Announcements

ISMC travel support for ISMC Conference in Rio de Janeiro

ISMC will provide travel support for early career researchers (ECR) in a total of 2000 €, whereby we expect to support 3-5 ECR. Total funding will then be splitted amongst applicants. Application for travel support should be submitted to ismc@soil-modeling.org until 1 May containing a short CV and max 1 page of motivation. Decision on travel support will be made until 12 of May. Supported ECR have to submit an abstract to the conference. 

1st meeting of the WG  Soil pollutant transport and fate modelling

The 1st meeting of the Soil pollutant transport and fate modelling took place on 10th of March 2026. During the working group meeting we had a presentation by Giuseppe Brunetti from University of Calabria entitled “Modeling the fate of contaminants in the soil-plant continuum”. This presentation was recorded and can be found on the ISMC YouTube channel. Additionally,  Steven Droge and Michael Deligiannis from Wageningen University presented their work “SOILPROM lab data collection and modelling of sorption behaviour of ionizable pollutants ”

Webinar on Soil Structure 

The working group Pedotransfer functions and land-surface parameterization had a webinar on 16 of March 2026 with three presentations on soil structure by Nick Jarvis from SLU, Efstathios (Statis) Diamantopoulos from University Bayreuth, and John Köstel from Agroscope. All presentations are now available on the ISMC YouTube channel.

PhD course in Soil Physics from Aarhus University, Denmark 

This course will present accepted and emerging concepts of key processes of water flow in unsaturated porous media. These concepts will be presented together with standard and novel methods to make the measurements necessary to describe these processes. The focus of the course is the need for a unified treatment of measurement and modelling in quantitative soil physics. Specifically, we will discuss how advancements in our understanding of soil physics should guide the design of measurement and monitoring efforts. Similarly, we will discuss how the interpretation of measurements made with emerging indirect methods should be made in the context of the soil physical model of interest. Attendance will be granted with 5 ECTS credits.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to understand, measure and analyze data on Soil water retention from ovendry to water saturated; Saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in soils; Gas diffusion in soil (gas diffusivity data); Gas advection in soil (air permeability data); Leaching of solutes, colloids, and nutrients in soil; Soil water repellency in soils and Understand the principles of near infrared spectroscopy; Understand modelling theory; Do modelling of solute transport in Hydrus; Perform coupled hydro geophysical analysis; Perform measurement and modeling integration; Investigate the value of data, and Do decision support

The course will be provided by the Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark and more details can be found here. Deadline for the registration is May 31 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact:Friederike Malisch-Johnigk: malish-johnigk@agro.au.dk, PhD Course responsibles: Tenure track assistant professor Trine Nørgaard: trine.norgaard@agro.au.dk and  professor Lis Wollesen de Jonge: lis.w.de.jonge@agro.au.dk

A Great debate on at EGU:

Overlooked in models?: The dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems and their coupled feedbacks on hydrology, biogeochemistry and geomorphology

Monday 4 May from 10.45-12.30

Earth system models and associated finer resolution models are key tools for the simulation of the feedbacks and linkages between soil, hydrological, geomorphological, and ecosystem processes, and to simulate the water and energy balance and their interactions at different scales. However, there are important coupled feedbacks on the scale of years to decades missing in many terrestrial ecosystem models. For example, water cycle patterns affect soil carbon stocks and microbial community structures, which in turn affects the hydraulic and ecophysiological response of the soil. Soil organic carbon fraction is a key determining factor for soil porosity and water holding capacity that drives soil moisture dynamics in hydrological models, and the soil moisture, in turn, drives soil organic carbon decomposition rates – creating a dynamic feedback that is often ignored in models. Another example is the coupling and feedback between hydrology and geomorphology in processes such as soil erosion and landslides and related vegetation patterns. Landscapes change and adapt to atmospheric forcing, changing climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities, leading to a changed hydrological behavior of the earth surface. These dynamics are not included in the larger scale hydrological models, nor discussed as critical. As such soil (eco)systems are often considered static in models of freshwater stocks and fluxes at catchment to global scales, and important interactions over time scales as short as a year or a decade are overlooked. While no model can include all processes, ongoing developments in computation and earth system science urge us to continue to press the boundary of model development and to include important feedback processes.

This session will contribute to the lively debate on which processes and stocks in the terrestrial ecosystem need to be included in modeling efforts that aim to increase our understanding of the coupled atmospheric-terrestrial water cycle. On the one hand this session aims to raise awareness of the importance of these feedbacks and that soil is more than a parameter that can be considered static for models that are run for several decades, and on the other hand provide a dialogue between contrasting opinions on what is important to include in models and what can be left out. In other words, the session will provide a platform to discuss when we need a detailed representation of soil-related feedback processes and when we can simplify these? This debate is necessary to create trustworthy model outcomes and prevent a false sense of security where we think that we know what is going on in reality.

