An International Conference on Soil Classification and Reclamation of Degraded Lands in Arid Environments (ICSC 2010) will be organized by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) from 17-19 May, 2010 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The Conference, which will be held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of EAD, will bring together scientists and decision-makers to share information on land use and planning.
During the Conference, EAD will launch the Abu Dhabi Soil Survey Report, which highlights the outcomes of the Abu Dhabi Soil Survey initiated in 2006 and completed at the end of 2009.
The Soil Survey was carried out to ensure that decision-makers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi have the information needed to help them in land use planning and agricultural expansion. The Survey was a major joint undertaking by EAD and ICBA. It achieved a number of objectives: developed soil maps for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi; identified areas for potential irrigated agricultural use; presented a range of maps derived from the survey data that could be used for development planning and decision making; developed an online soil database; and initiated a soil archive that could be used for future research and education.
Speaking at the press conference organised by the Agency on Wednesday, H.E Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD and Chairman of the Conference said "Scientists have been studying soil since the 1890's and it plays a vital role in our Earth's ecosystem. Without soil, human life would be very difficult. Arid climates, such as the one we experience here in the UAE, give rise to soils that contain variable amounts of easily soluble components such as calcium carbonate or gypsum that is left behind after evaporation of water from the soil. These soils are fragile and easily degraded,"
"The Abu Dhabi Soil Survey Report carries valuable information for land-use planning and particularly for the sound development of agriculture, sustainable management of natural resources, and environmental protection. Users can interpret geo-referenced information to predict soil behaviour under different land-use planning scenarios. Municipalities, town planning departments, environmental ministries and academic and research institutions will be able to benefit from this report," he added.
During the Conference, participants will discuss the Abu Dhabi Soil Survey Report and review the classification of soils and land use in an arid environment. Participants will examine advances made in soil salinity mapping, monitoring and land reclamation in degraded irrigated agriculture ecosystems. Participants will review the impacts of using marginal water in agriculture and landscaping. They will also identify research development needs and how to use the newly-developed Soil Survey Database.
Six keynote speakers from Australia, India, Austria, Spain, Thailand, and the USA will be presenting at the Conference. Moreover, 130 speakers representing 35 countries will present technical papers during the Conference's five sessions. The presentations will be on Soil Survey and Classification Strategies and Use in Different Ecological Zones; Advances in Soil Salinity Mapping, Monitoring and Reclamation; Land Use Planning and Policy Implications; Use of Marginal Quality Water in Agriculture and Landscaping and Research and Development/Innovations in Soil Classification & Reclamation.
A workshop on how to use soil survey data in land use planning and policy making will be held on the sidelines of the Conference.
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For Further Information, Please Contact:
Mrs. Sobhia El Masri
Senior Media Relations Coordinator
Environment Awareness Sector
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Tel: +9712 6934637
Mobile: +97150 4450323
Fax: +9712 4464799
Email: selmasri@ead.ae
www.ead.ae
© Press Release 2010
