DBG 2025
#HealthySoilsClimateProtection
13 – 18 September 2025
University of Tübingen
Registration
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TOPICS
Commission I (Soil physics and hydrology)
K I with K II, K III, K VI
K – 1.1 Structure, Mechanical Properties, and Functions of Soils
The small-scale structure of soils has a significant influence on essential soil functions. At the same time, soil structure is affected by a variety of biotic, abiotic, and technical processes. This session explores these interactions from various perspectives. Possible topics include: aggregation, soil structure dynamics, carbon storage, microhabitats, soil compaction, tillage, structural stability, and sustainability thresholds.
K I with K III, K VI
K – 1.2 Water, Solute, and Energy Transport
This session addresses classic soil hydrological phenomena such as preferential flow and transport, hydraulic disequilibrium, hydrophobicity, and hydropedology. Contributions are also welcome on all subprocesses of water balance (e.g., evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge) and solute balance (e.g., pesticide and nitrate leaching), as well as on topics related to heat transport and thermodynamics in general.
K I with K III, K VI
K – 1.3 Soil-Plant Interactions
Nutrient and water uptake by roots depends on the structure, water content, and chemical environment in the rhizosphere, which can differ significantly from the properties of the surrounding soil due to the mechanical action of roots and their exudates. This session focuses on these interactions.
K I
K – 1.4 Methods in Soil Process Modelling
Our commission places a strong emphasis on modelling. This session focuses on methodological advancements in this area. Key aspects include parameter estimation, uncertainty analyses, model-data integration, data assimilation, upscaling, and Earth System Models.
K I
K – 1.5 WG 3D-4D Soil Model – 3D-4D Soil Models
A special role in model development is played by the explicit three-dimensional representation and description of soil changes and their impact on landscape-scale models. Possible topics include modelling of bulk density and soil structure, 3D distribution of soil properties, data acquisition and interpolation, pedometric models, digital soil mapping, mechanistic approaches, soil structure models, co-evolution of soil structure and microbiome, landscape development models, and virtual soils.
K I
K – 1.6 Measurement Methods and Open Topics
Measurement methods, both in the field and in the laboratory, are continuously evolving. This session presents new sensors and method comparisons. Additionally, it serves as a forum for other soil physics topics, new practical applications, and more.
Commission II (Soil Chemistry)
K II
K – 2.1 Spatial Processes and Patterns in Soil Chemistry – From Field to Nano Scales
Spatial factors play a significant role in soil chemistry across all scales. Contributions ranging from large-scale to nanoscale contexts are welcome, particularly those aiming to link processes across different scales.
K II
K – 2.2 Organic Matter in Agricultural Soils
Land use and climate change pose major challenges to maintaining or increasing organic matter levels in agricultural soils. This session welcomes contributions on organic matter stocks, stabilization, and destabilization processes.
K II
K – 2.3 Organic Matter in Forest Soils
The Forest Soils Working Group focuses on forest management and climate change—two key challenges for sustainable forestry. Contributions related to forest management, forest damage, and forest restructuring in the context of soil carbon loss, transformation, and accumulation are encouraged.
K II with K III
K – 2.4 Organic Matter-Microbe Interactions
This session, hosted jointly by Commissions II and III, provides a platform for studies exploring the role of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi in the accumulation and decomposition of organic matter.
K II with K III
K – 2.5 Rhizosphere Dynamics
This session offers a space for contributions addressing biochemical processes and observations in the rhizosphere that enhance our understanding of matter cycles.
K II
K – 2.6 Plastics in Soil
Contributions on the accumulation and impacts of plastics in soils are presented in this session. Topics may include effects on matter cycles, soil biology, and soil structure.
K II with K I, K VII
K – 2.7 Organic Contaminants in Soil
Global change continues to drive the accumulation and, under climate change conditions, the remobilization of organic pollutants. Contributions addressing analytical challenges and nano- to landscape-scale considerations are welcome.
