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RECARE session at EGU 2015

 

 

 

 

 

WorkPackage 2 (WP2) of the RECARE project is organising a session at the coming EGU General Assembly in Vienna, 12-17 April 2015. The session (SSS9.4 - Soil threats & Ecosystem ServicesSoil threats & Ecosystem Services) is convened by WP2 leader Dr. Jannes Stolte and by co-convener Dr. Jan Jacob Keizer.

The ecosystem services (ESS) concept is considered to be a useful communication tool to highlight the dependence of human well-being on ecosystems. It has the potential to bridge the gaps between ecology, economics and society in order to achieve sustainable resource management (Braat and de Groot, 2012). The term "ecosystem services" was first proposed in early 1980s to increase public awareness about the negative consequences of biodiversity loss on the human welfare (Ehrlich and Ehrlich, 1981; Mooney and Ehrlich, 1997). The release of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2003, 2005) led to the widespread integration of ESS in policy decision-making (Gómez-Baggethun et al., 2010). Soils are part of the biophysical structure, and provide, through its processes, ESS for human wellbeing. Recently, soil science has recognised the importance of the ESS concept for prevention and mitigation of soil degradation. There are many efforts to incorporate the ESS concept in soil policy making (Breure et al., 2012; Robinson et al., 2012), as it legitimates soil conservation practices by illustrating the broad value of healthy soils and it helps to evaluate them regarding trade-offs.

This session welcomes contributions to the understanding on (the interaction between) soil, soil functions and ecosystem services (deadline of abstract submission - 16 January 2015 through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

 

SOILS SUSTAIN LIFE - video series initiated by SSSA

In the framework of the International Year of Soil, 2015, the the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) has developed a set of 12 videos, each centered around a monthly soil related theme. The goal of these videos is to raise:

• Public awareness of the value of soils and soil science
• Visibility of soil scientists in their communities
• Highlight soils.org as the premiere place to find soils information

The first video, about Soils sustaing life on our planet, can be viewed below, and higlights Soil as the foundation of life on earth and shows the EcoSystem Services (ESS) soils provide.

EcoSystem Services are also an important aspect of the RECARE project. More about the relation between ESS and the RECARE project can be found on the workshop page about the EcoSystem Services Workshop given in the framework of the RECARE project earlier in 2014.