2026 Pan-GLASS Conference

The GEWEX Global Land-Atmosphere System Studies Panel (GLASS) will hold its first Pan-GLASS Conference “Back to the Drawing Board: From Fundamentals to Improved Models of the Coupled Land-Atmosphere System” (Pan-GLASS 2026). This conference is organized and performed by the Institute of Physics and Meteorology of the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany, and the GLASS Panel with support of the International GEWEX Project Office and will take place in Stuttgart from 06-09 July 2026.

Pan-GLASS 2026 will bring together experts on earth system and weather research, soil and vegetation processes, surface fluxes, planetary boundary layer transport processes, clouds and precipitation, and machine learning. At the conference, observationalists, theoreticians, and modelers will join to discuss the key issues of land-atmosphere science. The program will include all aspects and methods of modeling and observing land-atmosphere interactions across different temporal-spatial scales: e.g., from diurnal to decadal; from ground-based measurements to satellite data; from large-eddy simulations to global earth system models. The topical areas will cover a wide spectrum from process understanding to parametrization development such as surface fluxes and their driving variables, the effects of land surface heterogeneity, evapotranspiration and entrainment, cloud and precipitation feedbacks; advanced observations including data processing and quality control; and idealized modeling to operational forecasting from subseasonal to seasonal, and prediction from seasonal to decadal and century and even longer timescales. The key objectives of this conference are to connect the land-atmosphere interactions community as well as to achieve progress in the understanding and modeling of the land-atmosphere system, to coordinate current international initiatives and make plans for the future. More information can be found here.

Session  “Complexity in Living and Agroecological Systems” as part of the International Workshop on Complex Systems and Applications (IWCSA 2026)

The aim of the session is to bring together contributions that explore complexity-based approaches to living and agroecological systems, including topics such as non-linear dynamics, complex adaptive systems, networks, scaling laws, and cross-scale interactions. We are particularly interested in work linking theoretical developments with applications in ecology, agriculture, livestock systems and broader socio-ecological systems related to sustainability and resilience. 

Contributions to the following topics are welcome

• soil–plant–microbiome interactions
• ecological and agroecosystem dynamics
• modelling and data-driven approaches to complex systems
• resilience, adaptation and sustainability in managed ecosystems
• multi-scale interactions from soils and microorganisms to farms and landscapes

A Special Issue or edited volume based on selected papers from the session is envisioned. More information can be found here

Data management and modelling: A model-based assessment of sustainable management practices in agricultural soils

A 5-day workshop on campus Ultuna, Uppsala, Sweden from 15th – 29th May 2026,

Soils are complex systems where physical, chemical and biological processes occur simultaneously. To understand and evaluate the behavior of the soil system in response to external influences such as climate change or management practices, process-oriented models have become indispensable tools, especially for future predictions. Advances in technology and database development have reduced the runtime of simulations, allowing the evaluation of long-term scenarios using models linked to large databases. However, this often increases the size and complexity of input data and model outputs. Finding the right tools to help organize this data has become key to modelling studies, regardless of the model and scale of interest. Considering that knowledge and skills in data management are a prerequisite for researchers, this workshop will provide tools and examples on how to organize datasets and link them to two process-oriented models for agricultural (and grassland) soils.

Course content

The aim of this course is to (i) introduce working with the database system PostgreSQL, (ii) apply the database-driven process-oriented models CNP and CANDY using an example dataset and visualize the outcomes using the R software, (iii) develop different agricultural management scenarios for simulations and (iv) evaluate simulation results from a process and soil systems perspective.

The course consists of three parts (participation is compulsory):

1) A preparatory online meeting on 15th May 2026, 10:00 – 12:00, during which we will review each participant's experience and set the framework for the upcoming workshop. In addition, the software necessary for participation will be installed together in order to avoid system errors during the actual workshop.

2) An online paper discussion on 22nd May 2026, 10:00 – 12:00, during which we will discuss modelling-related issues, such as parameterization, calibration, and validation in small groups and with the whole class.

3) An in-person workshop on campus Ultuna (Uppsala, Sweden) from 25th to 29th May 2026 with the participation of experts in this particular research area (see below). This will culminate in a wrap-up session on the final day of the workshop, where students will give an oral presentation of the case studies they worked on during the course.

Requirements

Participants are expected to bring and work on their own laptops. Basic knowledge of soil science and soil processes is a prerequisite. The course will be held in English.

Costs

The course is free of charge for all participants. Costs for travel and accommodation must be covered by each participant. During the course, coffee and tea will be provided. Lunch and snacks ca be purchased at one of Ultuna´s restaurants.

