International Network of Black Soils (INBS)
The International Network of Black Soils (INBS) aims to provide a knowledge sharing platform for countries with black soils to discuss both the common issues related to the conservation and sustainable management
of these soils and also the need to foster technical exchanges and cooperation. Launched in March 2017, with representatives from national soil institutions from Argentina, Brazil, China, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America
(USA), the INBS will enhance collaboration and identify relevant research gaps to be addressed in a global status report on the challenges of scaling up the sustainable use of black soils. Delegates from 18 countries signed the Harbin Communiqué
in 2018.
Functions, duties and more
The establishment of this network has the following objectives:
- To provide a platform for countries with black soils to discuss common issues related to the conservation and sustainable management of black soils;
- To develop a report on the global status, current productivity and challenges for black soils;
- To foster collaboration among countries with black soils towards the promotion of the sustainable use and management of black soils and to identify relevant research gaps;
- To serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and technical cooperation on black soils management.
Any partner of the FAO Global Soil Partnership can become a member of INBS. To become a partner of the Global Soil Partnership, please register through the online form and send an email to [email protected] and [email protected].
National institutions, academia, NGOs, civil society, farmer associations, and other stakeholders interested in participating in this joint action to achieve the sustainable and productive management of black soils are welcome to join this network.
Main activities
Global Soil Partnership Plenary Assembly focused on “black soils” and data-sharing initiatives
23/06/2017
لعربية | 中文 | English | Français | Русский | Español Soil...
COP24 | Black Soils for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
06/12/2018
Presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland...
World Soil Day 2022: FAO publishes first global report on black soils
05/12/2022
Report calls for sustainable management amid mounting threats
Latest publication
Global status of black soils
2022
Black soils are carbon-rich and highly fertile soils known as the world's food basket due to the variability of crops they sustain..
This was developed and submitted by fourteen INBS countries, and INBS coordinated the mapping process.
GBSmap - v1.0
Learn more about the GBS map
Events and working sessions
INBS agreed to advance science and technology of black soils management in the world
7/5
2026
Webinar on Black Soils management in North America
07/05/2026
Target Audience Scientists, policymakers, international organizations, researchers, civil society representatives, land users, and local communities. Introduction Black soils, also known as Chernozems or Mollisols, are among the most productive and ecologically significant soils worldwide. In North America, they cover approximately 31 million hectares in the United States and 13 million h...
13/6
2026
7th Workshop of the International Network of Black Soils (INBS)
13/06/2026
The 7th Workshop of the FAO GSP’s International Network of Black Soils (INBS) will be organized in the Post‑Congress Tour 5 of the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS2026), held in Changchun, China, on 13 June 2026. The workshop provides a global platform for advancing dialogue on black soils, sustainable black soil management for ensuring food security, climate change adaptation and miti...
Publications
Status of the World's Soil Resources - Technical Summary
15/10/2018
This document presents a summary of the first Status of the World’s Soil Resources report, the goal of which is to make clear the essential connections...
Key document
Status of the World's Soil Resources: Main Report
12/10/2018
The 2015 Status of the World’s Soil Resources (SWSR) is a reference document on the status of global soil resources that provides regional assessments...
Key document
Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management
19/06/2018
The guidelines provide technical recommendations on how SSM can be achieved. The VGSSM are of a voluntary nature and are not legally binding. They elaborate...
Global Map of Black Soils
20/05/2022
Considering the great importance of black soils and their risk of severe degradation, it has become crucial to develop a deeper understanding of the...
Global status of black soils
05/12/2022
Black soils are carbon-rich and highly fertile soils known as the world's food basket due to the variability of crops they sustain..