Abu Dhabi: The International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), in collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD),announced the publication of two books on the occasion of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
The books “Developments in Soil Salinity Assessment and Reclamation: Innovative Thinking of Using Marginal Soil and Water Resources in Irrigated Agriculture” and “Developments in Soil Classification, Land Use Planning and Policy Implications: Innovative Thinking of Soil Inventory for Land Use Planning and Management of Land Resource” are the direct outcome of an International Conference on Soil Classification and Reclamation of Degraded Lands in Arid Environments held from May 17 to 19 in 2010 in Abu Dhabi. The conference was jointly organised by the EAD and ICBA.
The objective of the conference was to bring renowned scientists, educators, and policy makers to share and discuss technical themes in broader perspectives and assist the EAD in paving the way forward for future activities in soil and land management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Shabbir Shahid, Salinity Management Scientist at ICBA, Dr. Mahmoud Abdu Fattah, Soil Scientist at the EAD, and Dr Faisal Taha, Former Director of Technical Programmes at ICBA, are the editors of the two books.
Commenting about these books, Dr. Shahid said: “We received overwhelming response to the call for papers, and more than 250 abstracts were received from more than 35 countries. The abstracts were reviewed, and those suitable were accepted for the submission of full manuscripts. The diversity of the conference themes made it necessary to publish these papers into two independent books. The papers submitted all went through rigorous technical review and an iterative review process with authors before finalisation for publication.”
The book, “Developments in Soil Salinity Assessment and Reclamation: Innovative Thinking of Using Marginal Soil and Water Resources in Irrigated Agriculture” has been published in both soft and hard copies. That book contains papers pertaining to technology in soil salinity mapping and monitoring; management and reclamation of salt-affected soils; use of marginal quality water for crop production; salt-tolerance mechanisms in plants; biosaline agriculture and agroforestry; microbiological interventions for marginal soils; opportunities and challenges in using marginal waters, and soil and water management in irrigated agriculture. These topics are presented in eight parts divided into 52 chapters.
The book “Developments in Soil Classification, Land Use Planning and Policy Implications: Innovative Thinking of Soil Inventory for Land Use Planning and Management of Land Resource” is available in soft copy with the hard copy expected to be offered shortly. This volume contains chapters pertaining to soil survey and classification; land use planning and policy implications; new trends in land degradation and desertification; modelling of soil and groundwater contamination, and innovations in research, development, education, and extension. These are presented in five parts divided into 50 chapters.
For enquiries on how to receive copies of these published books,contact ICBA communications team on +971.4.3361100 ext. 256 or by email to c.elkhouri@biosaline.org.ae
