Canadian Society of Soil Science
Newsletter

February 2000

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The last year of the millennium, what an interesting time! It is time for soil scientists to get recognition. The first suggestion that I have to make is to include 'Soil Scientist' after your name when you sign documents. We should all be proud of the fact that we are soil scientists even though we have diverse professions such as agronomists, foresters, chemists, geographers and so on.

Let's make plans to meet in Winnipeg this summer, David Burton and his group are planning a very interesting program.

There is a significant change in the way that Soil Science will be organized world-wide. The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) will replace the International Society of Soil Science (ISSS). As it stands, soil scientists from Canada will not be allowed to join the IUSS individually, but through the Canadian Society of Soil Science (CSSS). Previously, soil scientists were members of ISSS either through their memberships in CSSS, or through the American Society of Agronomy. There will be a meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, this Spring, to define the structures of the IUSS. You will find in the newsletter the proposed structure. I invite you to communicate with me if you have any opinions on the matter. I will compile and summarize all the information that you send me with so that Christian de Kimpe can represent our position at this meeting. We are fortunate that Christian de Kimpe was involved in the primary work on these structures. You may find the proposed structure in the Bulletin of the IUSS 96: (2) 5-11. It is important that you convey to me your concerns before the middle of March (my deadline).

I had the opportunity to participate in a meeting of the liaison committee on Earth Sciences of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ( NSERC). This committee wishes to develop a vision for Earth Sciences from the survey that some of you have filled this fall. This vision will have a large impact on the re-allocation of funding by NSERC. So any input from members about that matter will be more than welcome. I will try to keep you informed as the process progresses. We should take an hour at the meeting in Winnipeg to carry on the discussion on the Future of Soil Science in Canada. I hope to see a lot of visionaries there, especially among the young (<90) soil scientists.

Our Society Web Site will undergo changes in the future as it will move from its location at the University of Manitoba to be redesigned and managed by our Contractor, Granite Services, which will be in close contact with our registrar Steve Sheppard. We should be grateful to David Burton and the U. of M. for all the time devoted in operating and maintaining our site up to now. This media for access to our Society is very important and we should be up-to-date in the new millennium. I wish you all the success for year 2000. Your contribution in developing the best management practices for our most important resource is of the greatest importance.

MESSAGE DU PRÉSIDENT

La dernière année du millénaire, quelle époque intéressante. C'est le temps pour les Chercheurs en Sol d'être reconnus. La première suggestion qui me vient à l'idée est d'inclure le qualificatif chercheur en sol lorsque nous signons nos documents. Nous devrions être fiers du fait que nous sommes chercheurs en sol même si traditionnellement nous sommes agronomes, ingénieurs forestiers, chimistes, géographes, etc. Nous devons planifier d'assister à notre rencontre annuelle de Winnipeg. Le Dr. David Burton et son équipe sont à nous planifier une rencontre des plus intéressantes.

Des changements importants se pointent quant à l'organisation de la Science du Sol à l'échelle mondiale. Ainsi, l'Union Internationale de la Science du Sol (UISS) remplacera bientôt l'Association Internationale de la Science du Sol (AISS). Dans la structure proposée, les chercheurs en sols canadiens ne seront plus aptes à joindre l'AISS individuellement mais par leur adhésion à la Société Canadienne de la Science du Sol. Précédemment, les chercheurs en sol étaient membres de l'ISSS soit par leur adhésion à la SCSS ou à la Société Américaine d'Agronomie. Il y aura une rencontre à ce sujet ce printemps à Bangkok en Thaïlande afin de définir les structures de l'UISS. Vous pouvez retrouver cette structure dans la présente lettre de nouvelle. Je vous invite donc à communiquer avec moi si vous avez des opinions ou des interrogations/suggestions quant à la structure proposée. J'assemblerai vos suggestions dans un document que je remettrai au Dr. Christian De Kimpe qui assistera à cette rencontre. Nous sommes privilégiés que le Dr. de Kimpe soit impliqué dans le travail d'ébauche de ces structures. Vous pouvez également retrouver la structure proposée dans le Bulletin de l'IUSS 96 :(2) 5-11. Il important que vous me communiquiez vos préoccupations avant la fin de Mars (ma date butoir).