Commission III (Soil Biology and Soil Ecology)
K III with K I and Forest Soils Working Group
K – 3.1 Linking biodiversity, biochemical processes and element cycling in a) forest soils and b) agricultural soils
Soils are highly complex and serve as a transfer site for e.g. water, nutrients, organic matter, and greenhouse gases. The wide diversity of soil organisms ranges from bacteria and fungi to earthworms and insects, to name a few. However, knowledge of the complex interactions between matter cycling and soil organisms is limited. We invite contributions that address which actors are involved in this complex interplay, how mobilization and transport processes of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and others are controlled, and which ecological importance these interactions have for soil functioning. The topic will be organized in two parts focusing on a) forest soils and b) agricultural soils (including grassland).
K III with K VI
K – 3.2 Soil Protection and Soil Biology
Soil organisms are key players in various soil functions (e.g., carbon storage, nutrient transformation) while soils themselves serve as habitats for these organisms. This symposium provides a forum for examining the interplay between soil conservation measures (e.g., sustainable farming, soil protection during construction) and improved soil functionality. Contributions focusing on the function and diversity of soil fauna are explicitly welcome. Soil mapping enables insights into the distribution of soil organisms, so contributions from the Soil Systematics Working Group are also encouraged.
K III
K – 3.3 New Approaches and Methods for Monitoring Soil Biodiversity
An active and diverse soil flora and fauna form the basis for many essential soil functions. Monitoring soil biodiversity and assessing changes caused by human activities are crucial for evaluating soil health. However, this field faces challenges such as meeting legal requirements, developing new methods, ensuring comparability of past and future data, and creating harmonized databases. This session will present the latest methodological advancements and discuss their practical applications in monitoring programs.
K III
K – 3.4 Soil organisms and global change
Soil organisms are essential for a multitude of soil functions, including C sequestration and storage, nutrient cycling. This symposium will be a forum for contributions studying the impact of global change (e.g. climate change, fertilization, land use) on function and diversity of soil organisms, but also for research on how the organisms' response may feed back to global change. They will thus significantly contribute to understanding and better predicting soil functions. We particularly welcome contributions addressing the resilience of soils and potential tipping points as well as studies comparing monitoring data with experimental results.
K III with KII and KI
K – 3.5 Bioenergetics of soil systems
Soil organic matter (SOM) is of central importance for the global C cycle and for soil functions. A significant part of SOM is comprised of biomolecules that are the result of microbial metabolism, including microbial biomass components and microbial-processed plant compounds. These transformations are mainly the result of heterotrophic microbes. For their growth and activity, they require both carbon for the synthesis of biomass components and energy delivered by the oxidation of organic matter coupled to the reduction of electron acceptors. Soil systems, their biodiversity and ecosystem services thus depend on the combined mass and energy flows during transformation of organic compounds. Despite initial work within this research area, the energetic perspective for the ecological understanding of soil systems is still underexplored. Information about the SOM energy content and the regulation of the energy and matter flux processes would complete the knowledge of ecosystem control, opening new ways for more process-based understanding and modelling. Bioenergetics and thermodynamics of soil systems may further provide information on the development of sustainable and robust management of soils under climate change. This session invites contributions presenting and discussing recent developments for the integration of thermodynamics in soil systems, including analytical developments as well as conceptual, empirical and modelling approaches.
K III
K – 3.6 Open Topics
For open topics in soil biology and ecology, we invite oral and poster contributions that do not align with the specific themes of other symposia. These may include applications related to soil biology, studies focusing on soil fauna and their interactions, or methodological contributions to soil biology and ecology.
