complementary studies in physical land resources and

EDITORIAL
The present academic year 2006-2007 is the last in which our interuniversity
master programme is organised as a combination of two programmes (the
complementary and advanced studies respectively),. As of 2007, we start
with a "regular" master that is organised at the same level of all the other
master programmes at Ghent University which replace the former "licentiate",
"engineering" … programmes. The newcomers that year, will only obtain a
diploma (master degree) at the end of their studies, i.e. after 2 years.
Candidates who have already a background in physical land resources (soil
science) at master level, can however be granted a reduced programme that
can be anything in length between 1 (minimum) and 2 years. This is decided
on a case-to-case basis.
Just before the start of this academic year, we had our 5 th refresher activity,
which addressed all our alumni of the former programmes in Soil Science and
in Eremology, and of the present master programme in Physical Land
Resources. The workshop was this time organised at Ghent University.
Many alumni expressed their interest, but unfortunately not all could obtain
the funds required to be present. You will find more news and pictures about
this event further in this issue, including a few comments received by some of
our participants.
In December 2006, the final report of the Visitation Commission has been
released. Overall, our programme did come out well. Yet, the study load of the
programme – in particular of the first year – appears to be a bottle-neck that
has to be remediated. Another remark concerns the major "Engineering
Geology" which in reality does not cover the full range of subjects that are
included in this field but rather focuses on "Soil Engineering". Perhaps the
name of the majors have to be reflected upon, as well as the list of courses
making up the programme and each major in particular. What this visitation
means for the ICP-ranking by the VLIR, and more in particular for the
number of scholarlships for the different programmes is as yet not clear.
Before summer however, we expect to know more.
CONTENTS
Editorial ................................................ 1
Staff News ............................................. 2
Students, research fellows &
Trainees .............................................. 11
Publications ........................................ 26
Project profiles .................................... 30
Communications received .................. 32
Meetings .............................................. 34
Advanced Training and Research
Opportunities ...................................... 38
By the way, do not forget to have a look at our webpage from time to time.
Although much of the information is directed towards prospective students,
there is also some information of use for you included. Apart from a number
of useful links with regard to funding, advanced research opportunities and
publications, we have also a questionnaire on our programme which you can
print out and return to us completed. Please also feel free to comment on our
programme and activities through e-mail (PLRprog.adm@UGent.be). Change
of address ? New function ? Promoted ? Let us know ! Forms to update your
co-ordinates and to inform us about your Ph.D. studies and promotion are
also available at our webpage. It is always there (if you have access to
internet) and - unlike a piece of paper – will not get lost.
Prof. Dr. E. Van Ranst
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STAFF NEWS
LAUDATIO
Prof. Dr. ir. H.
Verplancke was born in
Brugge on January 26,
1941. In 1966 he
obtained the degree
“Engineer in Chemistry
and Agricultural
Industries" from the
Ghent University. In
1973 he obtained his
Ph.D. in Agricultural
Sciences from the same university.
In 1966, he started as assistant at the Laboratory for
Molecular Biology of the Ghent University under Prof. Dr.
L. Vandendriessche and Prof. Dr. ir. W. Fiers. Two years
later he transferred to the Laboratory of Soil Physics under
Prof. Dr. ir. M. De Boodt. Since 1968 he was attached to
the Laboratory of Soil Physics, first as assistant, then
(1977) as work leader. In 1987 he became Associate
Professor and he was Full Professor since 1991.
During his career at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
he was teaching several graduate and post-graduate
courses, such as: soil physics, applied soil physics, land
evaluation and land use planning, soil water and salinity
management, land assessment for irrigated agriculture,
analysis and abatement of soil pollution; soil pollution and
soil protection. He was also a guest professor at several
universities, including Gadjah Mada University
(Indonesia), Universiti Putra Malaysia, University of
Zimbabwe, Cairo University (Egypt), Ain Shams
University (Egypt), Universidad Católica del Perú (Lima,
Peru) and University of Can Tho (Mekong Delta,
Vietnam).
Within the Ghent University he was secretary of several
commissions and he was secretary of the Steering
Commission and promoter of the ICP Physical Land
Resources.
But Professor Verplancke was also very active on an
international level, as a corresponding member of the
International Board for Soil Research and Management
Incorporated (IBSRAM), section: Africaland, Management
of Vertisols in Africa and a corresponding member of the
International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA),
workgroup Management of Vertisols in Sub-Saharan
Africa, Addis-Abeba, Ethiopia.
Because of his strong international orientation and
expertise, he visited many different countries in the frame
of international cooperation projects of the FAO, IAEA,
UNESCO and the World Bank, such as Asia (China,
Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodja, Vietnam, the
Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Pakistan,
Saoudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, Syria and Turkye), Africa
(Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda,
Uganda, Congo, South-Africa, Zimbabwe, Tunesia,
Marocco, Algeria) and Latin-America (Peru, Brasil,
Ecuador, Bolivia, Chili). He was the coordinator of the bilateral
cultural agreements between Belgium and Romania
and coordinator of the Twinning Project, Ghent University
– Gadjah Mada University (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) in
collaboration with ABOS.
His research domain was mostly related to water transport
in the vadose zone and hydrophysical and hydrodynamic
characterization of soils. More specifically he was
interested in infiltration characteristics under different
irrigation techniques, soil structure and soil stability,
efficient use of irrigation water, water balance in moderate,
semi-arid and arid areas and in the humid tropics, physical
aspects of soil salinity, physical characterization of soils
and sludge and physical aspects and remediation of
polluted soils. In the early nineties soil pollution became an
increasingly important issue in industrialized countries and
in Flanders a special Decree on soil remediation was issued
in 1995. Prof. Dr. ir. H. Verplancke became very interested
in this new research domain of soil pollution and soil
remediation and as such he was frequently asked for advice
in legal cases related to soil pollution.
Professor Verplancke will certainly remember his many
international study visits together with Professor Van
Ranst.
His retirement surely
is neither a goodbye to
science, nor a goodbye
to the International
Centre for Physical
Land Resources. We
are sure that he will
continue to follow the
weal and woe of the
training centre. We are
also convinced that he
will be busy playing
tennis and supporting
his home football team
Club Brugge, as well
as spending lots of
time with his
grandchildren. We
wish him good health
and many pleasant
years to come.
Joke Van De Steene
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STAFF NEWS
NEW WAVES IN PHYSICAL LAND
RESOURCES
WORKSHOP FOR ALUMNI
Ghent, 3-9 September 2006
brief the alumni on the latest developments in the field of
Soil Science and Engineering Geology, within the
expertise available at the International Centre for Physical
Land Resources. Venue of the meeting this time was Ghent
University, and all alumni (all continents) were invited.
While in the former editions of the Refresher Course,
which took place in respectively South-East Asia, Africa
and Latin America, there was a strong accent on transfer of
knowledge from the ITC-Ghent towards alumni, now an
overall exchange of knowledge and information from
alumni, to staff and vice versa, as well as amongst alumni
was envisaged. The intention was to create or improve
channels of communication as an indispensable vehicle for
co-operation.
40 participants registered, of which 38 alumni. However 6
alumni cancelled for various reasons (visa problem, death
of parent, etc.). They represented about 20 countries from
the different continents.
Above (clockwise) : Rector P. Van Cauwenberghe, VLIR-UOS Director
K. Verbrugghen, Prof. H. De Smedt (promotor VUB), Prof. E. Van Ranst
(Chairman Steering Committee PLR)
The 5 th advanced training course, this time not only for
alumni from the International Centre for Post-Graduate
Soil Scientists (ITC-Ghent), but also from the International
Centre for Eremology (ICE) and the International Centre
for Physical Land Resources, was organised with the aim
to point out needs for feedback, co-operation and support
for alumni, and present information and means to fill gaps
and remediate shortcomings. In addition, the objective is to
The official opening of the workshop took place on
Monday morning, September 4, 2006. Speakers were Prof.
Dr. P. Van Cauwenberghe, Rector of Ghent University,
Ms. K. Verbrugghen, Director of the Development Cooperation
Section of the Flemish Interuniversity Council
(VLIR-UOS) and sponsor of our Master programme in
Physical Land Resources, Prof. E. Van Ranst and ir. D.
Langouche, the chairman and promoter and the coordinator
of the course respectively. The opening lectures
were given by 3 alumni : Prof. Dr. Mitiku Haile, President
of Mekelle University (Ethiopia), Dr. Tang Huajun,
Director General of the National Institute of Agricultural
Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of
Agricultural Sciences (China), and Prof. Dr. Erpul Gunay,
Faculty at Ankara University (Turkey).
Opening day, part of the audience
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STAFF NEWS
Top and left middle: Group picture and reception at the opening day in the new building of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering;
Below: reception at the town hall of the city of Ghent
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STAFF NEWS
On Tuesday September 5, 2006, the floor was given to the
alumni. Through flash presentations, they were offered the
opportunity to present their overall work and workenvironment,
pinpoint particular (practical) problems
envisaged and make a call for cooperation, joint research
or exchange of information. This second day was closed
beautifully with a reception gratuously offered by the
Town Council of Ghent at the beautiful Town Hall.
Wednesday morning, September 6, 2006, a bus took the
participants to Brussels, where they were guided through
the laboratories of the "Vrije Universiteit Brussel" which
are involved in the Master programme in Physical Land
Resources. For alumni of the programmes in Soil Science
and in Eremology, this was a fresh introduction. In the
afternoon, the Department of Teledetection at the Royal
Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren was visited.
The staff of Ghent University briefed the alumni on their
latest research, new equipment and developments on
Thursday, September 2006, when the participants were
guided through the laboratories both at the Geological
Institute and at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering.
Friday September 7, 2006, was devoted to a number of
parallel workshops around 5 different themes : Soil and
Groundwater Pollution and Remediation, Land Evaluation
and Land Degradation, Integrated Soil Fertility
Management, Soil Survey and Soil Inventory Techniques,
and Soil Processes and Analytical Techniques. Both staff
and alumni actively participated and contributed to the
discussions.
On the last day of the meeting, Saturday morning,
September 9, 2006, the conclusions of the workshop were
presented, and the meeting was closed by Prof. E. Van
Ranst.
What follows are a few reactions from alumni, as well as
the closing speech of Prof. Van Ranst.
Some reactions from alumni
From top to bottom: catching some late summer sun in Tervuren,
lab visit, workshop and poster session
In the afternoon, the participants were briefed on
possibilities for co-operation and funding by staff from the
Universities involved (Dr. D. De Craemer from Ghent
University and Ms. J. Couder from the "Vrije Universiteit
Brussel") and from Development Cooperation Sections,
Mr. F. Vermeulen from VLIR-UOS and Mr. Carl Michiels,
Director of the Belgian Technical Co-operation (BTC).
"For me it was a good meeting. Not only did I learn
something from the papers presented, I was able to see
some of my old professors, Prof. Sys and Prof. Stoops.
Also I was very pleased to see a former classmate of mine
and some of my former (Ph.D.) students".
*****
Prof. Dr. J. Shamshuddin
(Universiti Putra Malaysia)
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STAFF NEWS
"I did not realise how much it impacted on me until it was
over. First, the fact that there are lots of developments and
prospects for advancements in soil science, eremology and
physical land resources and that we got updated in these
developments during the meeting was reason enough to be
exultant about. Second, I also appreciated the fact that
alumni were heard and listened to, and that their
presentations were looked upon, not only as a call for help,
but venues for sharing common experiences of people
working in the field, harsh and gentle alike. Third, there
was also the prospect of cooperation in doing big and small
projects. Contacts with our former professors and
colleagues inspired us to work on proposals along with the
realization that there is still much to do after all. Finally, to
have met and conversed again with our former Professors
in that full one week and to be back to the place we fondly
call „second home‟ were experiences enough I will not
forget for a lifetime. Thank you so much!"
*****
Dr. Renato Boniao
From Prof. Dr. Tee Boon Goh (University of Manitoba,
Canada) we received a very extensive comment, including
some very useful suggestions to keep in mind for future
editions of this alumni workshop. What follows is only a
small summary :
" (…) the objectives were achieved, to a greater extent than
I would have anticipated. The organisers had placed a
stress on cooperation rather than aid. In doing so, they
created a more meaningful benchmark to measure the
success of the training and development programmes (…)".
"It was heartening that the participants not only indulged in
nostalgia but were encouraged to establish their own
cooperation and to be briefed on the latest issues in
research occurring in Belgium (…)".
"The Secretariat of the conference and the staff of the
International Training Centre should be commended on
their excellent organisation (…)".
"The receipt of abstracts and papers should be a
prerequisite for the proceedings (…)". (Note from the
editor : in due course, taking formats and deadlines into
account and clear confirmations of attendance).
"Instead of a day dedicated to the flash presentations, we
could have a two minutes introduction by the chair or
incorporate the information in the technical/scientific oral
presentation (…) a "Bear Pit session" was missing. Bear
Pit sessions look at solutions and could be more beneficial
for ideas and to actually know the current state of the art or
research among participants" (Note from the editor : this
was intended to be part of the theme workshops, but time
proved to be the bottle-neck. Certainly a point for
improvement !).
"Personally, I benefited from the workshop in more way
than one. I was able to meet my former Professors and
colleagues and I was given the opportunity to establish
research liaisons with other soil scientists from different
parts of the world. Because this was a Workshop for
Alumni, I was very proud to meet my Academic brothers
and sisters and happy to provide any collaboration,
assistance and instruction, within my status as a
participant".
*****
To end, we give here a summary of the reaction of Dr. El
Badawi from the Soils and Water Use Department of the
National Research Centre in Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
"The information on possibilities for co-operation was very
important. The flash presentations of the participants were
very useful, not only for establishing new friendships with
colleagues from many countries, but also for the
opportunity offered to exchange ideas and show research
results, and demonstrate how problems are solved in the
absence of (well working) modern equipment and
sufficient funds"
"More demonstrations on the use and operation of modern
equipment would have been useful".
Closing Speech
On behalf of the Steering Committee and the Staff of our
programme in PLR, I first want to congratulate all of you,
alumni and staff who attended this 5 th refresher course, for
your contributions and active participation in the
discussions. I am proud to be able to announce that this
refresher course was attended by 40 alumni coming from
22 countries spread over different continents. As I said
already during my opening speech, our major objective
was to come to an overall exchange of knowledge and
information from alumni to staff and vice versa, as well as
amongst alumni. I hope we have succeeded in this
objective ? I hope that all of you enjoyed the sessions, that
you could establish cooperative linkages, upgrade your
knowledge with the latest developments in the field of soil
science and engineering geology , and that you were able
to collect valuable information about the wide range of
existing funding opportunities provided by VLIR or
offered by other institutions in Belgium that are involved in
development cooperation.
