthy soils for sustainable development

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 8p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) The International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) was established in December 2021 to promote the sustainable use and conservation of soil biodiversity and to bring experts in this field and existing initiatives together to form the human talent that contributes to the implementation of the Global Soil Biodiversity Observatory (GLOSOB). This brochure compiles information on the objectives of the network, its scope and areas of work, as well as information on how to become part of this important initiative.

Language English

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Meeting

Report of the launch of the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) 2022

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The launch of the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) took place on 3 December 2021 in the framework of the World Soil Day official celebration. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was organized virtually. NETSOB operates within the framework of the FAO Global Soil Partnership. The objectives of the meeting, attended by 800 experts from around the world, were to launch the network and define its working groups and governance, as well as analyze the roadmap and key activities, further strengthening and improving the knowledge on soil biodiversity at all levels.
Book (stand-alone)

Proceedings of the Second Meeting of the International Network of Salt-Affected Soils (INSAS)
Managing salt-affected soils for a sustainable future
2023

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The proceedings of the second meeting of the International Network of Salt-Affected Soils (INSAS) contain the abstracts of the papers presented during the workshop in Tashkent (22–26 May, 2023). The papers provide the up-to-date scientific knowledge and practical solutions for four topics: (1) mapping, assessing and monitoring of salt-affected soils; (2) sustainable management of salt-affected soils: practices and policy; (3) halophyte and saline agriculture and its effect on soil health; (4) integrated soil and water management under saline/sodic conditions. Under the first topic, modern techniques (geophysics, remote sensing, NIR spectroscopy) for mapping and monitroing of salt-affected soils as wel as mapping of environmental susceptibility to soil salinization in dry regions were presented. Under the second topic, different approaches to reclaim saline and sodic soils and improve seed germination including the use of different organic and inorganic amendments, organic biostimulants, biochar and phytoremediation were discussed. Moreover, biodiversity of salt-affected soils and its change along salinity gradient as well as the impact of soil enzymes on the structure and function of soil microbial communities and how soil degradation is associated with specific soil microbiota were reported. Policy gaps on addressing soil salinity were analyzed and further steps how to integrate agenda on SAS into existing agricultural policies were proposed. The results of Participatory Rural Appraisal approach to survey among farmers were provided. Under the third topic, the results on testing different conventional and non-conventional crops in field trials on salt-affected soils irrigated by fresh and saline water were reported. The influence of soil properties on growing halophytes was considered. Under the fourth topic, the ways to optimize the use of poor-quality irrigation water in agriculture were discussed. Some studies reported about the results of modeling of salt and water transport in soils for estimation of leaching requirement or root zone soil salinity. Several studies reported about the negative aspects of using brackish water leading to secondary soil salinization and sodification. For salt-affected areas with groundwater use for irrigation, the approach combining the Food Systems Approach and integrated water resources management was proposed to address the interdependent challenges of food and water security.
Booklet

Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity
Global symposium on soil biodiversity, 19–22 April 2021 – Outcome document
2021

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The Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity outcome document highlights scientific evidence on the status of soil biodiversity, its impacts, and an agenda for action in the framework of achieving the SDGs. The recommendations presented in this document aim to support the development of policies and actions to encourage the full use of soil biodiversity in the various land-use sectors. The Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity was held virtually on the FAO zoom platform from 19-22 April 2021. It was attended by over 5 000 participants representing more than 160 countries, including representatives of FAO members, organizing institutions, academia, research institutions, the private sector, civil society, and farmers, as well as land users working on soil biodiversity and related fields. This document is also based on the Report of the State of Knowledge of Soil Biodiversity: Status, Challenges and Potentialities, and is complemented by a book of proceedings, which presents extended abstracts of the various parallel sessions presented during the symposium.