K III
K – 3.7 Function and Dynamics of Humus Forms in a Changing Environment
The humus layer is the most reactive part of forest soils, with a much faster biogeochemical turnover than the mineral soil. Due to its high reactivity and its position as an interface between the aboveground and belowground components of the ecosystem, it responds more strongly and sensitively to climate or management changes in forest ecosystems than mineral soil. Currently, temperate European forests are undergoing significant changes, primarily driven by climate change, eutrophication, and forest management practices. Negative consequences for the function of the humus layer have been documented, potentially affecting the entire forest soil ecosystem. Different humus forms may respond differently to multiple interacting drivers. Nevertheless, humus layers are often insufficiently considered, which means that we are neither able to assess their current functional state nor predict future developments. Furthermore, we lack a clear understanding of their consequences for mineral soils and the overall functioning of forest ecosystems.
With this session, we aim to promote interdisciplinary exchange on the causal relationships between controlling factors, properties, and functions of humus layers and humus forms. Our goal is to highlight the vulnerability of the humus layer to climate change and to identify biological, chemical, morphological, and physical soil properties that can serve as indicators of forest soil health. We encourage contributions that integrate interdisciplinary approaches to develop a holistic understanding of humus layer functions across different spatial scales, from the microscale and soil profile level to the landscape scale.
Commission IV (Soil fertility and plant nutrition)
K IV
K – 4.1 Strategies to minimize undesirable nutrient losses, optimize nutrient availability, and close nutrient cycles
Rising energy prices and the resulting increases in the cost of mineral fertilizers have highlighted the importance of closing nutrient cycles to achieve greater independence from imported mineral fertilizers. Furthermore, closing nutrient cycles ideally reduces undesirable nutrient losses. Effective nutrient recycling, organic fertilizers, optimized fertilization strategies, alternative cropping systems, and biostimulants aimed at improving nutrient availability are potential strategies to achieve this goal. Nitrogen and phosphorus are currently in focus, as their unwanted losses contribute to the eutrophication of water bodies and groundwater contamination. At the same time, recycling strategies, particularly for phosphorus, are being developed. Concepts for closing nutrient cycles require a holistic approach that considers all plant nutrients, as well as potential pollutant inputs and pathogens. We welcome contributions that address specific nutrients or the entire system and help develop comprehensive and safe agricultural practices.
K IV
K – 4.2 Methods for studying soil-plant interactions
Efforts to improve nutrient efficiency in plant nutrition and thereby reduce unproductive losses to the environment employ a wide range of methods, spanning disciplines from plant genetics to root-zone sensors, field experiments, and agroecosystem models. The goal of all these methods is to gain a better understanding of how plants acquire water and nutrients and how this acquisition can be positively influenced. We invite contributions reporting on rhizosphere research, introducing extraction methods, presenting innovative field trials, or applying simulation models to test hypotheses or scale processes. We are particularly interested in contributions that highlight the practical benefits of methodological innovations for the sustainable management of natural resources.
K IV with WG Soil Gases
K – 4.3 Soils: Sinks or sources of greenhouse gases and other biogenic gases?
Our soils are significant reservoirs of organic carbon and nitrogen. Depending on climate and land-use changes, they can act as both sources and sinks for carbon- and nitrogen-containing greenhouse gases (CO2, N2O) and other biogenic gases. Agricultural soil management, including the application of mineral and organic fertilizers, can significantly influence emission levels. Indirect greenhouse gas emissions, such as reactive nitrogen compounds (NH3, NOx, etc.), should also be considered when evaluating the source and sink functions of soils. To reduce emissions, it is crucial to understand and quantify the underlying processes and their high spatial and temporal variability. We therefore welcome contributions from laboratory to field scale, as well as modelling results for mineral soils.
K IV
K – 4.4 Future vision for organic soils: Innovative strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve climate-neutral peatland use in Germany
In 2021, organic soils caused greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to around 54 million tons of CO2, contributing 7% of Germany’s total national emissions. The majority of these emissions are due to the agricultural and forestry use of drained organic soils. This session will focus on recent developments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through proven methods (e.g., rewetting) and innovative land-use practices (e.g., paludiculture, peatland photovoltaics, agroforestry on peatlands, etc.) on rewetted organic soils. Topics may also include the adaptability and resilience of these practices to predicted climate changes. The session covers all aspects of greenhouse gas fluxes, from small-scale process-oriented questions to regional and application-oriented field studies on organic soils.