I think that the information session we had on Monday
afternoon on possibilities for co-operation, financial
support, project planning, etc. with presentations of VLIR,
BTC, the Department of Research Affairs from the Ghent
University and the Department for Development
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STAFF NEWS
Cooperation of the Free University of Brussels was very
informative to strengthen your academic cooperation in
the near future or to help younger colleagues or scientists
of your institute in their further training or career
development.
The flash presentations proved to be an ideal
communication tool, inviting us to explore the differences
and similarities in the problems you, the alumni, face
while developing your scientific career. It stressed the
importance of funding – through projects with professors
from Ghent University and the Free university of Brussels -
but it also highlighted opportunities for co-operation
among the alumni themselves.
The most important limitation experienced by the majority
of the speakers is the lack of funds and consequently,
there‟s a high necessity for cooperation with other
institutes through projects. The funds raised as such are
necessary to buy basic equipment for laboratories or field
experiments, or to buy data such as climatic records or
satelite imagery. The collaboration with European
universities also opens opportunities for knowledge
exchange, through guest lectures or short trainings. The
insight in current leading research topics is broadened as
the alumni get access to e-papers.
However, a project starts with writing a well-prepared
project proposal, and this initial proposal writing is not as
evident as it seems if there‟s no access to basic computer
infrastructure, interneting services or e-subscriptions to
journals that allow the alumni to keep pace with the latest
developments in their field of expertise.
Once the project finishes, often, there are no funds
anymore that can be used to maintain, repair or order spare
parts of the laboratory equipment acquired. This opened
the discussion with respect to the frequent demand of
alumni for more sophisticated instruments. In reality, they
more urgently need good basic infrastructure that is
maintained correctly. This maintenance not only requires
funds, but also a good management with continuous
supervision.
All speakers are also willing to exchange MSc and PhD
students. These foreign students bring along with them
their knowledge of tools, theories, and new advances in
soil science. On the other hand, several alumni highlighted
the lack of interest in soil science shown by the local
students. Often, these students don‟t choose for soil science
because they don‟t have any idea of the potential future
jobs. They also need to be convinced of the persisting (or
even increasing) importance of soil science in our modern
communities.
Upon the demand for more « upgraded » local staff, the
problem of brain-drain is raised, faced by many developing
countries. However, there are also positive, encouraging
statements. Facing all the problems, making it difficult (at
might take several years) to get a project proposal
launched, some of the speakers already successfully got
involved in national and international projects.
Cooperation among the alumni of different universities or
research institutes within a country or within neighbouring
countries, is often a way of getting access to papers, to
data, or to specific laboratory instruments.
Also our newsletter “PEDON” can play a major role in all
this, as I mentioned already in the editorial of Pedon nr. 16
(2005). I wish to remind everyone of you that Pedon is not
meant as a one-way channel of information from our center
towards alumni. Pedon also makes room for your
contributions, reactions, call for research partners,
important events in your research groups, as well as
activities and projects organised in the frame of the soil
science – and engineering geology – community in your
country and, perhaps, by associations of alumni.
In 1992, a local Alumni Association was set up in
Malaysia. We have about 70 alumni from Malaysia, and
they were one of the most prominent countries represented
here during the seventies and eighties. At present, other
nationalities surface in our international student
community. Ethiopia is certainly taking the lead. In 1996,
an association of Ethiopian alumni from Belgian
universities was founded. Although this association groups
alumni from different programs in Belgium, it does provide
a channel through which our alumni can meet and (we
hope) keep contact. Associations like these can facilitate
networking and set up of research activities within and
across borders.
PLEASE SEND US INFORMATION TO BE
PUBLISHED IN PEDON !
Before ending this speech, I once again would like to thank
the VLIR for co-financing this event; the Ghent University
for hosting this workshop, and especially the administrative
staff of the secretariat of the PLR for the hard work done
over the past weeks making the organization of this
refresher course possible.
Thanks, let‟s keep in touch, and have a safe journey back
home.
Prof. Dr. E. Van Ranst, Chairman of the Steering Committee
Physical Land Resources
EUROPEAN COMMISSION PROPOSES
STRATEGY TO PROTECT EUROPE's
SOILS
On September 22, 2006, the European Commission
proposed a strategy to ensure that Europe's soils remain
healthy and capable of supporting human activities and
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STAFF NEWS
ecosystems. Good quality soil is essential to our economic
activities as it provides us with food, drinking water,
biomass and raw materials – and all our human activities
are somehow related to soil. But soil degradation is
accelerating across the EU, with negative effects on human
health, ecosystems and climate change – and on our
economic prosperity and quality of life. To reverse this
trend, the Commission's strategy sets a common EU
framework for action to preserve, protect and restore soil,
but leaves Member States flexibility to implement it in a
way which fits local situations best. Member States must
take action to tackle threats such as landslides,
contamination, soil erosion, the loss of soil organic matter,
compaction, salinisation and sealing wherever they occur,
or threaten to occur, on their national territories. The Soils
Strategy is the last of the seven Thematic Strategies that
the Commission is presenting, in accordance with the 6 th
Environmental Action Programme.
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said : "Soil is a
prime example of the need to think global and act local.
That is why we propose a common framework at EU level
which will set a level playing field and aim at the same
level of protection of soils throughout the EU, while
leaving member states room to take into account national
situations in their implementation. We want to ensure that
citizens today and in the future benefit from soils that are
able to perform a wide range of different functions,
providing us with all the services that we need".
A non renewable resource
Soil can be considered a non-renewable resource, as it
takes hundreds of years to produce a few centimetres of
soil. Yet soil is rapidly degrading in many places across the
EU exacerbated by human activity, such as certain
agricultural and forestry practices, industrial activities,
tourism or urban development. An estimated 115 million
hectares or 12% of Europe's total land area are subject to
water erosion, and a further 42 million hectares by wind
erosion. Approximately 3.5 million sites within the EU
could be contaminated. About 45% of European soils have
low organic matter content, principally in southern Europe
but also other Member States are concerned.
Call for action at EU level
Soil is a resource of common interest to the EU and failure
to protect it at EU level will undermine sustainability and
long term competitiveness in Europe. Different EU policies
already contribute to soil protection but no coherent policy
exists. Only nine Member States have specific legislation
on soil protection, often covering a specific threat, in
particular soil contamination.
Soil degradation has strong impacts on other areas of
common interest to the EU, such as water, human health,
climate change, nature and biodiversity protection, and
food safety. Soil protection is not only a national concern
as soil contamination in one Member State can have
transboundary effects and cause pollution and economic
burdens on neighbouring states. Also, different ways of
dealing with soil problems may distort competition for
economic operators within the internal market.
A Framework Directive
Against this background, the Commission proposes a Soil
Strategy for Europe. It is set out in a Communication,
accompanied by a proposal for a Framework Directive and
an Impact Assessment.
The Framework Directive sets out common principles,
objectives and actions. It requires Member States to adopt
a systematic approach to identifying and combating soil
degradation, tackling precautionary measures and
integrating soils protection into other policies. But it allows
for flexibility - it is for the Member States to decide the
level of ambition, specific targets and the measures to
reach those. This is because soil types have been identified.
Member States are required to identify areas where there is
a risk of erosion, organic matter decline, compaction,
salinisation and landslides. They must set risk reduction
targets for those areas and establish programmes of
measures to achieve them. They will also have to prevent
further contamination, establish an inventory of
contaminated sites on their territory and draw up national
remediation strategies. When a site is being sold, where a
potentially contaminating activity has taken or is taking
place, a soil status report has to be provided by the seller or
the buyer to the administration and the other party in the
transaction. Finally, the Member States are required to
limit or mitigate the effects of sealing, for instance by
rehabilitating brownfield sites.
The Strategy will boost research on soil and raise public
awareness and ensure public participation in the
preparation and review of the programmes of measures
adopted by the Member States.
Full details of the Strategy are available at :
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/soil/index.htm.
A video news release on the Strategy is available to
television stations and networks; it can be viewed and
ordered at http://www.tvlink.org.
E. Van Ranst
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STAFF NEWS
Top f.l.t.r. : Welcome by the Recotr of KULeuven, guided walk in the
rain, visit to the main university library
Above : ICP-coordinators
of UGent trying not to
make a poor figure at the
karaoke … Pedon does
not reproduce sound
(fortunately)
More karaoke :
Above left : Latino girl power
Above right : African zeal
Left : Asian drive
VLIR-ICP Get Together Day
Leuven, December 8, 2006
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STAFF NEWS
VLIR-ICP GET TOGETHER DAY –
LEUVEN
December 8, 2006
The concept of this "get together day" is to bring all VLIR-
UOS scholars from all the Flemish Universities together at
a social-cultural event where they can meet, share
experiences etc. This initiative is sponsored by VLIR-
UOS, and each year hosted by one of the Flemish
Universities. The already fourth edition of this meeting day
was hosted by the Catholic University of Leuven
(KULeuven).
After a welcome by Prof. Dr. Marc Vervenne, Rector of
the KULeuven, the students were divided in groups, who
were consequently taken at different places of interest in
Leuven by experienced guides. The weather was typically
Belgian : lots and lots of rain ! Yet, this could not damp the
enthusiasm of the participants. The guided tours were
concluded with another more ceremonial part, where Prof.
Dr. Mart Buelens, Vice-Rector of the KULeuven gave an
inspired speech on international mobility and development
co-operation through education. Ms. Karolien Vrints and
Mr. Mario De Meyer, the new faces of the VLIR-UOS
scholarship team presented the prizes to the VLIR-UOS
Contest participants. A good evening meal at the
University's restaurant refuelled everybody for a lively
karaoke show, that was rounded up by a dance party that
concluded the event
INTERESTING LINKS
The International Science Foundation (IFS) provides funds
for young scientists from developing countries within a
number of research areas. Information can be found at
webpages of the foundation : http://www.ifs.se. IFS also
issues a quarterly newsletter, to inform its subscribers
about recent development. Also ad hoc newsbulletins
(fellowship announcements, etc.) are sent to the
subscribers. For subscription to the IFS eNews go to the
IFS webpages. Back numbers of the newsletter can also be
found there.
The Alβan programme aims at reinforcement of the
European Union-Latin America cooperation is the area of
Higher Education and covers studies for postgraduates as
well as higher level training for Latin-American
professionals, in institutions or centres in the European
Union. At the webpages of the programme :
http://www.programalban.org you will find copies of their
electronic newsletter. You can also subscribe for this
newsletter to keep abreast of Alβan-activities.
The Stockholm Water Front is a quarterly, English
language magazine that spreads knowledge on important
water and water-related issues. Stockholm Water Front
presents a mix of popular scientific information and news
reporting about the activities of the Stockholm
International Water Institute. You can view, download, or
print out recent issues in pdf-format from
http://www.siwi.org.
EDULINK is the first ACP-EU Cooperation Programme
on Higher Education. It is open to all countries of the
African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and
to the 15 EU Member States that are signatories to the 9th
European Development Fund. It aims to foster capacity
building and regional integration in the field of higher
education through institutional networking, and to support
a quality higher education system that is relevant to the
needs of the labour market and consistent with ACP socioeconomic
development priorities. Next deadline for project
proposals is expected end of 2007, early 2008. For more
information and subscription to the mailing list that will
keep you abreast of EDULINK's latest information, surf
to : http://www.acp-edulink.eu/.
- 10 -

STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
COMPLEMENTARY AND ADVANCED STUDIES
IN PHYSICAL LAND RESOURCES 2006-2007
Complementary Studies
in Physical Land Resources
Ms. Djidohokpin Fifame
Carole
Ing. des Travaux et Envir.
Lab. d'ecologie Microbienne,
Fac. Agr., Univ. d'Abomey-
Calavi, Benin. E-mail :
FifameCarole.Djidohokpin@
UGent.be
Mr. Nayaburundi Gerard
B.Sc. Agron. (Soil Sci.)
Min. of National Education,
Bujumbura, Burundi
E-mail :
Gerard.Nayaburundi@UGent.
be
Option :
Soil Science
Mr. Adortse Peter
B.Sc. Agriculture
University of Cape Coast, Soil
Science Dept., Cape Coast,
Ghana
E-mail :
Peter.Adortse@UGent.be
Mr. Amoakwah Emmanuel
B.Sc. Agriculture
University of Cape Coast, Soil
Sci. Dept., Cape Coast, Ghana
E-mail :
Emmanuel.Amoakwah@
UGent.be
Mr. Badr El Din Nasem
B.Sc. Envir. Agric.
Suez Canal Univ., Fac. of
Envir. Agric. Sciences, Soil &
Water Dept., North Sinai,
Egypt
E-mail :
Nasem.BadrElDin@UGent.be
Mr. Buchan David
B.Sc. Envir. Sci.
Scotland
E-mail :
David.Buchan@UGent.be
Mr. Davila Chavez Guillermo
ir. Civil Eng., M.Sc. Envir.
San.
Peru
E-mail :
Guillermo.DavilaChavez@
UGent.be
Mr. Erda Fana Gebresenbet
B.Sc. Plt. Sci.
Self Help Development
International, Harar, Ethiopia
E-mail :
FanaGebresenbet.Erda@
UGent.be
Mr. Garba Maman
B.Sc. Agriculture
Inst. Nat. de la Recherche
Agronomique du Niger
(INRAN), Niamey, Niger
E-mail :
Maman.Garba@UGent.be
Mr. Jahangir Mohammad
Mozifur
B.Sc. Agriculture, M.Sc. Soil
Science
Bangladesh Agricultural
University, Dept. Soil Sci.
Mymensingh, Bangladesh
E-mail :
MohammadMozifur.Jahangir
@UGent.be
Ms. Jalilpour Marzieh
B.Sc. Geology
Iran
E-mail :
Marzieh.Jalilpour@UGent.be
Ms. Mar Thé
B. Agr. Sci. (Soil Fert. &
Water Management)
Myanmar Agric. Service, Land
Use Division, Yangon,
Myanmar. E-mail :
thmar.themar@UGent.be
Ms. Nang Seng Aye
B. Agr. Sci.
Ministry of Agriculture and
Irrigation, Insein, Myanmar
E-mail :
nangseng.NangSengAye@
UGent.be
Mr. Ngwa Stanley
B.Sc. Biology (Zoology)
Land Forest Research , Tiko,
Cameroon
E-mail :
Stanley.Ngwa@UGent.be
Mr. Riaz Ullah
B.Sc. Soil Agric. & Envir.
