The Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) was established in 2017 to build and strengthen the capacity of laboratories in soil analysis and to respond to the need for harmonizing soil analytical data. Harmonization of methods, units, data and information is critical to (1) provide reliable and comparable information between countries and projects; (2) allow the generation of new harmonized soil data sets; and (3) support evidence-based decision making for sustainable soil management. In order to downscale its activities and better adapt them to the local context, the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN)is structured in regional and national soil laboratory networks. National Soil Laboratory Networks are established by grouping together soil laboratories operating in the same country, under the leadership of the National Reference Laboratory. 

The Global Symposium on Salt-Affected Soils (GSAS21) – “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity” addressed one of the most acute soil threats worldwide, soil salinization and sodification, which challenges the sustainable development of countries with arid and semiarid climates and extensive coastal areas. 

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The Global Symposium on Soils for Nutrition - “Soils, where food begins” will be held in a virtual format from 26 to 29 July 2022. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and its Global Soil Partnership (GSP), the symposium will bring science and policy together to review the status and challenges of soil fertility in relation with crop, animal and human nutrition.

A giant step: from wet to dry chemistry in soil analysis

Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. In recent years, visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance (Vis-NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy has been recognised as a low-cost, efficient, and accurate soil analysis technique and it is becoming increasingly popular.

To support cost-effective, timely solutions for soil analysis and facilitate detailed soil mapping and monitoring, GLOSOLAN launched the soil spectroscopy initiative (GLOSOLAN-Spec) in 2020. Such initiatives, focused on capacity development at country level, through the creation of training materials and by conducting webinars in several languages.

The webinars unpacked the creation and development of national and regional soil spectral libraries and their estimation services as well as the provision of advice and tools. This enables countries to access a wide range of soil data using rapid and cost-effective methods of analysis. Over the long-term, national and regional soil maps can be improved and used to enhance the implementation of sustainable soil management (SSM) practices.

A special issue on soil governance of the peer-reviewed journal “SoilSecurity” was published this month with expert contributions from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Global Soil Partnership’s (GSP) working group on soil legislation.