International Scientists Address Common Issues in Black Soil Protection
Global scientists address shared challenges in preserving black soil
TroibNews 
Two years have elapsed since the implementation of the black soil protection law in China. This legislation was designed to rejuvenate fertile ground that suffered from years of over-farming and excessive use of fertilizers. CGTN recently visited Jilin Province, a key agricultural hub in northeast China, to explore how scientists are working internationally to promote sustainable black soil practices.
Recognized as the planet's most fertile carbon-rich soil type, black soil covers vast areas in northeastern China. The Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, located in this region, has been leading initiatives focused on black soil conservation and effective utilization.
Li Lujun, vice president of the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), emphasized the importance of localized research, stating, "Considering the vastness of the northeast grain production region, soil conditions can vary from place to place. The most important task before anything else is to obtain the soil data and profiles through monitoring and evaluation."
The significance of black soil extends beyond agriculture; it is integral to food security, ecosystem stability, and climate change mitigation. The Chinese Communist Party's latest plenum highlighted modernization efforts that prioritize environmental harmony.
Efforts following the 2022 law include promoting conservation tillage, increasing organic fertilizer use, and introducing rotations of maize and soybean to better preserve black soil. Internationally, these strategies are being noticed and lauded by experts.
During a visit to Jilin, Professor Michael Thompson, president of the Soil Science Society of America, remarked on the cross-cultural scientific collaboration, "While I was here in Jilin Province, I've taken a lot of photos so that I can show my students black soil in China, and I can say, 'Look, it is very similar to our rigor, we are all in this together.' And, in fact, the Soil Science Society of America and the soil science societies in China have been working together for the last several years to make sure that communication between the scientists is going on all the time."
A global conference on black soil management and conservation convened in Changchun City, aimed at sharing global insights and cutting-edge approaches to black soil conservation.
Jiang Ming, president of the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology under the CAS, highlighted the conference's worldwide attention, saying, "I think the reason why the conference has received widespread attention from international scientists is that we've demonstrated our competence in various applications and technologies for black soil conservation in the past few years. And we want scientists from other countries not just be told but see the development with their own eyes so that the solutions can be replicated worldwide."
According to Prof. Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO regional office for East Asian, these conversations align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
By 2025, China intends to enhance the organic content of nearly 7 million hectares of black soil by 10 percent. The country is also eager to create collaborative platforms for nations with black soil to foster regional development, environmental conservation, and food security.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
Recognized as the planet's most fertile carbon-rich soil type, black soil covers vast areas in northeastern China. The Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, located in this region, has been leading initiatives focused on black soil conservation and effective utilization.
Li Lujun, vice president of the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), emphasized the importance of localized research, stating, "Considering the vastness of the northeast grain production region, soil conditions can vary from place to place. The most important task before anything else is to obtain the soil data and profiles through monitoring and evaluation."
The significance of black soil extends beyond agriculture; it is integral to food security, ecosystem stability, and climate change mitigation. The Chinese Communist Party's latest plenum highlighted modernization efforts that prioritize environmental harmony.
Efforts following the 2022 law include promoting conservation tillage, increasing organic fertilizer use, and introducing rotations of maize and soybean to better preserve black soil. Internationally, these strategies are being noticed and lauded by experts.
During a visit to Jilin, Professor Michael Thompson, president of the Soil Science Society of America, remarked on the cross-cultural scientific collaboration, "While I was here in Jilin Province, I've taken a lot of photos so that I can show my students black soil in China, and I can say, 'Look, it is very similar to our rigor, we are all in this together.' And, in fact, the Soil Science Society of America and the soil science societies in China have been working together for the last several years to make sure that communication between the scientists is going on all the time."
A global conference on black soil management and conservation convened in Changchun City, aimed at sharing global insights and cutting-edge approaches to black soil conservation.
Jiang Ming, president of the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology under the CAS, highlighted the conference's worldwide attention, saying, "I think the reason why the conference has received widespread attention from international scientists is that we've demonstrated our competence in various applications and technologies for black soil conservation in the past few years. And we want scientists from other countries not just be told but see the development with their own eyes so that the solutions can be replicated worldwide."
According to Prof. Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO regional office for East Asian, these conversations align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
By 2025, China intends to enhance the organic content of nearly 7 million hectares of black soil by 10 percent. The country is also eager to create collaborative platforms for nations with black soil to foster regional development, environmental conservation, and food security.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
