SmartSOIL: Sustainable soil management aimed at reducing threats to soils under climate change

Farming practices that lead to declining returns and inputs of carbon (C) to soils pose a threat to soil health and ecosystem services that soils deliver. In the SmartSOIL project, an innovative approach using the soil C flow and stocks concept has been used to assess the impact of C management on crop productivity, soil organic C stocks and other ecosystem services. The project has developed a decision support toolbox to enable farmers, advisors and policy makers to discuss and select the most appropriate and cost-effective practices for different farming systems and regions in Europe.

The final conference of the SmartSOIL project is structured in two parts, and we welcome attendance for one or both parts of the programme:

1. The morning session (9:30 – 14:10) will highlight the key messages on the impact of soil management practices on crop productivity, soil organic C stocks and other ecosystem services. Moreover, the SmartSOIL decision support toolbox for farmers, advisors and policy makers will be introduced and demonstrated.
2. The afternoon session (14:10 – 17:20) will offer a forum to discuss project implications for policy and practitioners, including innovative approaches and policy options for promoting beneficial management practices.

The provisional conference programme is available here. Further information on the conference, registration, logistics and accommodation can also be found on the project website.

This 1-day conference is free of charge and offers opportunities for exchange and networking for up to 100 participants from all over Europe. The event will bring together representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament, farmer unions and advisory services, NGOs, Member States and regional authorities, as well as researchers.

Please confirm your participation by registering by 15 August 2015 at the following link: http://registration.ecologic-events.eu/smartsoil-registration-form

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact: smartsoil-conference@ecologic-events.eu