WCSS (Glasgow 22) - 22nd World Congress of Soil Science

The WCSS is the leading international soil science conference, held every 4 years in different countries and attended by over 3,000 soil scientists from around the globe. The Delta-T Devices stand will showcase our comprehensive range of industry leading soil sensors (moisture, temperature, EC) alongside our data logging and cloud-based data management systems.

Event Type:: Conference/Seminar
Date:: Jul. 31, 2022 - Aug. 5, 2022
Venue:: Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
Location:: Glasgow , UK

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Soil Tours

Great Britain mainland is a small island lying within a narrow latitude range of about 50^o – 60^o North and covering less than 0.2% of the earth’s land surface, yet the diversity of soil forming factors operating across this small area, has meant that 60% (19) of the 32 global Reference Soil Groups recognized by the International Union of Soil Sciences / FAO World Reference Base can be found here.

In keeping with the Congress theme, ‘Soil Science – crossing boundaries, changing society’, our tours programme is entitled ‘Small Island, Diverse soils, Big opportunities - Connecting people & soils’. Its overall objective is to demonstrate just some of this diversity whilst focusing on the ability of local soils to sustain a variety of soil functions beneficial to society.

The various tours proposed will each provide examples of how soil scientists are working with local land managers, environmental, government and educational organisations to demonstrate the benefits provided by local soil types when they are managed to maximise their functional potential and minimise their limitations. At this time all tours are dependant on local restrictions and attendee interest.

Cultural Tours

Rabbie's Tours
We have partnered with Rabbie's to give delegates and accompanying persons an exclusive 10% discount when you book directly before 7 August 2022 on all day and multi-day tours from Glasgow between the 27 July 2022 – 8 August 2022. Register for the World Congress of Soil Science today to receive the promo code to use at checkout.

Rabbie's expert guides lead you through the must-see sights of Scotland. You explore the epic natural wonders, cute traditional villages, and ancient castles. And on all their tours, you learn from the best storytellers, explore in small groups of 16 passengers or less, support local communities, enjoy guaranteed departures, and get a guaranteed experience or your money back.

Soil Judging

Soil Judging Introduction

As part of the World Congress of Soil Science 2022 (WCSS) we are pleased to announce the launch of the quadrennial, hotly contested, Soil Judging Competition! This is an opportunity to demonstrate your skills, whilst enjoying some time away in Stirling, the historic “Gateway to the Highlands”. In teams of four you will spend time in training with some of the foremost experts in the field of soil science, before representing your country or region in competition at sites across scenic Scotland. With prizes presented on the opening night of the World Congress, during the prestigious opening ceremony, this is an accolade worth working for.

The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) is hosting the 22^nd WCSS on behalf of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), and the competition will include the high-level training including guest speakers, which is associated with this event. Offering education, skills, support, and professional development across all stages of a soil professionals’ career is the core BSSS’ aims and we are keen to share local knowledge with researchers at the early stages of their career to enhance their knowledge and learning.

Can you take the challenge? Want to see how your team measures up against your international competitors? Are you an Early Career scientist?

Eligibility Criteria

All teams, and team members, must satisfy the conditions below to compete in the soil judging competition.

Teams will be made up of four members representing a single country or organisation
At the time of competition all members of a team must be either:

Resident in the represented country for a minimum of 6 months
Registered at an academic institution based within the represented country
Be a national of the represented country

All competing team members must satisfy the following:

All team members must be present for the entire competition
All team members must be a registered student at the time of competition, or alternatively be either a registered member of a recognised national youth organisation in a related field, for example young farmers’ unions or an early-stage practitioner with no prior experience in soil judging, interpretation, or analysis.
Team members should not be employed in, or have been employed in in the six months prior to competition, a soil judging, interpretation, or analysis role.
Team members must qualify as ‘Early Career’; within the first five years of their career post-graduation.
All team members must be eligible for entry to the United Kingdom on the date of competition

Dates: 26 July 2022 - 31 July 2022
Location: Stirling University Campus
Board Basis: Full Board
Price: £3500 per team of 4. Additional person(s) accompanying £875 each

Soil Judging Programme

Wednesday 27 - Sunday 31 July 2022: Soil Judging Competition

Welcome to the soil judging competition of the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS)! Located on campus at Stirling University this programme comprises three days of classroom and field-based training before beginning the competition phase which will be held over two days at a secret field- site. This programme offers plenty of opportunity to grow your knowledge base, skills, and professional network. For all days there will be lunch provided, breaks with complimentary refreshments, and transport to and from field locations. You can find out more information about the competition at www.22wcss.org or contact us at wcss22@soils.org.uk to register.