Sci., M.Sc. Agr. (Soil & Envir.
Sc.)
Dept. of Soil & Environmental
Sciences, NWFP, Agricultural
University, Peshawar, Pakistan
E-mail :
riazulla.RiazUllah@UGent.be
Ms. Tytgat Nele
Lic. Geology
Belgium
E-mail :
Nele.Tytgat@UGent.be
Mr. Wahydi Agung
B.Sc. Regional & City
Planning
Bandung Institute of
Technology, Fac. Civil Eng.,
Bandung, Indonesia
E-mail :
Wahyudi.Agung@UGent.be
Mr. Wandou Paulinus
B.Sc. Geology
University of Dschang,
Dschang, Cameroon
E-mail :
paulinus.PaulinusWandou@
UGent.be
Mr. Xiao Changying
B.Sc. Chemical Eng. & Techn.
Technology Dept., Chengdu,
Univ. of Tech., P.R. China
E-mail :
Changying.Xiao@UGent.be
- 11 -

STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
Mr. Zidan Yousef
B.Sc. Geology & Water
Resources
Palestine
E-mail :
Yousef.Zidan@UGent.be
Advanced Studies
in Physical Land Resources
Mr. Eshetu Belayneh Bruk
B.Sc. Plant Science
Alemaya University, Plant Sci.
Dept., Soil Science Section,
Alemaya, Ethiopia
E-mail :
Bruk.Eshetu@UGent.be
Option :
Engineering Geology
Mr. Ashu Richard Agbottabe
B.Sc. Geology
Rural Resources Development
(RUREDCIG) (NGO), Buea,
Cameroon
E-mail :
RichardAgbottabe.Ashu@
UGent.be
Option :
Soil Science
Mr. Amakor Xystus Ndubuisi
C.
B. Techn. (Soil Sc. & Techn.)
Federal University of
Technology, Dept. Soil Sci.,
Owerri, Nigeria
E-mail :
Amakor.Ndubuisi@UGent.be
Mr. Funwi Joshua
B.Sc. Zoology
Bamenda Highlands Forest
Project, Bamenda, Cameroon
E-mail :
Joshua.Funwi@UGent.be
Ms. Gharahi Ghehi Nasrin
B.Sc. Agricultural Engineer
Iran
E-mail : Nasrin.GharahiGhehi
@UGent.be
Mr. Sapukotana Sandun
Dusshantha
B.Sc. Civil Eng.
National Water Supply and
Drainage Board, Kandy, Sri
Lanka
E-mail :
SandunDusshantha.Sapukotan
a@UGent.be
Ms. Shrestha Rakshya
B.E. Civil Eng.
Geological & Eng.
Consultancy Service,
Kathmandu, Nepal
E-mail :
Rakshya.Shrestha@UGent.be
Mr. Viet Ha Nhu
B.Sc. Geology
Hanoi University of Mining
and Geology, Dept. Inform. for
Geol., Hanoi, Vietnam
E-mail :
Nhu.VietHa@UGent.be
Ms. Viscarra Agreda Fabiana
Candy
Lic. Civil Eng.
SANEA S.R.L., Geotechnic
and Structure Dept., Bolivia
E-mail :
FanaGebresenbet.Erda@
UGent.be
Mr. Wake Jemaneh Shibru
B.Sc. Geology
Kebede Gerba consulting
Engineers
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
E-mail :
JemanehShibru.Wake@UGent
.be
Ms. Anggria Linca
B.Sc. Chemistry
Indonesian Soil Research
Institute, Bogor, Indonesia
E-mail :
Linca.Anggria@UGent.be
Mr. Bazgir Masoud
M.Sc. Agr. Eng. (Soil Sci.)
Ilam University, Fac. of Agric.,
Ilam, Iran
E-mail :
Masoud.Bazgir@UGent.be
Ms. Begum Ara Shamim
M.Sc. Horticulture
Regional Agricultural
Research Station, Jamalpur,
Bangladesh
E-mail :
ShamimAra.Begum@UGent.
be
Mr. Botula Manyala Yves-
Dady
Ir. Agronome
Univ. Kinshasa, Congo D.R.
E-mail :
YvesDady.BotulaManyala@
UGent.be
Mr. Duchatelet Jérémie
Lic. Biology
Institut Saint-Luc, Tournai,
Belgium
E-mail :
Jeremie.Duchatelet@UGent.be
Mr. Islam Mohammad
Monirul
B.Sc. Agriculture, M.Sc.
Agriculture
Bangladesh Agricultural
Univerisity, Mymensingh,
Bangladesh
E-mail :
MohammadMonirul.Islam@
UGent.be
Ms. Katuwal Sheela
B.Sc. Agr. Eng. (Soil Cons. &
Watershed Mant.)
Tribhuvan University, Inst. of
Engineering, Sunsari, Nepal
E-mail :
Sheela.Katuwal@UGent.be
Mr. Linh Nguyen Si
B. Environmental Sci.
Research Insitute of Fruits and
Vegetables, Hanoi, Vietnam
E-mail :
Linh.NguyenSy@UGent.be
Ms. Manimel Wadu
Chathurika Wilasini Mihiri
B.Sc. Agriculture
University of Peradeniya, Fac.
Agric., Dept. Soil Sci.,
Peradenya, Sri Lanka.
E-mail :
MihiriC.W.ManimelWadu@
UGent.be
- 12 -

STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
Mr. Mohammed El Sadig
B.Sc. Agricultural Sciences
Land & Water Research
Centre, Wad Medani, Sudan
E-mail : Elsadig.Mohammed@
UGent.be
Mr. Mpulila Thadeo
B.Sc. Agronomy
Soil & Water Mant. Research
Group, Sokoine Univ. of
Agric., Tanzania
E-mail :
Thadeo.Mpulila@UGent.be
Ms. Wollelo Tigist Oicha
B.Sc. Soil and Water
Conservation
Mekelle University, Dept.
Land Res. Mant. & Env. Prot.,
Mekelle, Ethiopia
E-mail :
TigistOicha.Wollelo@UGent.
be
Option :
Engineering Geology
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy
B.Sc. Geology (Geo-
Chemistry)
Res. Inst. Of Geol. & Miner.
Res. (RIGMIR), Vietnam
E-mail :
Thuy.Nguyen.Thi@vub.ac.be
Mr. Qudaih Ahmed A.
B.Sc. Geology/Water
Resources
AL-Azhar University, Dept. of
Geology, Gaza, Palestine
E-mail :
Ahmed.Qudaih@vub.ac.be
Mr. Ngwira Robert Amos
B.Sc. Agriculture (Crop Sci.)
Dept. of Agric. Res. Serv.,
Chitedze Research Station,
Lilongwe, Malawi
E-mail :
Robert.Ngwira@UGent.be
Ms. Nuha Abdalla Mohamed
K.
B.Sc. Chemistry, M.Sc.
Chemistry
Land & Water Research
Centre, Wad Medani, Sudan
E-mail :
AbdallaMohamed.Nuha@
UGent.be
Ms. Salibay Ligtas Asuncion
B.Sc. Agriculture (Soil Sci.)
Lapanday Agricultural &
Development Corporation,
Research Department, Davao
City, Philippines
E-mail :
Ma.AsuncionLigtas.Salibay@
UGent.be
Mr. Shah Syed Haleem
B.Sc. Agr. Eng. (Soil Sci.)
M.Sc. Agriculture (Soil Sci.)
Dept. of Soil and
Environmental Sciences,
NFWP Agricultural University
Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
E-mail :
SyedHaleem.Shah@UGent.be
Ms. Tytgat Nele
Lic. Geology
Belgium
E-mail :
Nele.Tytgat@UGent.be
Mr. Adhikari Surendra
B. Agricultural Engineer
Nepal Agricultural Research
Council (NARC), Eng. Div.,
Kathmandu,
Nepal
E-mail :
Surendra.Adhikari@vub.ac.be
Mr. Bayasgalan Gantulga
B.Sc. Physics & Applied
Ecology
Mongolian Un. Of Sci. &
Techn., Geoinformation
Centre, Mongolia
E-mail :
Gantulga.Bayasgalan@vub.ac.
be
Mr. Bui Le Vinh
B.Land Admin.
Fac. of Land Res., Hanoi,
Agricultural University, Hanoi,
Vietnam
E-mail :
bui_le_vinh@yahoo.com
Mr. Esaifan Muayad
B.Sc. Chemistry
University of Jordan,
Chemistry Dept., Amman,
Jordan
E-mail :
Muayad.Esaifan@vub.ac.be
Mr. Le Nguyen Hoang
B.Sc. Geophysics
Remote Sensing and
Geomatics Dept., Res. Inst. of
Geol. & Min. Res., Hanoi,
Vietnam.
E-mail :
Nguyen.Le@vub.ac.be
Mr. Shaheen Sami
B.Sc. Geology/Chemistry
Palestine
E-mail : sshaheen@vub.ac.be
Mr. Zulu Joseph Dryson Saul
B.Min.Sci. Geology
UNZA, School of Mines,
Geology Dept., Lusaka,
Zambia
E-mail : Joseph.Zulu@
vub.ac.be
Mr. Gonzales-Quijano
Manuel
Licenciado en Ciencias
(Geologia (Tectónica))
Spain
E-mail :
quijas724@hotmail.com
Ms. Torregosa Higinia
Licenciado en Geología
Spain
E-mail :
higiniatorregrosa@hotmail.
com
Ms. Yifang Yuan
P.R. China
E-mail :
yyf1120@hotmail.com
- 13 -

STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
M.Sc. promoted 2006
Physical Land Resources
Option :
Soil Science
Mr. Adhikari Kabindra
WITHIN-FIELD VARIABILITY OF SOIL
PROPERTIES AND ITS AGRONOMICAL
CONSEQUENCES : CASE STUDY : A POLDER
FIELD IN FLANDERS
Promoter(s) : M. Van Meirvenne, G. Hofman
Contact address : European Commission, Joint
Research Centre, Institute for Environment and
Sustainability, Land Management and Natural
Hazards Unit, TP 280, 21020 Ispra (VA), Italy
Abstract :
Better understanding of within-field spatial variability of soil
properties and their influence in crop yield is needed to implement an
effective site-specific crop management plan. The spatial variability of
farm fields can be easily and quickly identified with soil sensors. The
objectives of this study were (i) to characterize the spatial variability
of selected soil properties across a 10 ha field at “Watervlietse
Polders” in Belgium, and (ii) to determine its influence on the
productivity and quality of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris L.).
A directed sampling scheme with 78 sample locations was based on
the ECa data obtained with EM38DD sensor. Coefficient of variations
(CVs) of soil properties ranged from 1 (pH) to 28 % (CaCO3) in
topsoil and 2 to 54 % for the same properties in subsoil. All the
properties displayed well defined spatial structure except topsoil OC
and pH. The properties also showed a moderate to large range (50 m)
of spatial dependence, except for topsoil OC, subsoil g (-1.5 MPa)
and CaCO3. ECa measurements accounted for most of the soil
variability according to a principal components analysis. Fuzzy
kmeans algorithm with ECa as input variable produced two potential
management zones with distinctive differences in subsoil texture (zone
1 with sandy loam subsoil and zone 2 with loamy sand subsoil).
Distinct differences in nitrate content and gravimetric moisture
content were observed between these zones through out the crop cycle.
The beet roots produced from zone 2 fetched higher price (50 €/ton)
due to their higher sugar extractability than from zone 1 (46 €/ton).
But the income per hectare was lower for zone 2 (3,967 €/ha) than
zone 1 (4,244 €/ha) due to its lower root mass production. It was
concluded that subsoil textural heterogeneity between the potential
management zones influenced the differences in quantity and quality
of yield, hence the gross income. Therefore, identification of potential
management zones and differential input treatment are important
strategies for increasing yield and reducing negative environmental
impacts in the polder area of the Northwest East-Flanders, Belgium.
Mr. Bari Md. Khaled Nasimul
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND ISOTOPIC
MEASUREMENT OF CARBON FROM ARABLE
SOILS AFTER MANURE APPLICATION
Promoter(s) : P. Boeckx, D. Beheydt
Contact address : Dept. of Agricultural Extension,
Office of the Director General, Khamarbari Road,
Farmgate, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Abstract :
Priming effect (short term changes in stable carbon pool) was
examined in a laboratory experiment using three grassland soils (D9,
D17 and D53) with similar texture with different carbon content and
age (respectively 9, 17 and 53 years old). In addition, a gas
chromatographic separation method to avoid interference of N 2O on
δ 13 C measurements was performed. C 4 slurry (-19.0±0.1‰) was
applied to these three grassland soils (ranges between -26.9 (±0.2) to -
29.02 (±0.1) ‰). Gas samples were collected during three weeks after
slurry application and analyzed for CO 2 and N 2O concentration and
δ 13 C-CO 2. Slurry application strongly increased the CO 2 emissions
from the different grassland soils with highest emissions (106.8 to
171.2 mg C kg soil -1 d -1 ) shortly after the slurry application. N 2O
emissions, in contrast, were low during this period and did not start to
increase until 8-10 days after slurry application. The 13 C natural
abundance tracer technique enabled quantification of the sources of
respired CO 2 but the expected priming effect was not observed due to
an unexpected source of highly enriched 13 C (+10‰) value in slurry.
Slurry application for priming experiments should be avoided in
isotopic studies unless carbonates or bicarbonates are removed.
Besides, the separation method did not show any interference of N 2O
on the δ 13 C-CO 2 measurements.
