Collaboration Leads to Joint Publication of Important Addition to The Technical Literature of Ecologyy

On the occasion of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announces the publication of two books titled “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”.

The two published books are a direct outcome of an International Conference on Soil Classification and Reclamation of Degraded Lands in Arid Environments held 17–19 May 2010 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. EAD and ICBA jointly organized the conference. 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 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 Abdelfattah, Soil Scientist at EAD, and Dr Faisal Taha, Former Director of Technical Programs 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 over 250 abstracts were received from over 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 finalization for publication.”

The first 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 second 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; modeling of soil and groundwater contamination, and innovations in research, development, education, and extension. These are presented in five parts divided into 50 chapters.

Dr. Shahid added, “I wish to thank the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, represented by its Secretary General, Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al-Mubarak, and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, represented by its Director General, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, for their commitment and respective endeavors to ensure the success of the conference and subsequent publication of its proceedings.”

For enquiries on how to receive copies of these published books, please contact ICBA communications team on +971.4.3361100 ext. 256 or by email to c.elkhouri@biosaline.org.ae.