J'ai eu « l'opportunité » de participer à une rencontre du comité de liaison sur les Sciences de la Terre du Conseil de Recherches en Sciences naturelles et Génie du Canada (CRSNG). Ce comité a pour mandat de développer une vision des sciences de la Terre à partir du questionnaire (sondage) que certains d'entre-vous ont complété cet automne. Cette vision aura un impact certain sur la ré-allocation des enveloppes subventionnelles du CRSNG. Les commentaires des membres de la société à ce sujet sont les bienvenus. J'essaierai de vous tenir au courant de la progression du processus. Nous devrions prendre une heure à notre rencontre à Winnipeg afin de poursuivre notre discussion sur le futur de la Science du Sol au Canada. J'espère d'y rencontrer beaucoup de visionnaires, tout spécialement parmi les jeunes (> 90 ans) chercheurs en sol.

Le site WEB de notre Société subira des changements importants dans le futur alors qu'il sera déplacé de son site actuel à l'université du Manitoba pour être re-dessiné et géré par notre mandataire, Granite Services. Cette firme sera en contact étroit avec notre registraire, Steve Sheppard. Nous devons être reconnaissants au Dr David Burton et à l'U. M. pour tout le temps dévoué à opérer et maintenir notre site jusqu'à maintenant. Cette porte d'accès à notre Société est très importante et devrait être à la fine pointe pour le nouveau millénaire. je vous souhaite une année 2000 remplie de succès. Votre contribution à développer des pratiques optimales de gestion est d'une importance capitale à la préservation de cette ressource primordiale.

Would You Like to be Treasurer of CSSS?

The position of CSSS Treasurer will become available after the CSSS Meeting in Winnipeg in July. The position is appointed not elected. If any CSSS member is interested, or wishes to suggest a suitable candidate, please send an e-mail to the CSSS President, Régis Simard.

CSSS Council

CSSS - Online

CSSS Awards

There are three types of CSSS Awards as described below. Nominations must be received by the Chair of the Awards Committee, Gary Kachanoski, by March 15, 2000.

1. CSSS Fellowship

   A Fellow must be a member of 10 years standing with a distinguished record of service in Soil Science. Fully documented nominations are required signed by three sponsors.
   
   

2. CSSS Honorary Membership

   Awarded to non-members who have rendered valuable or special service to Soil Science. Documented nominations are required
   
   

3. CSSS Soil Science in Society Recognition

   Awarded to members and non-members who have made a significant contribution towards public awareness of the importance of Soil Science. Fully documented nominations are required.

Five categories of CSSS awards are available as described below. The number of awards supported depends on available funds. Applications must be received by the Chair of the Awards Committee, Gary Kachanoski, by March 15, 2000.

1. Student Travel to CSSS Annual Meeting

   Available to any graduate student studying in Canada. The student must be prepared to present a paper/poster. Nominations should be sent by student’s Supervisor or Department Chair.
   
   

2. CSSS Conference Travel

   To allow members to participate in conferences, symposia, and workshops within North America. Evidence of invitation and degree of participation are required. A maximum of $500 per award.
   
   

3. CSSS Overseas Travel

   To assist members with travel outside North America. A maximum of $1000 per award.
   
   

4. Visiting Scientist Travel

   To assist members to provide travel assistance for a sponsored, internationally recognized, non-Canadian soil scientist to visit Canada. A maximum of $2000 per award.
   
   

5. Short-term Professional Development for International Soil Scientists

   As part of CSSS international activities (e.g., A.I.C. twinning project), to assist a sponsored soil scientist from a developing country to travel to and within Canada to participate in conferences and/or visit research laboratories and research sites. A maximum of $1500 per award.

New Endeavour for Soil Science Students

Alain Plante our first elected CSSS Student Representative along with Heather Lowen (Top-FOP, U of Alberta), and with the aid of various FOP alumni records provide information about FOP.

Established in the former soils department at the University of Alberta, the ‘Friends of the Pedon’ or F.O.P. represents the ad-hoc graduate student social committee. Our figurehead is Vasilii Dokuchayev, who is attributed to be the father of Pedology and Soil Science. When asked by his graduate supervisor “Tell me, young man, what are you occupied with primarily?” He answered “playing cards and drinking.” To this the supervisor remarked: “Great, continue and do not spoil life with dry [soil] science!”