Ms. Bonne Kathelijne
ASSESSMENT OF HAZARDOUS
VOLCANOLOGICAL PHENOMENA ON MOUNT
CAMEROON USING REMOTE SENSING AND
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Promoter(s) : E. Van Ranst, G. Ernst
Contact address : Koningin Astridstraat 12, 9250
Waasmunster, Belgium
Abstract :
Mount Cameroon is a 4095 m high active shield volcano which has
erupted at least 6 times during the last 100 years. The 1999 lava flow
was emplaced on the lower SW flank, destroying a part of an oil palm
plantation and threatening the coastal village Bakingili. The frequent
occurrence of lava flows on the inhabitated volcano flanks accentuate
the need for hazard and risk assessment, which is the main goal of this
work. Hazard and risk maps are useful tools for the authorities to help
planning the economic and social growth of the area. 19 th century lava
flows are dated (using Landsat en ASTER images) in order to reevaluate
the recurrence rate of eruptions. Lava flow hazard and risk are
estimated at any place on the lower volcano slopes, using a digital
elevation model (SRTM DEM). A field investigation (December
2005) was carried out to study the lava flow morphology. Bringing
these data together leads towards a better estimation of the hazard and
risk from lava flows.
Mr. Chilongo Kalinga
IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL LAND USE
CHANGES ON LAND DEGRADATION IN
EASTERN ZAMBIA
Promoter(s) : E. Van Ranst, D. Gabriels
Contact address : MACO, DVLD/TTCS, Box
350001, Chilanga, Lusaka, Zambia
Abstract :
The eastern province of Zambia is made up of two agro-ecological
regions, a semi-arid and a sub-humid. Although the land is generally
of low agricultural potential in both, the sub-humid region offers better
potential. Thus agriculture and the population are mainly concentrated
in the sub-humid region. Unsuitable land use types and poor
agricultural practices facilitate land degradation in both regions. The
higher population density in the sub-humid region means greater
pressure on the land there than in the more sparsely populated semiarid
region. A consequence is an increased demand for virgin land and
hence more new settlements. For people in the sub-humid region,
shifting to the more sparsely populated semi-arid region has been a
very attractive option. Thus the pressure on land in the semi-arid
region is due to demand from within and from the sub-humid region.
In this context, the study investigates land degradation in an area
highly valued for wildlife conservation in the semi-arid region. The
- 14 -

STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
results show inherent poor soil fertility, migration of farmers from the
sub-humid areas, soil degradation within short periods of cultivation,
and significant loss of natural vegetation closely associated with
agricultural land use.
Mr. Dabalos Vernon Cacacho
ASSESSMENT OF LAND DEGRADATION IN
EASTERN ZAMBIA
Promoter(s) : D. Gabriels
Contact address : Dept. of Agriculture RFU 02,
Regional Agricultural Engineering Division, Nursery
Compound, San Gabriel, 3500 Tuguegarao,
Cagayan, The Philippines
Abstract :
In the Philippines, soil erosion by water is the most dominant form of
land degradation accentuated by seasonally concentrated erosive high
annual rainfall amounts and recurring drought events. De Martonne
(1926) and Bagnouls-Gaussen (1952) aridity indices and Precipitation
Concentration Index (Oliver, 1980) show there exist no arid areas in
the country, but drought extending to 6 months every year due to
seasonal concentration of rainfall, is experienced in many parts.
Modified Fournier Index, MFI 2 (Arnoldus, 1980) values vary from 116
to 878 indicating that annual rainfall all over the country is extremely
erosive. Using RUSLE to evaluate the erosion risk of Cagayan Valley
yielded erosion rates for intruded grasslands at 100 – 5,000
tons/ha/year, lowland agricultural areas at 0 – 10 tons/ha/year and
forest at less than 5 tons/ha/year. The relatively high rainfall erosivity
and steep slopes characterizing the study area posed the greatest
natural hazards of erosion.
Mr. Herath Mudiyanselage Saman Kumara
Herath
INFLUENCE OF QUALITY OF EXOGENEOUS
ORGANIC MATTER ON SOIL PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
Promoter(s) : S. De Neve, D. Gabriels
Contact address : Sisirasewana, Kudana, Aluthwela
South, 90150 Diyatalawa, Sri Lanka
Abstract :
Two field experiments were examined to explore the influence of the
quality of exogenous organic matter (OM) on soil physical properties.
In 2005, Field 1 with 8 treatments was established: five different OM
treatments, mineral fertilizer, and two treatments without fertilization.
On Field 2 all possible combinations of VFG compost, dairy cattle
slurry and mineral nitrogen fertilization were applied since 1997. The
application of OM amendments had a significant influence on the
aggregate stability, hydraulic conductivity and the labile carbon
fraction of the soil OM pool determined by physical fractionation. But,
the treatments had a similar effect on penetration resistance and also
on soil moisture retention. The effect of inorganic fertilizer treatments
was insignificant. Performance of cattle slurry and VFG compost was
remarkable on the measured soil physical properties.
Mr. Kader MD Abdul
COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL FRACTIONATION
METHODS TO SEPARATE FUNCTIONAL SOIL
ORGANIC MATTER POOLS
Promoter(s) : S. De Neve, S. Sleutel
Contact address : UGent, Dept. of Soil Management
and Soil Care, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent,
Belgium
Abstract :
A comparison of the two soil organic matter (SOM) physical
fractionation methods: the Six et al. (2002) micro-aggregate isolation
method and an ultrasonication-sedimentation method was made by
fractionating soil samples from a wide range of combinations of soil
texture and SOM content. Both methods were also compared for their
ability to assess the impact of soil tillage management. Between the
two methods, the Six et al. (2002)-method was found to be promising
for separation of labile OM fractions and has merit in the fact that it
considers different SOM stabilization mechanisms, and in that it‟s
SOM fractions are equivalent with conceptual model pools whereas
the other method has merit in its simplicity. Both methods were found
to be effective to compare the tillage treatments. A new physical
fractionation procedure may be proposed by combining the both
methods. The particulate organic matter fractions should be isolated
by a procedure similar to the Six et al. (2002) method with a lower
sieving cut-off and the individual clay and silt fractions should be
further separated by an ultrasonication-sedimentation method.
Mr. Messiga Aimé Jean Nyamsi
SOIL ORGANIC MATTER FRACTIONATION
AND N DYNAMICS IN TILLED AND NO-TILLED
ARABLE LAND
Promoter(s) : P. Boeckx
Contact address : International Institute of Tropical
Agr., P.O. Box 2508, Yaoundé, Messa, Cameroon
Abstract :
In this study, we assess the effects of tillage practices on SOM
fractionation and N dynamics under conventional tillage (CT) and
minimum tillage (MT) of arable land in the agricultural area of
Maulde (Belgium). Size and density fractionation was used to separate
SOM into five fractions. N dynamics was assessed by measuring N
mineralization and nitrification during a 4 weeks incubation
experiment using whole soil, and two SOM fractions. MT showed a
higher total C and total N compared to CT. A short and a long term
indicator of C loss were identified and the isotopic signature of the soil
proved to be influenced by plant residues. The potential N
mineralization rate and the N mineralization rate constant of whole
soil of MT were higher in comparison with that of CT suggesting that
MT was more prone to processes responsible for liberation of N
components in the soil.
Mr. Mujinya Bazirake Basile
CHARACTERISTATION OF THE SOILS OF THE
LUFIRA PLAIN (KATANGA, D.R. CONGO) AND
ASSESSMENT OF THEIR PRODUCTION
POTENTIAL OF WHEAT (TRITICUM DURUM)
Promoter(s) : E. Van Ranst, A. Verdoodt
Contact address : University of Lubumbashi, Faculté
des Sciences Agronomique, P.O. Box 1825,
Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo
Abstract :
With the aim of contributing to a sustainable solution to the growing
problems of food insecurity and malnutrition in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (D.R.C.), the production potential for hard wheat
(Triticum durum) was determined for the rich and strategic Upper
Lufira Plain, close to the city of Lubumbashi. This study envisages
being a technical tool to promote wheat cropping in the D.R.C.: even
though the domestic demand for cereals is growing, the country is
hardly producing any wheat, in spite of its high potential for this crop.
Four soil units, derived from 2 groups of parent materials were
described, and soil samples were subjected to physico-chemical and
mineralogical analysis. The derived properties were combined with
climatologic information and matched with the crop requirements. The
study revealed that yield decline, resulting from chemical soil fertility,
is low (6-25% of the production potential) for the investigated on
alluvial deposits soils (Verti-Orthieutric Luvisol and Orthidystric
Fluvisol), whereas it is high (70% of the water-limited production
potential) for soils on slopes and plateaus (Rhodic Ferralsol, Xanthi-
Paraplinthic Ferralsol). The alluvial soils, which constitute 27% of the
mapped area, were classified as moderately suitable (S2) for hard
wheat crop. The soils on slopes and plateaus, also 27% of the mapped
area, were classified as actually unsuitable for irrigated hard wheat
crop, but potentially suitable after improvement of the chemical soil
fertility.
- 15 -

STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
Mr. Mureithi Stephen Mwangi
THE EFFECT OF ENCLOSURES ON
REHABILITATION OF DEGRADED SEMI-ARID
LAND IN LAKE BARINGO BASIN, KENYA
Promoter(s) : E. Van Ranst, A. Verdoodt
Contact address : P.O. Box 15206, 00100 Nairobi,
Kenya
Abstract :
The effects of enclosures on rehabilitation of degraded semi-arid
rangeland were investigated on the Njemps Flats in Lake Baringo
Basin, Kenya. The objective was to assess and compare the effects of
enclosures under private and communal management on vegetation,
soil physico-chemical and biological properties, and rangeland quality,
relative to the adjacent open grazing area. Revegetation by rangeland
enclosure had significantly improved the standing aboveground
biomass production, cover and the fertility of soils, thus restoring the
regenerative capacity with enclosure time, factored strongly by
management. Range condition and the overall land quality in all the
sampled enclosures had also improved significantly. The results
suggest that the enclosures strategy to rehabilitate degraded semi-arid
rangeland in the Lake Baringo Basin could be a basis laid for the
extension of promising approaches to other pastoral rangelands in
Sub-Saharan Africa, as a means to secure the livelihoods of the
pastoralists that depend on them.
Ms. Neina Dora
SOIL QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF RECLAIMED
MINE LANDS IN GHANA
Promoter(s) : E. Van Ranst, A. Verdoodt
Contact address : Ghana Education Service, P.O.
Box 7, Saboba, Ghana
Abstract :
Recently, worldwide mine land reclamation has become imperative
due to the increasing extent of disturbed lands from surface mining.
An indispensable aspect of the multidisciplinary restoration process is
the quality of the “new” soil required for accelerated ecosystem
development. This study was conducted at two gold mining companies
that extract gold by the open cast mining method in Ghana. The study
aimed at comparing the quality of the reclaimed mine soil with
unmined native soil in terms of soil fertility and mineralogy. In
addition, also the heavy metal concentration of the mine tailings was
evaluated. The results indicated that the unmined native soils are not
different from the reclaimed mine soils. The soils are characterised by
an inherently low chemical fertility due to intense weathering and high
leaching. The heavy metal content of the mine tailings is of no
significance in terms of toxicity. Hence the reclamation process was
evaluated successfully.
Mr. Neira Mendez Fredy Hernando
ASSESSMENT OF SOIL EROSION IN
DRYLANDS OF COLOMBIA
Promoter(s) : D. Gabriels
Contact address : Fundacion Sotagaos, Proyectos
Agropecuarios, Calle 72 # 88-44 int. 1, Apt. 708,
Bogota, Colombia
Abstract :
With meteorological data of 391 stations the Lang (1915),
Thornthwaite (1948), De Martonne (1926), Emberger (1930), UNEP
(1997) and Bagnouls-Gaussen (1957) indices are used to determine
drylands in seven zones of Colombia. Only the Lang, UNEP and
Thornthwaite indices show drylands in Colombia. Aggressivity of
rainfall is evaluated using the Modified Fournier Index (Arnoldus,
1980). The Caribbean, Magdalena, Santanderes and Nariño have high
rainfall aggressivity. Seasonality of rainfall is evaluated using the
Precipitation Concentration Index (Oliver, 1980). For almost all the
zones, the areas with high seasonality are those classified as drylands.
The Erosivity index is estimated using the CORINE (1995)
methodology. The Caribbean zone shows a high erosivity index.
Santanderes, Nariño and Magdalena zones have moderate to high
values.
Ms. Nguyen Minh Phuong
PHYSICAL SOIL DEGRADATION ON
REPRESENTATIVE RICE CULTIVATION AREAS
IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM
Promoter(s) : H. Verplancke
Contact address : Soil Science and Land
Management Department, College of Agriculture and
Applied Biology, Cantho University, 3/2 Street,
Cantho City Ninh Kieur District, Vietnam
Abstract :
The Mekong Delta is one of the biggest “rice baskets” in Vietnam.
The soil and natural conditions in Mekong Delta altogether are
suitable for rice production. Triple rice cropping system was applied in
the 1980s and enlarged over the region, especially on the area of
alluvial soils along Tien and Hau rivers. The results of field
experiments at Long Khanh and Vinh My village revealed that longterm
practicing of intensive mono-rice cultivation is the main cause of
soil compaction and soil structural degradation. Soil compaction in the
study areas mainly originated from: (1) illuviation process of fine
particles, (2) mono-rice cultivation with high soil rotation, and (3)
increased mechanization in wet tillage. Whereas, soil structural
degradation was mainly associated with a decrease in soil organic
matter under intensive agricultural activities. Alternative crop rotation
with upland crops initially exposed the improved effects on rice yield
and soil structural stability.
Mr. Nicosia Cristiano
ARCHAEOPEDOLOGICAL STUDY OF
MEDIEVAL "DARK EARTH" FROM FIRENZE,
ITALY
Promoter(s) : F. Mees, R. Langohr
Contact address : Via Cilento 10, 36100 Vicenza,
Italy
Abstract :
“Dark Earth” is a non-stratified, seemingly homogeneous, darkcoloured
deposit encountered in urban archaeological contexts
throughout Europe. It usually dates from the late roman or early
medieval periods. For the present work, a Dark Earth occurrence in
Firenze (“Biblioteca magliabechiana” site), has been investigated
using a set of analytical techniques routinely employed in soil science.
Special attention has been given to micromorphological features
observed in thin sections, integrated with SEM/EDS analyses. This
study revealed that Dark Earth is the outcome of anthropogenic
sedimentation, homogenized by syn- and post-depositional processes.
Pedofeatures were studied to assess local environmental conditions
during and after burial.
