use of waste materials to improve soil fertility and increase crop quality and quantity

1Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy 2 Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 307 M.B. Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA 3Departamento de Edafoloxia e Quimica Agŕicola, Escola Politecnica Superior, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Universitario, Lugo, Spain 4Oficiul Pentru Studii Pedologice si Agrochimice Cluj, Street Fagului 1, Cluj-Napoca, Judetul Cluj, Romani

A global perspective on soil science education at third educational level; knowledge, practice, skills and challenges

The pivotal role of soil as a resource is not fully appreciated by the general public. Improving education in soil science represents a challenge in a world where soil resources are under serious threat. Today’s high school students, the world’s future landowners, agriculturalists, and decision makers, have the potential to change society’s apathy towards soils issues. This research aimed to compare the level of soil education in high and/or secondary schools in forty-three countries worldwide, together comprising 62% of the world's population. Comparisons were made between soil science content discussed in educationally appropriate textbooks via a newly proposed soil information coefficient (SIC). Interviews with teachers were undertaken to better understand how soil science education is implemented in the classroom. Statistical analyses were investigated using clustering. Results showed that gaps in soil science education were most commonly observed in countries where soil science is a non-compulsory or optional subject. Soil science concepts are predominantly a part of geography or environmental science curricula. Consequently, considerable variability in soil science education systems among investigated countries exists. Soil information coefficient‘s outcomes demonstrated that a methodological approach combining textbooks and the use of modern digitally based strategies in the educational process significantly improved soil education performances. Overall, soil science education is under-represented in schools worldwide. Dynamic new approaches are needed to improve pivotal issues such as: i) promoting collaborations and agreements between high school and universities; ii) encouraging workshops and practical exercises such as field activities; and, iii) implementing technology tools. This, in turn, will prepare the next generation to contribute meaningfully towards solving present and future soil problems

STRATEGIA ŞI POLITICILE UNIUNII EUROPENE CU PRIVIRE LA PROTECŢIA SOLULUI

EUROPEAN UNION STRATEGY AND POLICIES CONCERNING SOIL PROTECTION European environment policy has evolved significantly since the 1970s. It has given the EU health of soil and cleaner air and soil a better understanding of our dependence on a good environment. It is one of the policy areas most supported by EU citizen who recognize that environmental problems go beyond national and regional borders and can only be solved through concerted action at EU and international level. From an initial focus on single pollutants and impacts, with the emphasis on understanding and addressing the pressure on the environment and examining the effects of different policies and behavior patterns. Soil is essentially a non-renewable resource and a very dynamic system which performs many functions and delivers services vital to human activities and ecosystems survival. Information available suggests that, over decades, there has been a significant increase of soil degradation processes, and is evidence that they will further increase if no action is taken