Save the date and join the seminar: “The World Soil Reference Collection: a unique source for research and education” on 29th March, 2018

Save the date and join the seminar: “The World Soil Reference Collection: a unique source for research and education” on 29th March, 2018.

Programme: 13.45 – 16.30 (closure with drinks)

Venue: Wageningen Campus, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, room GAIA 1

ISRIC has implemented a global sampling scheme to broaden its world soil reference collection. During this 7 year project the quality and accessibility of the World Soil Reference Collection has been improved.

In this seminar we will present the results of these activities, highlight the international relevance of this collection and show the potential to use the collection in addressing contemporary societal challenges.

You are kindly invited to participate in the seminar and share your experiences and ideas on the value and use of soil reference collections.

For over 50 years ISRIC – World Soil Information has been building up a reference collection of soils around the world. This collection, unique in the world, now includes over thousand preserved soil profiles covering all climatic and physiographic zones of the world.

From each profile physical and chemical analysis of the various horizons are available as well as thousands of associated physical soil samples.

Two invited speakers will reflect on the value and use of soil reference information for mapping, science and education.

The symposium is free and open to the public. Join the symposium on March 29!

Programme:

13.15 h : Arrival participants and reception with coffee

13.45 h: Welcome on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (Eduard van Beusekom)

13.55 h: Soil services for science and society (Rik van den Bosch, ISRIC)

14.05 h: Enhancing the quality of the World Soil Reference Collection (Bas Kempen, ISRIC)

14.20 h: Use and relevance of soil reference collections for science and education (Stephan Mantel, ISRIC)

14.40 h: The World Soil Museum, students, and the geography of soils (Paul Farres, University of Portsmouth)

15.00 h: From the field to reference collections for research for sustainable development in Africa, Olivier Dewitte, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA)

15. 20 h: Discussion and closure

15.30 h: Coffee break with cake

15.45 h: Tour: World Soil Museum, workshop and collection storage

16.30 h: Drinks and bites