Mr. Uzoma Kingsley Chinyere
MODELLING WATER AND PETROLEUM
HYDROCARBON TRANSPORT DURING
NATURAL ATTENUATION
Promoter(s) : J. Van de Steene, H. Verplancke
Contact address : Austin Iwuafor, P.M.B. 1526, 234
Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Abstract :
Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination of the soil poses a serious threat
to soil and groundwater quality. Petroleum hydrocarbons are mixtures
of petroleum fractions having variable transport properties. Transport
of petroleum hydrocarbon fractions in the soil is affected by soil
physical processes with hydraulic conductivity and matric potential
being the two most important physical transport parameters for
contaminants in the soil. Models that deal with contaminants transport
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
in the soil were discussed in the literature. However, CHEMFLO was
used to model the transport of three fractions (C10-C12, C12-C16, and
C16-C20) of petroleum hydrocarbons. Model result indicated that
transport was affected mostly by the partition coefficient of petroleum
hydrocarbon fractions.
Mr. Wickramasinghe Mudiyanselage Diana
Ranjan W.
TREATMENT OF SEWER OVERFLOW WITH
FLOATING MACROPHYTE MATS
Promoter(s) : F. Tack
Contact address : Narawila 218, Kaswatla, Sri Lanka
Abstract :
Due to increasing interests in the effect of combined sewer overflows
on the water quality, the use of plant based systems for the retention
and treatment of these overflows has augmented. The use of retention
basins with floating macrophyte mats is one of the possibilities. An
experiment was set up as to determine the removal of 4 selected heavy
metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn), N, P and COD. 3 replicates of Juncus
effusus, 2 of Iris pseudacorus and 3 of Agrostis spp were selected and
2 replicates with an unplanted mat and 2 blanks without plants and
mat. The removal of the pollutants was observed during the
experiment with a model of the k-C*. The different treatments did not
result in a significant difference in the removal of the selected heavy
metals. The correlations found for the k-C* model were in general the
highest for the treatment with the mat and the blank. N tot showed a
sharp decrease within the first 48h (synthetic waste water). The fastest
removal of COD occurred in the blank.
Mr. Yadessa Sonessa Mergia
ASSESSMENT OF ARIDITY AND RAINFALL
EROSIVITY IN ETHIOPIA
Promoter(s) : D. Gabriels
Contact address : University of Washington
Hydrology Group, Wilson Ceramic Laboratory, Box
352700, WA98195-270 Seattle, USA
Abstract :
Ethiopia is severely affected by recurring droughts and slowly
advancing desertification processes. Soil erosion is also considered as
the main form of land degradation in the country. This study tries to
assess the aridity and rainfall erosivity in Ethiopia. Monthly climatic
data, viz., temperature and rainfall were obtained for 5-56 years in 80
and 82 weather stations respectively; while sunshine duration, relative
humidity and wind speed were obtained for 5-32 years in 58 stations.
Aridity indices were computed using De Martonne, Emberger and
UNEP methods. Precipitation concentration was assessed by
computing both temporal (PCI2) and seasonal (PCI1) precipitation
concentration indices. Seasonal (MFI1) and temporal (MFI2)
Modified Fournier Indices were also computed and the rainfall
erosivity, R, of the USLE was estimated from annual precipitation.
The map of Aridity, PCI2, MFI2, and R were obtained using Geostatistics
module of the IDRISI GIS Software version I32.2.
Precipitation concentration (PCI), aridity, and Modified Fournier
Indices all show an east-west pattern. The average annual rainfall
ranges from 132 mm at Elidar (43.67 o E , 7.02 o N) to 2180 mm at
Masha (35.48 o E, 7.73 o N). Four aridity zones were identified using
the UNEP method: semi-arid, dry sub-humid, moist sub-humid and
humid. When using PCI2, three precipitation concentration classes
were obtained: moderately concentrated, concentrated and strongly
concentrated representing an areal coverage of 27.67, 42.2 and 43.04
million hectares respectively. Five MFI2 classes were identified: very
high, high, moderate, low and very low covering 38.26, 34, 21.15,
6.29 and 0.30 % of the country respectively. The rainfall erosivity, R,
has the lowest value of 75 at Elidar and the highest 1217 at Masha.
Mr. Youssef Ali Amer Ali
MOBILITY OF HEAVY METALS IN
FLOODPLAINS
Promoter(s) : F. Tack
Contact address : Soil, Water and Environmental
Institute, Soil Physics and Chemistry, Guiza, Egypt
Abstract :
In the frame of integrated water management, there is clear interest in
the creation of inundation areas and wetland areas for flooding control.
However, elevated metal contents in soils of areas considered for
creating flooding areas may cause significant problems because their
chemical behaviour, mobility and bioavailability may drastically
change due to the different land use. In this thesis, approaches were
studied to interpret experimental data in order to deduce the patterns
of heavy metals mobility in floodplains under different flooding
regimes, such as periodic inundations and permanent flooding. The
results showed that seasonal dynamics of the soil moisture states
generate large variations in redox potential (E h). Acidic and reducing
conditions were most favourable for metal mobilisation. The effect of
pH was more significant than that of redox (E h). The mobility of heavy
metals in acidic soil decreases in the order Cd Zn ≥ Ni Fe. The
Autospectral analysis of the metal release under different flooding
regimes showed that metal mobilisation in acidic soil is more probable
than that in alkaline soil.
Option :
Engineering Geology
Ms. Alfarrah Nawal Khalifa
GROUNDWATER SALINIZATION IN THE
COASTAL AREA OF JIFARA PLAIN, NW-LIBYA
Promoter(s) : K. Walraevens
Contact address : 7 th April University, P.O. Box
16418, Zawia, Libya
Abstract :
Large increases in water demand with very little recharge have
strained Libya‟s groundwater resources resulting in serious declines in
water levels and quality, especially along the Mediterranean coast
where most of the domestic, industrial and agricultural activities are
concentrated. This project presents results of the hydrogeological
investigation of groundwater salinization in the Jifara plain upper
aquifer system. The unconfined coastal aquifer of Jifara plain, NW-
Libya, is characterized by the presence of saltwater. By means of the
available hydrogeological and hydrochemical information, the sources
of salinization have been identified: seawater intrusion is the main
reason for groundwater salinity in the study area. In the western part of
the study area the brine of coastal sebkha is the contaminant. The
origin of salinity whether (sea or sebkha) is shown by comparing the
chemical composition and the conservative mixture of fresh and
seawater end members. Seawater intrusion is a result of
overexploitation of the aquifer, its shape and position is illustrated by
12 hydrogeochemical profiles perpendicular to the coast from 8 to 15
km long. In this study the Jifara plain is divided into 3 study zones, Az
Zawiah area, Tripoli area and Al Kumes area according to various key
consideration factors, notably, the geological formation, water supply
and the topography. Water samples were collected from 160 sampling
points in these study zones and analyzed for the major cations and
anions (Na + , K + , Ca2+, Mg 2+ , SO 4 2- , Cl-, HCO 3 - , CO 3 2- , Fe 2+ ).
Piezometric maps, TDS and EC maps have been drawn. Lithological
and hydrological cross sections have been established. Most of area
has a CaCl and MgCl groundwater type, with some profiles having a
(Mg+Ca)Mix groundwater facies.
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
Mr. Kayastha Prabin
SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS USING GIS ON A
REGIONAL SCALE
Promoter(s) : F. De Smedt
Contact address : 28 Bhagwan Bahal Marg. Thamel,
Katmandu, Nepal
Mr. Ndofor Akongnui Fai
STABILIZATION OF SOILS FROM CAMEROON
FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES
Promoter(s) : J. Wastiels
Contact address : P.O. Box 18, Bambili N.W.
Province, Cameroon
Abstract :
Stability of land is indispensable for the safety of human life and
development of infrastructure. Landslides are the most common
natural hazards in Nepal, where about 83% of the area are in the
mountainous and hilly regions. In this study, a slope stability analysis
on a regional scale is presented for an area of 347 km2 of Dhading
district, Nepal. A physically based slope stability model coupled to a
simplified groundwater flow model is used to estimate soil wetness
index, and factor of safety maps are produced for three steady state
scenarios (completely dry, half-saturated, and completely saturated
soils) and one quasi-dynamic scenario (soil wetness resulting from
extreme daily rainfall events with return periods of 25 years) with both
methods based on infiltration and contributing area. One model is
developed from these three steady state scenarios. These models help
the engineers and planners to apply landslide hazard models on a
regional scale to the regions that generally lack advanced information
systems with the presented methodology and basic GIS tools. The
quantitative relationships between stability and factors affecting
stability are established by the Certainty Factor (CF) model. The
affecting factors such as land use pattern, soil types and steepness
(slope type) are recognized. From CF value, the most significant
factors are selected. Based on the model developed on the basis of
three steady state scenarios, 27.71% of the research area is
unconditionally stable and 0.59% of the research area is
unconditionally unstable. According to the results of three steady
states and one quasi dynamic state models, there is a decrease in
stability from completely dry condition to completely saturated
condition. In all scenarios, very steep slope area (slope angle more
than 300) contributes to areas prone to failure. In addition, areas
having poorly graded gravel and clayey gravel have more effect in
instability of slope than areas having other types of soils.
Abstract :
Possibilities of using the mineral polymerization (MIP) technique for
the stabilization of soils with the aim of making them more suitable
for construction purposes was investigated using four soil samples (
FET, FBM, FNB, and FNK) from Cameroon. This technique is based
on the micro structural transformation of some clay minerals into solid
and stable materials having feldspatiod or zeolite characteristics under
the action of alkaline reactants. Adding 12% sodium hydroxide to
sample FNK resulted in compressive strengths of 25MPa and 10MPa
under dried and immersed conditions respectively. With 8% sodium
hydroxide added to sample FBM, acceptable compressive strengths;
12MPa and 7MPa under dried and immersed conditions respectively
were also obtained. These two samples were recommended as
precursors for construction materials.
Ph.D. PROGRAMME PHYSICAL LAND RESOURCES
Date of promotion : July 8, 2005
Ph.D. promoted 2005-2006
Dr. Hans Mestdagh
Present function and address : Head of
Department Integrated Rural Development,
Vlaamse Landmaatschappij, Gulden-
Vlieslaan 72, 1060 Brussel
Title of Ph.D. thesis : Environmental reconstruction of
the Last Interglacial and early Glacial based on soil
characteristics of Pedocomplexes on loess at selected
sites from Atlantic Coast to Central Asia
Promoter(s) : Prof. Dr. R. Langohr
Curriculum vitae :
Hans Mestdagh (°July 10, 1966, Ostend) obtained a
Bachelor in Earth Sciences, a Master in Archeology and
Master in Soil Science at Ghent University. From 1991
till 1999, he has been a scientific (project) collaborator
at respectively Ghent University, the Provincial Institute
of Hygiene (Antwerp) and at the Royal Belgian Institute
of Natural Sciences (Brussels). Since 1997, he is
attached to the Flemish Land Society in Brussels. Till
2004, he acted as head of the Department of Knowledge
Management where he had to introduce archeological
knowledge and practices at the level of land
consolidation projects. From 2005 onwards, he became
head of the Department Integrated Rural Development,
where he has to take care of the integration of cultural
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
and archeological elements and values in land
development projects, archeological management and
heritage schemes.
Abstract :
Unlike commonly accepted this research did not
recognise a succession of three progressive soil forming
processes that can be attributed to „temperate‟ climates
with forest vegetation during the Last Interglacial and
early glacial. Based on field-, and meso- and
micromorphological observations and analytical data
arguments could be found, that contradict the direct
ascription to such climates. Apart from the textural B
horizons, formed during an early Cycle A or last
interglacial s.s., biological activity – whether it is root or
faunal activity – is nearly always limited in depth. Dense
forests with profound rooting seem to be lacking during
following Cycles B, C and D. Hence, stratification and
even textural banding is well preserved. During these
Cycles progressive soil formation is – among other
features - dominated by enchytrid earthworm activity and
accumulation of skeleton grains. The overall climate
during the Cycles B and C during the Early Glacial can
be ascribed as “boreal”. Such a climatic environment
does not exclude clay translocation. Indeed, when soil
moisture regimes were favourable and the required
physico-chemical conditions were present, this process
did occur, especially organo-mineral translocation was
very active during the Cycles B and C of the early
glacial.
In general, the palaeo-environmental evolution during
the last interglacial and early glacial can be described as
an evolution towards drier soil moisture regimes and
colder soil temperature regimes with an increasing
continentalisation. Later, a gradual transition from a
temperate during the Eemian s.s. to boreal climates by
the end of the early glacial is recognised in the soil
profiles. This research stresses that the transition to
climates with a significant seasonal amplitude in soil
moisture, e.g. due to melt water, and more cool soil
temperature regimes, i.e. the “boreal” climates, started
much earlier, than envisaged up to now.
Apart from the chronological evolution, some general
observations and conclusions can be drawn :
Deposition of „undisturbed‟ allochtonous loess or
aeolian sediments during the build-up of the last
interglacial and early glacial pedocomplex was very
limited. As a consequence, „new‟ calcareous sediments
are rare. Therefore, when soil formation of the last
interglacial soil is characterised by prolonged leaching
of the calcareous loess of the penultimate glaciation,
the amount and variety of pedogenic carbonates in the
studied pedocomplexes are very limited.
Although soil erosion during the last interglacial and
early glacial is seen as temporarily active, it is
certainly not a dominant process.
Particular landscape positions favour the formation of
dilated profiles. Bottom slopes, the base of small
depressions, balkas, dry valleys, cuestas, etc. function
as sedimentary traps.
Soil variability does not reflect stratigraphical
complexity. It is thus not unusual to correlate a
humiferous soil from Tönchesberg, situated in the
Eifel, with a leached soil from Koblenz-Metternich,
situated at the bottom slope of the Mosel terrace.
During cold soil temperature regimes, e.g. stadials and
glacials, the presence of more moisture provided
outspoken periglacial soil characteristics. Since during
the last interglacial and beginning of the early glacial
the more humid soil moisture regimes were found near
the Atlantic Coast and in North Western Europe,
periglacial activity during that time interval will create
the best dilated profiles in those regions.
During the second half of the early glacial, less humid
soil moisture regimes prevailed. The best dilatation in
dry environments is associated to the most extreme dry
conditions, limited vegetation and sufficient wind
erosion, which mainly occurred in Kurtak and in
Southwest and Central Europe. During dry soil moisture
regimes, cryogenic features and periglacial soil
characteristics, such as cryogenic desiccation cracks are
generally weakly developed or lacking.
