Next Global Soil Biodiversity Conference returns to the Netherlands

The Global Soil Biodiversity Conference is coming back to the Netherlands in 2029. The upcoming edition will be hosted by the National Centre for Soil Ecology (NCSE) in Leeuwarden. NIOO's Ciska Veen will chair the conference.

Soil biodiversity is one of the least visible, yet most fundamental dimensions of life on Earth. At the same time, soil biodiversity is increasingly relevant to some of the most urgent global challenges: land degradation, biodiversity loss, climate change, food system resilience, water regulation and ecosystem restoration. 

Despite major scientific advances, much of soil biodiversity remains undescribed, poorly monitored and insufficiently integrated into ecological theory, land management and policy. "Therefore, we aim to organise the GSB 2029 conference around the central theme ‘From fundamental insights to application’" Ciska Veen explains. "There will be sessions to exchange the newest scientific developments, as well as field visits and workshops to foster dialogue between scientists, policy makers and practitioners".

The 5th Global Soil Biodiversity Conference in Leeuwarden will bring together the international scientific community to exchange new knowledge, discuss emerging concepts and strengthen collaboration across the full breadth of soil biodiversity research. The conference will provide a platform for fundamental and applied research on soil organisms, soil communities, belowground interactions, food webs, ecosystem functioning, biogeochemistry, responses to global change, monitoring approaches and the role of soil biodiversity in sustaining living ecosystems.

Returning to its roots

It was in the Netherlands (Wageningen), in 2011 that the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative was established, bringing together an international community of scientists committed to advancing the recognition, understanding, and protection of soil biodiversity. The vision established at that first meeting has since grown into a global community spanning research, monitoring, policy, and practice.

The NCSE that is hosting this conference is a grass roots organization connecting over 200 soil ecologists in the Netherlands and involving all major universities and research institutions working on soil ecology. "With that the Netherlands is a true hub for soil ecology and also the place where the GSBI was founded!" says Veen. "Therefore, we are proud and happy that GSB is coming to the Netherlands".