Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils
British Society of Soil Science
Spring Conference
James Watt Centre 1
Edinburgh Conference Centre
Heriot-Watt University,
Riccarton,
Edinburgh
5 - 7th May
2009
Soils with high organic matter content are widespread across the northern latitudes and a valuable natural resource for a diverse range of human needs, from arable and forest production, buffering greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring urban water supplies to supporting our distinctive native habitats and biodiversity for their tourism, recreation and conservation values.
However, as recognised in the developing European Soil Framework Directive and national soil strategies within the UK, these soils, and their vital functions, are under increasing threat from numerous, diverse risks which include climate change, pollution, land development and agricultural intensification.
The pressing challenge for soil science is to determine what options there are for managing these vulnerable soils in a future of multi-dimensional change.
With this in mind, this conference has been organised to provide an up-to-date assessment of our understanding and management of highly organic soils and to identify knowledge gaps through a series of invited talks by international speakers, together with offered presentations and posters, in the following sessions:
- Impacts of environmental change on the functioning of highly organic soils
- Valuing highly organic soils for ecosystem goods and services
- Current management and policies regarding highly organic soils
- Predicting the future for highly organic soils
This is the final call for registration and poster submissions. Registration will close on Friday 24th April.
Further information is available from the conference web site or email
Jointly hosted by: the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and The Scottish Agricultural College and supported by The Scottish Government.
Scientific Committee: Helaina Black, Macaulay Institute, Lucy Sheppard, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and Bob Rees, Scottish Agricultural College.
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