Dr. Okke Batelaan
Present function and address : Part-time
professor and assistant at the department of
Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering,
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Title of Ph.D. thesis : Phreatology : Characterizing
groundwater recharge and discharge using remote
sensing, GIS, ecology, hydrochemistry and
groundwater modeling
Date of promotion : April 14, 2006
Promoter(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. F. De Smedt
Curriculum vitae :
Okke Batelaan (1964, Bussum, NL) received a Master of
Science degree in hydrogeology from the Vrije
Universiteit Amsterdam (1989). In 1987-1988 he worked
for one year on recharge modeling in a desert research
institute in Israel. Since 1989 he coordinates, first
IUPHY, later the IUPWARE MSc programme in Water
Resources Engineering. His research interest lies in GIS
and remote sensing supported hydrological modeling,
especially of groundwater recharge and discharge
areas. Integration of different methodologies is a key
issue; scientific cooperation across the frontiers of
disciplines is his challenge. He has set up, guided and
worked on many groundwater and ecohydrology related
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
projects in Belgium and abroad. He initiated the
development of a Flemish Groundwater Model (VGM).
Cooperation on hydrological modeling lead him many
times to Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary and Czech
Republic) and developing countries, especially Vietnam,
where he participated in two VLIR own-initiatives on
karst areas and co-organized the TRANS-Karst 2004
conference. He teaches in GIS and remote sensing in
water resources engineering, ecohydrology, hydrology
and groundwater hydrology at the Faculty of
Engineering, IUPWARE and Physical Land Resources,
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the Faculty of Bioscience
Engineering, University Antwerp, and the Erasmus
Hogeschool Brussel. He is author or co-author of more
than 100 publications and has guided 80 MSc thesis
students.
Abstract :
Phreatology is a new field of research that is defined as
`The science of the geological, hydrological, biological
and chemical processes at the interface of the phreatic
water with the vadose or surface waters, it focuses on the
part of the surface and subsurface in which over time the
groundwater table and capillary zone reside'. The
concept of phreatology is defined and its
interdisciplinary character is stressed. Methodologies
supporting phreatology are developed and applied to
analyze groundwater discharge areas, and recharge areas.
Tools and techniques from groundwater modelling,
hydrochemistry, vegetation ecology and remote sensing
are used and integrated; GIS technology combines the
approaches. Applications from regional to site level are
given for the Dijle, Demer and Nete catchment, Belgium.
It is concluded that the regional context is often not
explicitly taken into account in the ecohydrological
analysis of wetlands, which hampers the identification
and quantification of regional abiotic factors for
ecohydrological site modelling. The developed spatially
distributed water balance model `WetSpass' shows that
recharge has a complex spatial pattern, depending to a
large extend on the soil texture and land cover. The
identification and delineation of regional groundwater
discharge areas is proven more accurate by using the
SEEPAGE package.
Important consequences for vegetation patterns and
groundwater sampling networks in wetlands are that very
different groundwater fluxes and qualities can be
expected at very short distances. Geochemical processes
in the feeding aquifer and the convergence of flow paths
strongly determine the hydrochemistry of discharging
groundwater. It is the most important factor in the
explanation of the occurrence and spatial distribution
pattern of vegetation types. The synergy of hydrological
modeling, vegetation mapping, hydrochemistry and
remote sensing proves advantageous and reveals
ecological differences in the catchment. The results
contribute to an increased understanding of the
phreatological functioning of the studied areas.
Dr. Vu Thi Minh Nguyet
Present function and address : Hydrogeologist, Senior
Researcher, Karst Research Centre, Research Institute of
Geology and Mineral Resources (RIGMR), Ministry of
Natural Resources and Environment, Thanh Xuan,
Hanoi, Vietnam
Title of Ph.D. thesis : Hydrogeological characterization
and groundwater protection of tropical
mountainous karst areas in NW Vietnam
Date of promotion : May 30, 2006
Promoter(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. F. De Smedt, Dr. N.
Goldscheider (Université de Neuchâtel)
Curriculum vitae :
Vu Thi Minh Nguyet has been employed as a researcher
at the Research Institute of Geology and Mineral
Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment, Vietnam since 1995. She received a
Diplôme de Spécialisation Postgrade en Hydrogéologie
from Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 2004, and
obtained a Master of Science degree in Water Resources
Engineering from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, in
2000
Abstract :
This work aims at better understanding the
hydrogeological characteristics of the tropical karst
regions in Vietnam and providing a scientific basis for
groundwater protection. The study focuses on two major
mountainous areas that belong to the NW karst belt: Son
La and Tam Duong, which mainly consist of thick
Middle Triassic carbonate-rock formations. An
investigation methodology has been applied and adapted
to the conditions of the remote areas, for which little
information is available. The employed methods
included tracer tests, hydrodynamic, hydrochemical and
microbiological monitoring, as well as stable isotope and
rare earth elements studies.
Tracer tests proved underground connections between
several swallow holes and springs in the two test site
areas. The NW-SE and SW-NE faults have a great
influence on the underground drainage patterns. The
flow paths run either across the folds along the SW-NE
faults or follow the NW-SE faults; these flow paths
coincide with the preferential directions of cave
development. Groundwater mixing effects can be
observed in both areas. Hydrochemical data from Son La
show a significant difference in the Mg 2+ and Ca 2+
contents between a swallow hole and a connected spring,
which can be explained by mixing effects. Stable isotope
results further support this observation. The high
stability of karst springs in the Nam La valley (Son La)
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
compared with meteoric water also indicates that this
karst system contains well-mixed groundwater. The
hydrochemical results from the Tam Duong area show a
difference in Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ content between a swallow
hole and a connected spring, which also can be explained
by the mixing effect. The little variation in chemical
content along the flow path compared to the Son La area
may reflect the reduced water-rock interaction in this
karst system. Large karst springs are observed in Son La,
while smaller karst springs occur in Tam Duong. The
results obtained from this study suggest that concentrated
recharge prevails in the Tam Duong area, while the
recharge processes and groundwater flow in the Son La
area appear to be more complicated. There is evidence
for point recharge and conduit flow on one hand, but
also for significant diffuse recharge and flow through
small joints and fractures on the other hand.
Tracer tests in the Son La area gave groundwater flow
velocities ranging from 75 to 166 m/h. These are typical
values for karst aquifers and indicate low-resistance flow
paths. The flow velocities in the Tam Duong area are up
to 700 m/h, which is one of the highest values recorded
in the literature. The two investigated springs near Tam
Duong show a different hydrological and physicalchemical
response on precipitation events. A dilution
effect was observed at one karst spring, while the other
spring displayed a piston effect. The physical-chemical
parameters of all sampled karst water in both areas meet
the WHO standards for drinking water. The REE
concentration levels found in spring water from Tam
Duong are higher than those from other karst areas
reported in the literature but still safe for the health of
the consumers. In contrast, the microbial investigation
revealed that all karst water contain high levels of
thermotolerant coliforms. The contamination shows high
temporal fluctuations and mainly results from untreated
domestic wastewaters, agriculture and other human
activities.
In order to protect the valuable groundwater resources in
Vietnamese karst areas, a simplified methodology for
mapping groundwater vulnerability and contamination
risk was developed and first applied in the test sites. It is
based on a conceptual framework proposed by the
European COST Action 620. The vulnerability map
takes into account the overlying layers and the flow
concentration. The risk map is obtained by a
combination of the vulnerability map and a simplified
hazard assessment. The maps provide a basis for landuse
planning and groundwater protection zoning.
Groundwater protection should be a priority in
vulnerable zones such as swallow holes and along
sinking streams.
Dr. Abdolreza Bahremand
Present function and address : Assistant Professor,
Department of Watershed management, Gorgan
University, Gorgan, Iran
Title of Ph.D. thesis : Simulating the effects of
reforestation on floods using spatially distributed
hydrologic modeling and GIS
Date of promotion : September 1, 2006
Promoter(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. F. De Smedt
Curriculum vitae :
Abdolreza Bahremand was born in Iran in 1972. He
obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in 1995 and his
Master of Science degree in Watershed Management
Engineering in 1997, both from Tehran University. After
graduating he worked as an engineer for the Iranian
watershed management and soil conservation research
center for 2 years in Tehran and then for the Natural
Resources Central Office in Kerman (Iran) for 3 years
(1999-2002), accompanied by 2 years as a lecturer and
member of the academic staff at Azad University, Baft
(Iran). In 2002 he was awarded a scholarship by the
Iranian Ministry of Science to do his PhD in order to be
promoted to the academic staff of Gorgan University
upon completion.
Abstract :
Flood as one of the worst natural disasters can among
other facts be affected by land use changes. Land use and
land cover are changing year by year due to the ever -
growing population and economy. The various types of
land cover and land use have significant roles and
impacts on runoff and flood; but how and to what extent
is not clear and highly uncertain. Considering the
advancement of simulation of hydrologic processes by
distributed modeling applying GIS tools and using some
remote sensing information, assessing these effects has
increasingly become feasible in recent years. Computer
simulation modeling has been used for at least 35 years
to study the effects of land-use changes within
catchments. The models are becoming more capable for
flood prediction, land-use impacts on floods, and
decision making in watershed management. The main
objective of this PhD thesis is to investigate and to assess
the impacts of land use changes (particularly
reforestation) on floods by means of distributed
modeling and GIS. A grid-based spatially distributed
hydrologic model, WetSpa, which is developed at the
Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering of
VUB, is used in this research to fulfill the aim. The
hydrologic processes considered in the model are
precipitation, interception, depression, surface runoff,
infiltration, evapotranspiration, percolation, interflow,
groundwater flow, and water balance in the root zone
and the saturated zone. The basic model inputs are a
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
digital elevation model (OEM), land use and soil maps
of the study area in GIS raster format, and
hydrometeorological data. The model combines these
data within GIS, and predicts flood hydrograph and the
spatial distribution of hydrologic characteristics in a
watershed. The WetSpa model uses a modified rational
method to calculate runoff and degree-day coefficient
method to estimate the snow melt runoff based on
temperature data. The runoff is routed through the basin
along flow paths using a diffusive wave transfer model
that enables to calculate response functions between any
start and end point, depending upon slope, flow velocity
and dissipation characteristic along the flow lines. The
model is applied to the Hamad river basin (4262 km²)
and its main sub-catchments. The Homad River located
in Slovakia, is one of the main tributaries of the Tisza
River. Daily hydrometeorological data from 1991 to
2000, including precipitation data from 44 stations,
temperature data from 14 stations and evaporation data
measured at 4 stations were used as input data to the
model. Three base maps, i.e. DEM, land-use and soil
types were prepared in GIS form using 100 x 100 m cell
size. Results of the simulations show a good agreement
between calculated and measured hydrographs at the
outlet of the basin and also in its main sub-basins. The
model predicts the daily hydrographs with a good
accuracy, between 75 to 80% according to the Nash-
Sutcliffe criteria. For assessing the impact of land-use
changes on floods, the calibrated model is applied for
three reforestation scenarios using the hourly data of the
summer of 2001. In the first reforestation scenario, the
forest area is increased by 23%. The second scenario
assumes that forest will increase by 38%, and for a third
reforestation scenario it is assumed that forest will
increase by 51 %. The model results show that the 51 %
reforestation scenario decreases the peak discharge by
12%. Also, the time to peak of the simulated hydrograph
of the reforestation scenario is 9 hours longer than for
the present land-use. The results show that the effect of
land cover on flood is strongly related to storm
characteristics and antecedent soil moisture. A test using
3 rain scenarios demonstrates how the effect of the
reforestation scenario differs from one storm to another
depending upon the storm amount and duration.
Moreover, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of the
model parameters is performed using a modelindependent
parameter estimator, PEST. It is found that
the correction factor for calculating the actual
evapotranspiration from potential evaporation has the
highest relative sensitivity.
Dr. Daan Beheydt
Present function and address : Researcher,
VITO, Flemish Institute for Technological
Research, IMS – Integrated Environmental
Studies; Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol,
Belgium
Title of Ph.D. thesis : Nitrous oxide emission from
agricultural soils: experimental approach and
simulation
Date of promotion : September 26, 2006
Promoter(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. P. Boeckx
Curriculum vitae :
Daan Beheydt was born in Belgium in 1979 and
obtained his master degree Bio-engineer in
Environmental Technology in 2002 and his Master after
Master degree in Environmental Sciences and
Technologies in 2003 at Ghent University. In 2006 he
finished his doctoral training in the Applied Biological
Sciences. From September 2002 till June 2006 he was
connected to the Laboratory of Applied Physical
Chemistry (Faculty Bioscience Engineering) at the
Ghent University. During this period he worked on the
project ‘Carbon sequestration in different Belgian
terrestrial ecosystems: quantification and strategic
exploration (CASTEC)’ for BELSPO (Belgian Science
Policy). Since June 2006 he is connected as expert to the
Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO).
Abstract :
The rapid increase in atmospheric concentration of
several greenhouse gases (GHG) resulted in a growing
concern about the human contribution to and the possible
consequences of this increase. Though a lot of important,
climatologic questions remain still unanswered,
measuring and modeling results indicate that this
increase can have important impacts on ecological,
economic and sociological levels. To be able to reduce
these GHG emissions efficiently, it is important to
determine the size and the sources of the emissions under
consideration.
In this PhD two major parts can be distinguished: an
experimental and a simulation part. In the experimental
part two specific questions within the framework of
GHG reduction by sustainable carbon sequestration in
the soil, more specifically concerning the effects of (soil)
carbon on nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and vice versa, were
investigated. In the second part focus was laid on N 2 O
itself and an inventory of direct N 2 O emissions from
agricultural soils in Flanders was made using a processbased
model (DNDC).
The first questions concerns the fact that after
application of glucose, manure… to soil, soil carbon can
increase or decrease. Measurements of these changes and
the allocation to the different sources or sinks are
difficult using common measuring methodologies. Stable
isotopes should allow to measure these changes.
Addition of cattle manure to different soils, however,
resulted in several measuring problems (interference of
N 2 O and carbonates) which were addressed in this work.
Conversion of conventional tilled to no, minimum or
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
reduced tilled soils are often promoted as options to
increase the carbon content of the soil and thus reduce
the net GHG emissions. However, these conversions
affect the structure of the soil and thus also the N 2 O
emissions. The size of this effect is unknown for Belgian
soils. Therefore N 2 O emissions from two minimum tilled
soils were measured during approximately 1 year.