Commission V (Soil Genetics, Soil Systematics, Soil Information)
K V with WG Soil Systematics
K – 5.1 Soil Description, Soil and Substrate Systematics
Soil systematics, along with horizon symbolism, has been structurally revised and expanded to include additional soil types. The substrate systematics have also been revised, supplemented, and presented in a new format. These changes will be presented and discussed. Contributions on the international soil classification WRB are also welcome. In addition, we encourage submissions on the potential further development of soil systematics. Finally, the session will address how soil and substrate systematics can serve as a foundation for generalizing soil knowledge.
K V with WG Soil Systematics
K – 5.2 Soil Genetics
Contributions on soil genesis and regional soil science.
K V with WG Soil Systematics
K – 5.3 Soil Mapping
Contributions on methods in soil mapping for different scales and subject areas.
K V with WG Soil Systematics
K – 5.4 Soil Information
Utilization and evaluation of digital soil information for pedological assessment methods, development of new evaluation methods.
K V with WG Soil Systematics
K – 5.5 Soil Sensing and Pedometrics
Proximal and Remote Sensing, multisensor concepts, and data fusion, Digital Soil Mapping.
K V with WG Urban Soils
K – 5.6 Urban Soils
With the enactment of the revised Soil Protection Ordinance (under the framework of the MantelV) and the publication of the new edition of the Soil Mapping Manual (KA6) in 2023, significant changes have been made in soil mapping and evaluation in urban areas. These include current developments and planning regarding soil mapping, soil genesis, assessment of soil functions, and soil protection during construction. Contributions from both science and practice will be presented in this session, offering an overview of the current state of knowledge on these topics.
K V, WG Soil Assessment and Valuation
K – 5.7 Soil Valuation
This session of the WG will address the fundamentals and practical implementation of soil valuation, its use in land consolidation and precision farming, the analysis of soil valuation data for deriving soil properties and functions (thematic analysis, method documentation, data management, quality assurance, accompanying studies on soil valuation data), the application of assessment methods for soil protection enforcement, the evaluation of soil properties and functions without soil valuation data, and methods for soil and site evaluation.
K V, WG Soil and Archaeology / WG Paleopedology
K – 5.8 Soil and Archaeology
Current work in the fields of geoarchaeology and paleopedology related to the dating and stratification of pedogenic processes.
Commission VI (Soil Protection and Soil Technology)
K VI
K – 6.1 Soil Protection and Land Management
The close links between soil protection and land management can be highlighted by the following topics: fertilization, erosion, agricultural technology, organic farming, forest management, and climate change. Contributions on these and related topics are welcome in this session.
K VI
K – 6.2 Material Soil Protection
The broad field of material soil contamination with ever-new problematic substance groups remains a focal point in public perception. Science, administration, and media presence are closely intertwined in this area. Contributions on this topic, as well as on other open subjects, are welcome in this session.
K VI
K – 6.3 Soil Protection and Construction Measures in the Planning and Implementation Phase
Large infrastructure projects, often related to the energy transition, along with over three years of experience with DIN 19639 (soil protection in planning and execution of construction projects), as well as current scientific studies on soil protection during construction, are topics that this symposium aims to address with presentations and a panel discussion.
K VI with K IV
K – 6.4 Soils in Climate Change
The already experienced and even more strongly predicted impacts of climate change in Germany pose significant risks at the intersection of soils and land management: decline in yields, leading to uncertain organic matter supply to soils, humus losses directly due to warming, increased erosion risk from heavy rainfall, and the entire complex of local and regional water management, along with related local climates. In this session, practical approaches to land management and landscape design will be combined with current research results and models, and different development pathways will be explored.