F.O.P. operates within a simple dogma. Its underlying philosophy is that no problem, however complicated, when looked at in the right way cannot become still more complicated. The sublime goal of this society is to fully apply this principle to the study of soil systems. Anyone is eligible for membership, unless they refuse; fees are zero and decrease at the rate of inflation; and our official organ is the ‘Journal of Little Known or Cared About Facts’, however its publication is far too unreliable.

The singular responsibility of F.O.P. is to ensure that students of soil science maintain some sanity during their studies. To achieve this, a calendar of events has developed over the years and includes some perennial activities such as follows: periodic meetings at the local establishments, Dokuchayev Day (mid-Oct) a beer and chilli cook-off mixer early in the school year to get people to meet and mingle (‘Elections’ of the new executive are also held at this time), Christmas potluck with a visit from Santa, and Valentine’s Bowling - what better way to woo the opposite sex than with rented bowling shoes. In addition, F.O.P. organizes several intramural teams in both winter and summer, such the Dirtbaggers softball team.

The F.O.P. executive consists of a committee of 4 people: Top-FOP, no explanation necessary; Vice-FOP, the member in charges of vices; Jock-FOP, the member in charge of co-ordinating sporting activities; and Super-FOP, member at-large.

Students of soil science across Canada have been swept under various rugs (e.g. Renewable Resources, Land Resource Science, etc.) and it has become increasingly difficult to unite them under a single banner. Well, we propose that F.O.P be that banner and we would like F.O.P. to become a national phenomenon! The proposal is that a chapter of F.O.P. be established at each university or college across Canada that has a department or unit with some emphasis in soil science. This network of chapters would be supported by a website with news and events, photo albums, and an open discussion forum. Hence the call is out to all students (or perma-students) of soil science or related disciplines to unite and form their local chapter of the Friends of the Pedon!

Look for more F.O.P. information and F.O.P. events at the upcoming AIC meetings in Winnipeg, and join us!

More about the International Union Soil Sciences

The ISSS recently became the IUSS. The following are some ideas about re-structuring the IUSS as seen through the eyes of three members of the Executive Council. If you wish to express your opinion or get more information please contact CSSS members Christian DeKimpe (Chair of Commission VIII) or Ahmet Mermut (Chair of Commission V). More information is given in the IUSS Bulletin 1999/2 (No 96): 5-11. Send any comments to the CSSS President, Régis Simard

The Executive Council of IUSS met in October to discuss the new structure for the Union. As you are aware, since the ISSS joined ICSU, it was also felt that the existing structure, which developed over the last 75 years, did not serve appropriately the present needs of soil science in today’s context.

Several proposals were considered. Two of them resulted from previous discussions, whereas the other ones were some variations of the former ones. As a matter of fact, most of those structures would have lead to the status quo. The only difference was that the present Commissions would have become the new Divisions. None of these structures, if adopted, would have served the IUSS in meeting the need of becoming more visible, and to facilitate the interaction among soil scientists and between soil scientists and the rest of the scientific community or the public.

Three members of the Executive Council (C. De Kimpe, Canada, J. Kimble, USA, and S. Nortcliffe, UK) sat together and delineated a schematic structure that would address the following questions:

• Where are soils?
• What are soils?
• Why are they used?
• How to incorporate soil science in present and emerging issues?

Division 1 looks at soil geography, distribution, and general soil characteristics.

Division 2 investigates the basic soil properties: constituents, physical, chemical and biological properties, and how the interaction of these are found in the soil profile

Division 3 looks at several uses of the soil for agricultural production and other applications

Division 4 is concerned with the soil science input in national and international agreements, and in policy matters.

This proposal was examined by the Executive Council who saw merit to the proposal. It clearly showed the scientific aspect of our disciplines, favored interaction within and among the Divisions, and it is also easy to explain to a non soil-science oriented audience. Obviously, there will be a need for refinement in terms of names, number of Commissions,... This will be done to a large extent during the Council meeting in April 2000, in order to get prepared for implementation during the next World Congress of Soil Science in 2002.

This structure will be presented to all members in a forthcoming issue of the IUSS Bulletin. At this time, it is necessary to provide comments and indicate support for the structure so that it can be endorsed.