Measured losses were larger than from a conventional
tilled soil though this difference could not be solely
assigned to the tillage effect.
At this moment, about 1/3 of the reported total
anthropogenic N 2 O emissions from Flanders are
attributed to losses from agricultural soils. Regional N 2 O
emissions are, however, based on simple models (fixed
emissions factors or regression models). The large
variability of factors influencing the N 2 O emissions are
as such neglected. Process-based models give the
opportunity to take this variability into account. Based
on N 2 O emission measurements from agricultural soils in
Belgium, a relationship between measured and simulated
values (FASSET and DNDC model) was established.
Both models were also mutually compared. The DNDC
model comprises a regional modus which was used,
together with the formerly mentioned relationship
between measured and simulated values, to determine
the direct N 2 O emissions from the nine most important
crops in Flanders.
Dr. Zuilen Louise Francis
Present function and address : Anton de Kom
Universiteit, Leysweg, University Complex, Paramaribo,
Surinam
Title of Ph.D. thesis : Planning of an integrated solid
waste management system in Suriname : a case study
in Greater Paramaribo with focus on households
Date of promotion : May 31, 2006
Promoter(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. H. Verplancke
Curriculum vitae :
Dr. Louise Zuilen was born on September 13, 1960 in
Paramaribo, Suriname. She graduated from the Anton
De Kom University of Suriname, Faculty of Technology,
with a Licentiate in Mining in 1986. In 1990, she
obtained the M.Sc. in Engineering Geology at the Free
University of Brussels (VUB), Belgium, and in 1994 an
M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering from the State
University of Utrecht, Faculty of Geosciences in the
Netherlands. Since then, she is attached to the Anton de
Kom Universiteit in Paramaribo, Suriname.
Abstract :
The Government of Suriname, particularly the Ministry
of Public Works – Department of Waste Collection and
Disposal, has serious problems in managing the solid
waste streams produced. Waste collection and disposal
not only cost our society a lot of money, but also create
environmental problems. Increasing cost and
environmental problems are ascribed to increasing waste
streams resulting from the growing import economy,
urbanization, the fast expanding of Paramaribo, the lack
of recycling facilities, and the uncontrolled dumping of
waste. Our static waste management system could not
keep up pace with these dynamic socio-economic
developments. Although the government has tried to
upgrade the waste collection services, the results are not
promising. The failure to manage the solid waste streams
has been caused by a number of distortions, such as:
- corruption
- lack of data and waste stream quantity. Owing to
this the government can not formulate a clear waste
policy.
- lack of finance to implement waste management
projects
- lack of planning concerning waste management,
because of this the activities of the Ministry have a
ad-hoc character without any approved success.
- the government is the only responsible for waste
management, other stakeholders are not involved
and therefore they do not feel responsible and are
not motivated to participate in waste projects.
- lack of updated legislation and enforcement to
sanction polluters.
- lack of (management of) equipment
- lack of adequate disposal facilities: waste is
dumped in open pits which pollute the environment
and form a risk for human health. Also waste is
dumped commingled and is becoming more toxic.
- inadequate waste collection leading to illegal
burning and disposal resulting in unhygienic
situations and health risk in problem areas.
It is clear, Suriname–Greater Paramaribo is in need of an
improved waste management. It is not always money or
equipment that provide solutions, but rather changing
social, institutional, legal or political conditions. The
introduction of a sustainable integrated waste
management system can be the root to the solution of our
waste problem. In Suriname there exists a lacuna with
respect to a comprehensive study on integrated waste
management; therefore, it is important to gain knowledge
and insight in the potential of this system.
To manage our current waste effectively and to plan the
future, the government needs to understand both the
existing waste stream and its possibility for resource
recovery. This approach was chosen as a study case for
this doctoral thesis exploring the potential of an
integrated solid waste management and to provide
information how it can be applied in Suriname in order
to reach sustainable development.
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
The main purpose of this research was to suggest
mechanisms to strengthen the waste management
practices in Greater Paramaribo. Other objectives of this
study were:
- to carry out a comprehensive waste characterization
study for Greater Paramaribo and lay the
foundation for extending this work to other areas
and sectors in the country.
- to build local capacities to deal with waste
management
- to explore possibilities of resource recovery of
waste with adapted technologies (recycling,
composting, energy from waste)
- to disseminate information about an integrated
solid waste management system.
This study was the first of this magnitude and can be
used as a baseline for further waste studies. It
encompassed gathering data (quantity and composition)
from residential waste stream throughout Greater
Paramaribo. Between 2002 and 2004 data were collected
at the waste generation site (households) using the
„direct sampling method‟; supported by „time and motion
survey‟ of waste collection vehicle and „social
environmental survey‟ at the disposal site in 2005. For
study purposes, Greater Paramaribo was divided into
high-, medium- and low- income areas, and based on
socio-economic and demographic features four study
areas were chosen to ensure adequate representation of
the research. The waste characterization study divided
each waste sample into 18 individual materials, grouped
into six main material classes: compostables (organic
kitchen waste), paper, plastics, glass, metals, and others.
In addition the study was designed to determine an
estimate of the amount of waste that can be recycled and
composted. This information is needed to calculate the
recycling rate. Also data were gathered to provide
insight into a key question: can energy from waste be
generated to satisfy the energy demand of Suriname?
In summary, the study provides some views:
1. household solid waste generation of the Greater
Paramaribo is high, 0.47 kg/capita/day with a
maximum yearly increase of 3.9%. The waste
composition results showed that compostables and
plastics offer excellent opportunities for
composting and recycling. The compostables
represent the largest share (61%) and plastics
comprised the second largest share (8-12%).
2. the study identified that efficient collection
coverage for all household solid waste in Greater
Paramaribo can be achieved by the input of 9
compactor trucks and 12 open trucks, each with a
capacity of 9 T. The associated cost for waste
collection varies between US$ 18-26 per ton.
3. the results indicated that a landfill (not an open
dump) will generate 9-14 GWh energy per year and
avoid the release of 13-20 x 10 3 Ton CH 4 annually
(equivalent to CO 2 ). Producing electricity from
incineration will result in the generation of 140-217
GWh energy. This study illustrates that there is a
positive impact on green house gas emission but the
energy generated is not sufficient to meet local
demands. Further economic and technical studies
are needed for a detailed assessment.
4. the estimated recycling rate is calculated to be
17%. The study indicated that based on HSW data,
1 Ton of plastic (HDPE and PET) can be recycled
and 11 ton of kitchen waste can be composed daily.
Despite the positive prospect of this recovery
system, implementation depends on some important
conditions such as the collection program, public
education and participation, market and cost for
recycling/composting.
5. the compost quality test showed that the compost,
produced with the compost bin method must be
cured for some time more to meet safety standards.
To have better germination results the compost
must be mixed with other organic material such as
soil before application.
6. people in Paramaribo burn a lot of waste although
the collection service attends the collection areas
twice a week. An estimate of open burning of 1,044
Ton per year was calculated. The annual emission
load due to TSP and CO (39 T/y and 40 T/y) are
observed to be the highest amongst the other
pollutants namely NO x (3 T/y), PM 10 (18 T/y),
VOC (4 T/y) and SO 2 (0.5 T/y).
Based on the data above and evaluation of the current
waste management system a sustainable solid waste
management (SWM) is advised for the improvement of
our SWM. SWM is complex; therefore, it is appropriate
to use a sustainable integrated approach that recognizes
the various stakeholders;, activities (appropriate
technologies) and perspectives (legal, institutional,
financial) involved. This improved system must be
appropriate to the local conditions and feasible from a
technical, environmental, social, economic, financial,
institutional and political perspective. Therefore the
following waste hierarchy system is advised for long
term development for the country: at the top waste
minimalization followed by recycling; composting and
landfilling at the bottom as the main disposal method.
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STUDENTS, RESEARCH FELLOWS & TRAINEES
New Ph.D. students 2006-2007
Mr. Rachid Moussadek (Morocco)
Ir. Agronomy (IAV Hassan II)
Subject : The role of conservation agriculture in
changing soil quality of Vertisols (Tirs) in Morocco
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. E. Van Ranst
Period : from January 2006 till January 2010
Scholarship : BTC
Ms. Xue Dongmei (P.R. China)
Master Environmental Science and Technology, 2006, VUB
Subject : Isotope Biogeochemistry : Development and evaluation of a
classification model to identify nitrate sources in groundwater
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. Pascal Boeckx
Period : from November 1, 2006 till October 31, 2010
Scholarship : IWT project
SPECIAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES PHYSICAL LAND RESOURCES
2006-2007
Mr. Gebregzaibher Solomon
Mekelle University, Ethiopia
From : October 20, 2005 till November 20, 2005
Fellowship : VLIR
Subject : Training on Soil Physics and Soil Mechanics, in the frame of
appropriate farm technology for Vertisol management project
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. H. Verplancke
Mr. Ilhan Alp
Dept. of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University,
Turkey
From : August 1, 2006 till September 30, 2006
Fellowship : private means
Subject : Detachment of sand and soil under wind-driven rain
conditions
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. D. Gabriels, Dr. ir. W. Cornelis
Prof. Ahmed M. Kamal M. Kotb
Professor of Hydrogeology, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University,
Egypt
From : September 2006 till February 2007
Fellowship : Mission Department, Egyptian Government
Subject : Research on Study of controlling factors affecting
groundwater in Wadi Al Farigh and Wadi Al Natrun, West Delta
Egypt, set-up of a strategy for locating groundwater occurrence and
fertile soils using landsat images, in the southern hemisphere,
detection of salt-water intrusion and studying it's environmental
effects in the northern Egyptian coast, remote sensing and geophysical
exploration data for tracing old deltas and paleochannels and their
effects on the water strategy and environmental impact for
development in the western desert of Egypt
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. F. De Smedt
Mr. Sagun Caglar
Dept. of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University,
Turkey
From : August 1, 2006 till September 30, 2006
Fellowship : private means
Subject : Detachment of sand and soil under wind-driven rain
conditions
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. Ir. D. Gabriels, Dr. Ir. W. Cornelis
Mr. Teklu Daniel
Mekelle University, Ethiopia
From : October 20, 2005 till November 20, 2005
Fellowship : VLIR
Subject : Training on Soil Physics and Soil Mechanics, in the frame of
Appropriate farm technology for Vertisol management project
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. ir H. Verplancke
Prof. Mohsen Abd Elmonem Gameh
Prof. Ahmed Ghallab Mohamed Ibrahim
Dr. Ayman Abdel-Hameed Ahmed Ahmed
Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Youssef Ahmed
Period : August 2006
Subject : Training in GIS
Organised by : Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering
Promotor(s) : Prof. Dr. ir. F. De Smedt
Physical
Land
Resources
- 25 -

PUBLICATIONS
ITC - ICE
Papers
Note that certain copies of papers can be obtained by
request per e-mail to the staff member concerned :
firstname.lastname@UGent.be. Names of staff can be
found at our webpage : http://www.plr.ugent.be
ACHARYA, G., DE SMEDT, F., & LONG, N.T., 2005.
Assessing landslide hazard in GIS: a case study from
Rasuwa, Nepal. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the
Environment, 65: 99-107. Website :
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10064-005-0025-y.
AISH, A. & DE SMEDT, F., 2006. Modeling of a
groundwater mound resulting from artificial recharge in the
Gaza strip, Palestine. In Chival, H., and H. Dwiek (Eds),
Proceedings of the Second Israeli-Palestinian- International
Conference on Water for Life in the Middle East, 10-14
October 2004, Turkey. Israel/ Palestine Center for
Research and Information : 779-786.
BAHREMAND, A., & DE SMEDT, F., 2006. Sensitivity
and uncertainty analysis of a GIS-based flood simulation
model using PEST. WSEAS Transactions on Environment
and Development, 1(2): 29-37.
BAHREMAND, A., DE SMEDT, F., CORLUY, J., LIU,
Y.B., POÓROVÁ, J., VELCICKÁ, L. & KUNIKOVÁ, E.,
2006, Application of WetSpa model for assessing landuse
impacts on floods in Margecany-Hornad watershed,
Slovakia, Water Science and Technology, 53(10): 37-45.
Website : http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11269-006-9089-0
BARRERA-BASSOLS, N., ZINCK, J.A. & VAN RANST,
E., 2006. Local soil classification, comparison of
indigenous and technical soil maps in a Mesoamerican
community using spatial analysis. Geoderma, 135:140-162.
BOECKX, P., VAN MEIRVENNE, M., RAULO, F. &
VAN CLEEMPUT, O., 2006. Spatial patterns of δ 13 C and
δ 15 N in the urban topsoil of Gent, Belgium. Organic
Geochemistry, 37: 1383-1393.
BRUSSELMANNS, E., NUYTTENS D., BAETENS, K.,
GABRIELS, D., CORNELIS, W., VAN DRIESSEN, K. &
STEURBAUT, W., 2005. Windtunnel test with different
tracers and collection techniques for the measurement of
spray drift. Annual Review of Agricultural Engineering, 4,
303-311.
CHEN, M.S., WARTEL, S. & DE SMEDT, F., 2006.
Hydrodynamics and suspended matter load in the Scheldt
estuary (Belgium, the Netherlands). Proceedings of the 5 th
Congress of APD-IAHR, IIT Madras, Chennai, India,
August 7-10, 2006: 253-259.
COOLS, J., MEYUS, Y., WOLDEAMLAK, S.T.,
BATELAAN, O. & DE SMEDT, F., 2006. Large-scale
GIS-based hydrogeological modeling of Flanders: a tool
for groundwater management. Environmental Geology,
50(8): 1201-1209. Website :
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0292-3.
CORNELIS, W.M. & GABRIELS, D., 2005. Optimal
windbreak design for wind-erosion control. J. Arid Env.,
61, 315-332.
CORNELIS, W.M., 2006. Hydroclimatology of wind
erosion in arid environments (Chapter 9). In: P. D'Odorico
and A. Porporato (Eds.), Dryland ecohydrology, Springer.
141-157.
CORNELIS, W.M. & GABRIELS, D., 2005. 25 Years of
Assessment of Erosion – Preface. Catena, 64, 139-141.
CORNELIS, W.M., CORLUY, J., MEDINA, H.,
HARTMANN, R., VAN MEIRVENNE, M. & RUIZ,
M.E., 2006. A simplified parametric model to describe the
magnitude and geometry of soil shrinkage. Eur. J. Soil Sci.,
57, 258-268.