27 July 2022 - Day One - 9am-5pm

Guest Speaker - Scottish Soil Governance: How soils fit into the landscape of Scotland’s environmental legislation.

Lecture One - Soils of Scotland: Formation, history, survey, and mapping of soils; where they are and how they are used

Lecture Two - Soil Judging Concepts

Lecture Three - Soil Functionality Concepts: Soil properties, processes, functions, and ecosystem services

Field Trip - Stirling University Soil Pits

28 July 2022 - Day Two - 9am-5pm

Guest Speaker - Farming in Scotland: National Farmers Union of Scotland

Lecture One - Brown Earths in Scotland: Formation, description, identification, and functionality

Lecture Two - Peat Bogs in Scotland: Formation, description, identification, and functionality

Lecture Three - Podzols in Scotland: Formation, description, identification, and functionality Field Trip – Flanders Moss and Valley bottom Gleysol

29 July 2022 - Day Three - 9am-5pm

Guest Speaker - Climate Change and Carbon Offsetting: Use and misuse of the carbon offsetting concepts

Lecture One - WRB Soil Classification Concepts: Structure, diagnostics, and descriptors

Lecture Two - USDA Soil Classification Concepts: Structure, diagnostics, and descriptors

Lecture Three - Soil Functionality Concepts: Linking soil characteristics to multiple ecosystem functions and services

Field Trip - Forest Podzols and soil formation factors at Dumyat

30 and 31 July 2022 - Day Four and Five - 9am-4pm

Soil Judging Competition - Field Location

Policy Programme

Sustainable natural systems and effective global policies: how to protect a resource that supports life on Earth

Tuesday 2 August 10:00-17:30

The Soil Policy event will be the first session of its kind at the World Congress of Soil Science, drawing together an expert group of invited speakers to discuss the complexities, challenges and opportunities of soil policy and governance.

Soils are a diverse component of all terrestrial ecosystems, providing a wide range of ecosystem services that are important for our environment, society and economy, including food production, water regulation and climate regulation. This provisioning of ecosystem services has resulted in their overuse and exploitation from many different users, often exceeding the boundaries of the natural system.

The speakers, over three sessions, will explore a range of topics, including the practicalities of regulating soils; the effectiveness of current soil policy; how action can be implemented considering the range of stakeholders involved; what future soil policy could look like; and how to ensure the delivery of positive changes essential to not only reverse the degradation of soils but also ensure the future, sustainable use of all soils.

The Soil Policy sessions will be accessible for anyone attending the Congress with an in-person delegate pass for the 2 August. Single day delegate passes are available for those wishing to attend select elements of the programme without committing to the full scientific programme.

Session 1 Priorities and Strategies for Sustainable Soil Management

This first session will frame the context of this first Soil Policy event, introducing the complexities, priorities and strategies necessary for sustainable soil management.

Session 2 Delivering Effective Soil Policy Through Science

Speakers from a range of sectors and countries will explore how science is communicated beyond researchers and how the impact of research can be improved, including influencing behaviour change to achieve sustainable soil management through policy makers, land managers and regulators to effectively deliver multiple benefits.

Session 3 Achieving Behavioural Change in Sustainable Soil Management

The session will explore the next steps necessary to achieve the goals explored throughout the day, including the opportunities and the challenges.

To conclude the Soil Policy event, invited speakers will participate in a panel discussion to explore in more detail the main challenges and solutions necessary to ensure that soil policy is successfully delivered and adopted at the right scale considering the needs of the users, to enable its sustainable use and contribution to environmental targets such as net zero; climate change mitigation and adaptation; food security and biodiversity recovery. Questions will be taken from the audience throughout the Policy Session for the Panel.

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