Confirmed lecturers

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katharina Meurer (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences – SLU,
Uppsala, Sweden)
• Dr. habil. Uwe Franko (Halle (Saale))
• Dr. Eric Bönecke (Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops – IGZ,
Grossbeeren, Germany)
• Lukas Hey (NUW – RPTU, Landau (Pfalz), Germany)

Contact for applications: Dr. Katharina Meurer, katharina.meurer@slu.se, +46 18672463
Deadline for applications: 1st May 2026
Maximum number of participants: 20 PhD course, 3 ECTS

Featured Paper

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Please share your recent paper if you want to be featured in the ISMC newsletter. With your contributions, we will select one paper to be featured in every newsletter. Submission can be done here. 

Ubiquity and Causes of Soil Water Preferential Flow Across 17 Ecoregions

Preferential flow (PF) in soil causes the rapid transport of water, nutrients, and contaminants into the subsurface, influencing groundwater recharge and streamflow. Data scarcity has hindered the quantification of PF occurrence and the identification of its drivers across diverse ecoregions. We address this gap by analyzing high-frequency, multi-depth soil moisture data across 17 ecoregions in the USA, using ∼1,500 sensors at 40 sites. We discovered that PF is widespread, with sites experiencing PF in up to 60% of rainfall events ≥2 mm. Multiple approaches consistently show that PF is more likely to occur with increased peak rainfall intensity, finer textured material, low soil moisture variability, humid climate, and higher net primary productivity. This suggests that PF patterns could shift with projected climate changes, increasing uncertainty in predictions of groundwater recharge, water quality, and streamflow generation. More information can be found here.

Tropical Soil Hydrology, Pedotransfer Functions, and Soil Modelling from Local to National Scale in Brazilian Soils

Please tell us briefly about yourself and your research interest.

I am a soil hydrology researcher at the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB), working in the Department of Hydrology. My research focuses on soil hydraulic properties, pedotransfer functions, and soil–water processes in tropical soils, particularly highly weathered Brazilian soils. I am currently working on updating hydrophysical databases across the Brazilian territory, aiming to better represent the country’s soil and climate diversity and to incorporate as much soil information as possible to improve the understanding of the specificities of tropical soils. I also participate in field experiments, laboratory measurements, and modelling approaches to improve predictions of water retention, hydraulic conductivity, and soil–plant–atmosphere interactions across scales. My professional career also includes social engagement activities. I seek to integrate people with special needs into my team, providing opportunities for professional development while enriching the team with diverse life experiences, promoting respect and inclusion. I am also involved, at an early stage, in the development of educational booklets on soil and water topics for elementary school students, aiming to disseminate geoscientific knowledge.

How did you first become interested in soil modelling and learn about ISMC?

My interest in soil modelling started during my work with soil hydraulic characterization and parameter estimation, when I realized that modelling is essential to scale point measurements to landscape and regional applications. In addition, at the beginning of my career, I noticed that in hydrology, which is my academic background, soils were often treated as poorly characterized environments. This led many hydrological modelling approaches to adopt incorrect assumptions for soil processes. Through collaborations with international researchers and work on pedotransfer functions and hydraulic modelling, I became familiar with the activities of the International Soil Modeling Consortium (ISMC). The consortium represents a unique platform connecting experimentalists, modellers, and data scientists, which strongly aligns with my research approach.

Can you share with us your current research focus?

My current research focuses on developing and applying soil hydrophysical databases for Brazilian soils, including the development of pedotransfer functions for water retention and hydraulic conductivity. I also work on field-based studies integrating soil sampling, infiltration experiments, and modelling of water flow and landslide susceptibility in tropical catchments. Understanding hydrological processes across scales is currently one of my main research priorities.

Please tell us briefly how your research could contribute to ISMC Science Panel’s activities? Or the other way around, how do you wish ISMC science panels help/support your research activities?

My research can contribute to ISMC Science Panels mainly through tropical soil datasets, pedotransfer modelling, and integration of soil hydraulic information into environmental modelling frameworks. Brazilian soils are still underrepresented in global datasets, and expanding these data can improve model robustness worldwide. ISMC, in turn, can support my research by fostering collaboration, facilitating data sharing, and promoting the development of harmonized modelling approaches and benchmarking exercises.

What resources or skills would you recommend that early career members of ISMC should acquire? And how can ISMC help and support early career members in this regard?

Early career researchers should invest in strong foundations in soil physics, statistics, and programming (especially Python or R), combined with field and laboratory experience. Data science skills are becoming increasingly important. ISMC can support early career members by offering training workshops, collaborative networks, open datasets, and mentoring opportunities connecting young scientists with experienced researchers across disciplines. Young scientists should also be open-minded and respectful toward people with different behaviors, perspectives, and skills. When we embrace diversity, we become better able to collaborate and work effectively together.