Ahmet Mermut retires as Editor of the Canadian Journal of Soil Science Ahmet Mermut was editor of Canadian Journal of Soil Science between 1996 and 1999. Dr Mermut was very enthusiastic in opening the Journal to Scientists outside of the country. He has been a great promoter of Canadian Soil Science in Canada and abroad.

The Journal has grown in last three years both in numbers of articles and in quality. For example, the SI impact factor is now at 0.85 which is by far the best of all AIC journals. We should be very grateful to Dr. Mermut about the present status of the Journal. He was very instrumental in publishing peer-reviewed papers from symposia held in Canada. This would have not been possible without the close cooperation from an outstanding group of associate/assistant editors. I will have the honour of replacing Dr. Mermut as editor of our journal for the next three years. This will not be an easy task since the heritage left by Dr. Mermut as editor is very impressive. I strongly rely on you to maintain these high quality standards and, if possible, to further enhance the readership of our Journal. I invite you to communicate with me about any subject that you find meaningful about the Journal. We should always be aware of opinions or comments that may improve its contents.

Régis R. Simard

Andrés Aguilar Santelises

I was saddened to learn from the recent issue of the IUSS Bulletin that Dr. Andrés Aguilar Santelises passed away on November 5, 1999. I had known him since 1990 when we met at the Congress in Kyoto. Although I did not attend the Congress in Mexico in 1994, I understand that Dr. Santelises and his committee did a great job in hosting that international meeting. I participated in the First National Symposium on Plant Nutrition in Queretaro in September 1998. Andres was very kind to me. One day he took me to historic Puebla. I have lost a friend and the world has lost a great soil scientist.

Yash P. Kalra

CSSS 2000

The next CSSS meeting will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on July 15-19, 2000 in combination with AIC, Agri-Food 2000. The CSSS is not involved with the Abstract submissions.

All information is on the Agri-Food 2000 Website:

To Submit an Abstract

1. Go to Agri-Food 2000 Website
2. Complete the abstract form and submit (deadline is March 15th)
3. Student members of CSSS competing for the Bentley Award (best oral presentation) or the President’s Award (best poster) please note the following:

• Indicate on the abstract form (where indicated) that you want to be considered for the Society’s Graduate Student Competition.
• Send an e-mail to the Awards Chair: Gary Kachanoski ( indicating that you are competing for an award.

• The Renewable Resources Department, University of Alberta has a tenure-track position as Associate - Full Professor - Chair in Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture which is available July 1, 2000. For more information contact James Beck, Dep. Renewable Resources. More information see:
• More career opportunities can be obtained at the following: Earthworks ( and AgriCareers ( http://careers.eharvest.com/index.cfm?sitecountry=world)
• Opportunities from Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC) (see web site at 1. International work experience for young agrologists; 2.Canadian scholars, researchers and specialists; 3. New information and communication technologies. For more information, contact AIC International Program Coordinator Tom Beach at iadp@aic.ca or visit the IICA web site at
  
  CSSS - Online See the CSSS web site homepage, for Newsletter, next Annual Meeting, Business Office, Events Page, CSSS ‘99 - Program, Titles and Abstracts, and much more.
  
  Call for Nominations Nominations are requested for President-Elect, and Western Councillor.

  President-Elect (nominations confined to CSSS members in eastern Canada)

  Western Councillor (2-yr term, nominations confined to CSSS members in western Canada)

  As usual, all CSSS members are eligible to vote for all three positions.

  
  
  

  Bentley Award Winners at Charlottetown '99

  
  Congratulations to Andrew Hammermeister (right, 1st prize) Mejda Benali (left, 2nd prize) and Alexander Jokic (centre, 3rd prize).

  Nominations must have the consent of the nominee and be signed by three CSSS members. Send nominations to the CSSS Secretary by April 30, 2000 along with a brief (250 word maximum; via email or diskette) statement prepared by the nominee, containing biographical information and reasons for his/her interest in the position.

  CSSS - Business Office

  The CSSS Business Office: membership concerns, updated CSSS membership list, CJSS journal subscriptions, society publications. Contact Steve Sheppard, CSSS, P.O. Box 637, Pinawa, Manitoba, R0E 1L0, Canada; Telephone: (204) 753-2747; Fax: (204) 753-2170; Email: sheppards@ecomatters.com.