K VI
K – 6.5 Open Topics
Contributions to open topics in soil protection and soil technology are welcome in this session.
Commission VII (Soil Mineralogy)
K VII
K – 7.1 Characterization and Quantification of Soil Minerals
Soil minerals make up more than 50% of most soils, shape the material properties of the sites, and provide information about developmental stages. We warmly welcome submissions that focus on the characterization and quantification of soil minerals, regardless of the scale.
K VII
K – 7.2 Reactivity of Soil Minerals
Due to their small particle sizes and charge properties, many minerals in the clay fraction possess colloidal properties and are involved in various reactions in the soil. Reactants can include water, nutrients, as well as inorganic and organic pollutants. This session will shine a spotlight on the reactivity of the mineral phase in the soil.
K VII
K – 7.3 Minerals in the (Soil) Environment
Soils are exposed to numerous additives or contaminated by foreign substances, some of which can be of mineral nature. Studies on the effects of these mineral materials on the soil are invited, as well as studies on natural soil minerals and their impact on the environment.
K VII with KII
K – 7.4 Mineral-Organic Interactions
This session focuses on contributions regarding reactions between soil minerals and organic material. Binding mechanisms, energy transfers, fractionation through sorption, and new spectroscopic methods are of interest. In particular, the role of the mineral phase in the storage of organic soil matter will be highlighted.
Commission VIII (Soil in Education and Society)
K VIII
K – 8.1 Promoting Relationship and Awareness of Soil: Approaches and Experiences
In this symposium, participants are invited to compile as complete a picture as possible of previous soil communication efforts in media work, adult education, and art. Experiences with different types of addressing people and target groups, as well as dialogue and process formats, should be presented and discussed. Reflection is encouraged on how people's attitudes and behaviours are influenced and which models of impact are applied by the project leaders.
K VIII
K – 8.2 Soil Education in Schools and Extracurricular Education
This session will focus on the theory and practical implementation of teaching or educational plans related to soil in various federal states. The state and development of educational materials should be reflected upon, and any gaps in their provision or use should be discussed. Works on soil education in school gardens and the incorporation of non-school learning environments into teaching practice are welcome. Contributions from environmental education and experiential education, where soil plays a role, will also be invited.
K VIII with WG History of Soil Science
K – 8.3 History of Soil Science
Contributions are invited that reflect on the work and life of soil scientists under various historical circumstances. Presentations on the development of specific soil science approaches and schools, past and present, are also welcome. Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary contributions are particularly encouraged.
K VIII
K – 8.4 Open Topics
Contributions are invited in the areas of monetizing soil properties and functions, as well as non-monetary appreciation of the same. Contributions from agriculture and horticulture that address interactions with neighbours and society, and what these mean for the soil, are also welcome.
FAIRagro - FAIR and Legally Secure Research Data Management for Soil Science
To address the complex challenges posed by climate change and the biodiversity crisis to society and agriculture, connected and efficient agricultural and soil research is essential. At the heart of scientific work is the "gold" of scientists – research data. To secure this treasure legally, unlock its full potential, and facilitate collaborative work, agricultural and soil research data must be discoverable, accessible, interoperable, and easily reusable for colleagues in the field. A sound research data management (RDM) based on these FAIR principles is therefore central to connected agricultural research.
This session includes training and workshop elements and is aimed at researchers of all qualifications in the field of soil science. The goal is to develop an understanding of how research data should be processed, how data publication works, and how research data can be found and legally reused. A team of Data Stewards and RDM trainers will present the research data lifecycle, from grant applications, including the data management plan, to legally compliant sampling – even abroad – to the successful management and publication of soil data treasures, and will be available to answer any questions related to RDM. We will highlight the advantages of efficient RDM for individual research practices, discuss challenges faced by participants in their daily work, and present solutions, useful tools, and best practices.
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