  The Calendar - Forthcoming Meetings

  March 26-30, 2000, International Conference on Soil Dynamics, Adelaide, SA, Australia ( www.unisa.edu.au/icsd-iv/index.htm)

  April 7-8, 2000, Soil, Environment and Human Health, Birmingham, UK. E: j.gauld@mluri.sari.ac.uk

  May 23-27, 2000, Symposium on Soil Mineral-Organic Matter-Microorganisms Interactions and Ecosystem Health, Naples, Italy. Prof. Antonio Violante, T: 39 081 7885317; F: 39 081 7755130; E:

  June 14-16, 2000, Management Information Systems: GIS and Remote Sensing, Lisbon, Portugal.

  June 18-22, 2000, EcoSummit 2000, Understanding and solving environmental problems in the 21st century, Halifax, NS, Canada. July 2-7, 2000, 15th International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO) Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A. Dr John Morrison, T: 1 254 770 6507; F: 1 254 770 6561; E:

  July 10-14, 2000, Symposium on the Role of Erosion and Sediment in Nutrient and Contaminant Transfer, International Association of Hydrological Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada .

  July 12-18, 2000, 1st International Conference on Soils of Urban, Industrial, Traffic and Mining Areas, Essen, Germany.

  July 15-19, 2000, Canadian Society of Soil Science, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

  July 16-22, 2000, 6th International Congress on Applied Mineralogy, Göttingen and Hannover, Germany.

  July 24-28, 2000, 10th International Meeting of the International Humic Substances Society, Toulouse, France. E: Progep@ensigct.fr.

  August 6-17, 2000, International Geological Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  August 13-18, 2000, 4th International Symposium, Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Crops, Penticton, BC, Canada. T: 250 494 7711; F: 250 494 0755; E: Dr. Gerry Neilsen.

  September 10-16, 2000, International Soil Forum 2000, Hannover, Germany.

  September 17-20, 2000, International Conference on Global Land Reclamation/Remediation 2000 and Beyond, Edmonton, AB, Canada. E:

  September 24-26, 2000, 1st Canadian National Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference: Biosolids 2000, Southern Ontario or Ottawa, ON, Canada. E:

  October 16-18, 2000, 2nd International Issues in Environmental Pollution Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal.

  October 18-20, 2000, International Symposium of Microbiology of Composting, Innsbruck, Austria. Prof. Heribert Insam, T: 43 512 507 6009; F: 43 512 507 2928; E:

  October 22-27, 2000, 11th International Soil Conservation Organization Conference (ISCO 2000), Buenos Aries, Argentina.

  October 30 - November 1, 2000, 14th Québec Soil Science Specialist Association meeting (L’Association Québécoise de Spécialistes en Sciences du Sol), University Laval’s Forêt Montmorency, Québec, Canada.

  November 30 - December 1, 2000, International Conference on the Remediation and Management of Degraded Lands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. E:

  December 3-8, 2000, NZSSS/ASSS Soil 2000 Conference, Lincoln, New Zealand.

  July or August, 2001, Canadian Society of Soil Science, Guelph, Ontario. E: August 3-9, 2001, 12th World Fertilizer Congress, Beijing, China. T: 86 24 2391 6261; F: 86 24 2384 3313; E: ;

  August 14-20, 2002, 17th World Congress of Soil Science, Bangkok, Thailand. T: 662 940 5787; F: 662 940 5788; E; ;

  The CSSS Newsletter is published three (Winter, Spring, and Summer) times per year. Contributions from members are welcome. Please send contributions by email (carterm@em.agr.ca) to the Eastern Councillor.

  
  

  
  
  

  CSSS President Regis Simard, at Charlottetown '99 with President Award winner Noura Zaidi (right), and Bentley Award winner Mejda Benali (left).

  
  
  
  
  
  

  New Forest Soils Award established at the University of New Brunswick (from left to right David Maclean, Dean, Forestry and Environmental Science receives cheque from CSSS members Taumey Mahendrappa and Sherif Fahmy).

  
  
  

  Canadian Society of Soil Science P.O. Box 637 Pinawa, Manitoba R0E 1L0 phone: (204) 753-2747 fax: (204) 753-2170 e-mail: SheppardS@ECOMatters.com

  
  
  
  
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