CORNELIS, W.M., JIN, K., SCHIETTECATTE, W. &
GABRIELS, D., 2006. Effects of conservation tillage on
the water balance and yield of winter wheat in the Chinese
loess plateau drylands. In: Martinez-Casasnovas, J.A., Pla
Sentis, I., Concepcion Ramos Martin, M. and Carles
Balasch Solanes (Eds.), J. Soil and water conservation
under changing land use. 12-15 October 2006, Lleida,
Spain. p. 307
CORNELIS, W.M., KHLOSI, M., HARTMANN, R.,
VAN MEIRVENNE, M. & DE VOS, B., 2005.
Comparison of unimodal analytical expressions for the
soil-water retention curve. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 69, 1902-
1911.
CORNELIS, W.M., BOGMAN, P. & GABRIELS, D.,
2006. Prediction of TSP and PM10 emissions from
agricultural operations in Flanders, Belgium. In: Nickling,
W.G., Turner, S., Gillies, J.A. and Puddister, M. (Eds.).
Sixth International Conference on Aeolian Research. 24-28
July 2006, Guelph, Canada. p. 198.
D‟HAENE, K., DE NEVE, S., GABRIELS, D. &
HOFMAN, G., 2006. The influence of 10 years of reduced
tillage on the nitrogen stock and mineralization of soils
under a temperate climate. 281-286.
- 26 -

PUBLICATIONS
DE SCHAMPELEIRE, M., SPANOGHE, S.,
NUYTTENS, D., BAETENS, K., CORNELIS, W. &
GABRIELS, D., 2006. Pesticide contamination of surface
waters by spray drift as affected by the physicochemical
properties of the spray liquid. International Symposium
Agro-Environ 2006, 4-8 September 2006, Ghent, Belgium,
447-452
DHONDT, K., BOECKX, P., VERHOEST, N. HOFMAN,
O. & VAN CLEEMPUT, O., 2005. Assessment of
temporal and spatial efficiency of three adjacent vegetated
riparian buffer zones for groundwater nitrate retention.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 116: 197-215
EL IDRYSY, E. H. & DE SMEDT, F., 2006. Modelling
groundwater flow of the Trifa aquifer, Morocco. Published
online in Hydrogeology journal. Website :
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0080-x
ERNANI, M.Z. & GABRIELS, D., 2005. Climate indices
for Yazd region in Iran. Comm. Appl. Biol. Sci. Ghent
University, 702, 125-129
ERPUL, G., GABRIELS, D. & NORTON, L.D., 2005.
Sand Detachment by Wind-driven Raindrops. Earth
Surface Processes and Landforms, 30, 241-250.
GABRIELS, D., OUESSAR, M., & HEIRMAN, S., 2005.
Effect of soil surface conditions on infiltration and on
sediment transport in the impluvium of a jessr in the Oued
Oum Zessar watershed (south Tunisia). Proceedings of the
Third Project Workshop Sustainable management of
marginal drylands (SUMAMAD), Djerba, Tunisia,
UNESCO SC-2005/WS/45, 51-56.
GABRIELS, D., SCHIETTECATTE, W., OUESSAR, M.,
MANNAERTS, C., CORNELIS, W.M., WU, H.,
VERBIST, K. & CAI, D., 2005. Soil hydrology for
ecohydrology in drylands: examples from Tunisia, China
and Cape Verde Islands. A review. Ecohydrology &
Hydrobiology, 6, 93-103.
GEBREGZIABHER, S., MOUAZEN, A.M., VAN
BRUSSEL, H., RAMON, H., NYSSEN, J.,
VERPLANCKE, H., BEHAILU, M., DECKERS, J. & DE
BAERDEMAEKER, J., 2006. Animal drawn tillage, the
Ethiopian and plough, maresha: A review. Soil & Tillage
Research, 89: 129-143.
HUNG, L.Q., BATELAAN, O. & DE SMEDT, F., 2005.
Lineament extraction and analysis, comparison of
LANDSAT ETM and ASTER imagery. Case study:
Suoimuoi tropical karst catchment, Vietnam. Remote
Sensing for Environmental Monitoring, GIS Applications,
and Geology V, edited by Manfred Ehlers, Ulrich Michel,
Proc. of SPIE Vol. 5983, 59830T: 12 pp. Website :
http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.627699.
KANYANKOGOTE, P., VAN RANST, E., VERDOODT,
A. & BAERT, G., 2005. Effet de lave trachybasaltique
broyée sur les propriétés chimiques de sols de climat
tropical humide. Etude et Gestion des Sols, 12 (4) : 209-
220.
LIU, Y. B., GEBREMESKEL, S., DE SMEDT, F.,
HOFFMANN, L. & PFISTER, L., 2006. Predicting storm
runoff from different land use classes using a GIS-based
distributed model. Hydrological Processes, 20: 533-548.
Website : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hyp.5920.
LOBO LUJÁN, D., GABRIELS, D. & SOTO, G., 2005.
Evaluación de parámetros y procesos hidrológicos en el
suelo. Proceedings of VII ELAFIS, UNESCO, PHI-
VI/Documentos Técnicos en Hidrología, No 71.
LOBO, D., TORROS, D., GABRIELS, D., RODRÍGUEZ,
N. & RIVERO, D., 2006. Effect of organic waste compost
and a water absorbent polymeric soil conditioner
(hydrogel) on the water use efficiency in a Capsicum
annum (green pepper) cultivation. International
Symposium Agro-Environ 2006, 4-8 September 2006,
Ghent, Belgium, 453-458.
MANDIRINGANA, O.T., MNKENI, P.N.S., MKILE, Z,
VAN AVERBEKE, W, VAN RANST, E. &
VERPLANCKE, H., 2005. Mineralogy and fertility status
of selected soils of the Eastern Cape Province, South
Africa. Communications in Soil Science and Plant
Analysis, 36 : 2431-2446
NGUYEN DAI TRUNG, VAN RANST, E., TRAN TAN
VAN, DUSAR, M. & VERDOODT, A., 2006.
Incorporating ethnopedological knowledge in identifying
and classifying local indicators of soil quality for
sustainable land management. Vietnam, Society of Soil
Science (Ed.), Special Issue, 18 th World Congress of Soil
Science, Philadelphia, USA/66-71.
OTTEVAERE, D., GABRIELS, D., & VAN COTTHEM,
W., 2005. Top layer properties for playability of grass
football fields: sampling strategy. Journal of Turfgrass and
Sports Surface Science, 80, 43-59.
PONCE-MENDOZA, A., BOECKX, P., GUTIERREZ-
MICELI, F., VAN CLEEMPUT, O. & DENDOOVEN, L.
2006. Influence of water regime and N availability on the
emission of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide from tropical,
semi-arid soils of Chiapas, Mexico. Journal of Arid
Environments, 64: 137-151.
POÓROVÁ, J. , VELČICKÁ, L., KUNÍKOVÁ, E., DE
SMEDT, F., BAHREMAND, A., CORLUY, J. & LIU, Y.,
2005. Hodnotenie vplyvu využívania krajiny na priebeh
povodní pomocou modelu WetSpa (Assessment of landuse
influence of flood process using WetSpa model).
Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, 53(4): 253-
266.
- 27 -

PUBLICATIONS
RAES, D., CORENS, P., KOWSAR, S.A.,
NOSRATOLLAH, E., & GABRIELS D., 2005. Use of
terraces for soil water conservation in the Gareh Bygone
Plain in southern Iran. Proceedings of the Third Project
Workshop „Sustainable management of marginal drylands
(SUMAMAD), Djerba, Tunisia, UNESCO SC-
2005/WS/45, 41-50.
RIOS BERBER, J.D., OROPEZA MOTA, J.L.,
GABRIELS, D. & LOBO, D., 2006. Effect of canopy
cover and roots of annual crops in relation to soil erosion
and runoff. International Symposium Agro-Environ 2006,
4-8 September 2006, Ghent, Belgium, 73-78.
SAMRAY, H., ERPUL, G., GABRIELS, D., 2006. The
effect of slope aspect on sediment transport by shallow
overland flow under wind-driven rain. Proceedings
International Symposium Agro-Environ 2006, 4-8
September 2006, Ghent, Belgium, 23-28.
SCHIETTECATTE, W., DIAZ, J., CORNELIS, W.M.,
ACOSTA, M.L., D‟HONDT, L., LAUWERS, N.,
ALMOZA, Y., ALONSO, G.R., LEAL, Z., RUIZ, M. &
GABRIELS, D., 2006. Assessment of soil loss using
RUSLE as part of an erosion control program in the Río
Cuyaguateje watershed (Pinar del Río province, Cuba).
International Symposium Agro-Environ 2006, 4-8
September 2006, Ghent, Belgium, 381-386.
SCHIETTECATTE, W., JIN, K., YAO, Y., CORNELIS,
W.M., LU, J., WU, H., CAI, D., VERBIST, K.,
GABRIELS, D. & HARTMANN, R., 2005. Influence of
simulated rainfall on physical properties of a
conventionally tilled loess soil. Catena, 64, 209-221.
SCHIETTECATTE, W., OUESSAR, M., GABRIELS, D.,
TANGHE, S., HEIRMAN, S. & ABDELLI, F., 2005.
Impact of water harvesting techniques on soil and water
conservation: a case study on a micro catchment in
southeastern Tunisia. Journal of Arid Environments, 61,
297-313.
TACK, F.M.G., VAN RANST, E., VANDENBERGHE,
R. & LIEVENS, C., 2006. Soil solution trace metal (Cd,
Cu and Zn) concentrations as affected by short events of
flooding or drought : role of hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn.
Geoderma, 137:83-89
TANG, H., QIU, J., VAN RANST, E. & LI, C., 2006.
Estimations of soil organic carbon storage in agricultural
land of China based on DNDC model. Geoderma,
134:200-206.
VAN DE STEENE, J. & VERPLANCKE, H., 2005.
Adjusted Fick‟s law for gas diffusion in soils contaminated
with petroleum hydrocarbons. European Journal of Soil
Science, 57, 106-121.
VAN DE STEENE, J. & VERPLANCKE, H., 2006.
Estimating diesel degradation rates from N 2 , O 2 and CO 2
concentration versus depth data in a loamy sand. European
Journal of Soil Science.
VAN ROMPAEY, K., VAN RANST, E., VERDOODT,
A. & DE CONINCK, F., 2007. Use of the test-mineral
technique to distinguish simple acidolysis from acidocomplexolysis
in a Podzol profile. Geoderma, 137 (3-4),
293-299.
VAN VOSSELEN A., VERPLANCKE H., VAN RANST
E., 2005. Assessing water consumption of banana:
traditional versus modelling approach. Agricultural Water
Management 74: 201-218
VERDOODT A., VAN RANST E., YE L.,
VERPLANCKE H., 2005. A daily multi-layered water
balance model to predict water and oxygen availability in
tropical cropping systems. Soil Use and Management, 21:
312-321
VERDOODT, A. & VAN RANST, E., 2006.
Environmental assessment tools for multi-scale natural
resources information systems. A case study of Rwanda.
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 114, 170–184.
YOUSSEF, F., ERPUL, G., CORNELIS, W.,
GABRIELS, D. & BOGMAN, P., 2006. Determination of
efficiency of vaseline slide and Wilson and Cooke
Sediment Traps with wind tunnel experiments.
International Symposium Agro-Environ 2006, 4-8
September 2006, Ghent, Belgium, 35-40.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
ACCOUNTING FOR CHANGE OF SUPPORT IN
SPATIAL ACCURACY ASSESSMENT OF
MODELLED SOIL MINERAL PHOSPHOROUS
CONCENTRATION, 2006
Leopold, U., G.B.M. Heuvelink, A. Tiktak, P.A. Finke &
O. Schoumans
Geoderma 130: 368-386. Elsevier
Agricultural activities in the Netherlands cause high
nitrogen and phosphorous fluxes from soil to ground- and
surface water. A model chain (STONE) has been
developed to study and predict the magnitude of the
resulting ground- and surface water pollution under
different environmental conditions. STONE has three main
components, namely: 1) the fertiliser distribution model
CLEAN; 2) the atmospheric transport and deposition
model OPS; and 3) the soil and soil-water quality model
ANIMO. The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy
of the STONE model output by comparing model
- 28 -

PUBLICATIONS
predictions with independent observations, while
accounting for spatial variation and differences in spatial
support. The specific STONE output considered was
mineral phosphorous concentration in the top soil.
Predictions from STONE are made at the block support
and, specifically, for 500x500 m grid cells, whereas the
observations are on a point support. Therefore, aggregation
of the point observations or disaggregation of the STONE
model predictions is needed in order to test the accuracy of
the STONE model. This study used the aggregation route.
Specifically, ordinary and regression block kriging were
used to aggregate the point observations to the block
support. Overall, there was a good correspondence
between the kriged observations and the STONE
predictions, with no evidence of bias in the model
predictions. However, there were meaningful differences
locally, which was partly attributed to the smoothing of the
kriging interpolator. Closer inspection revealed that not all
of the differences could be attributed to measurement
errors in the phosphorous observations and interpolation
errors in the kriged phosphorous maps. Thus, it was
demonstrated that the STONE output suffers from input
and/or model errors. However, quantification of these
errors was restricted by the fairly large interpolation
uncertainty of the kriged phosphorous observations.
Nevertheless, the spatial pattern of error in the STONE
predictions could be partly attributed to combinations of
landuse and soil type.
ACCURACY ASSESSMENT
P. Finke
Heuvelink, G.B.H., P.A. Finke and Ph. Lagacherie. 2006.
In: Dobos, E., Carré, F., Hengl, T., Reuter, H.I., Tóth, G.,
2006. Digital Soil Mapping as a support to production of
functional maps. EUR 22123 EN, 68 pp.
Office for Official Publications of the European
Communities, Luxemburg
This bookchapter presents a methodology for accuracy
assessment of DSM products. The methodology will be
largely based on the existing spatial accuracy assessment
literature, which has been developed in GIS research over
the last decades. We begin by defining the DSM products
for which an accuracy assessment is to be derived. Next we
present accuracy measures for these products and discuss
ways to estimate them. We also discuss stochastic DSM
methods which quantify the accuracy associated with the
resulting maps by means of a predicted accuracy, and
discuss spatial error propagation techniques that allow to
analyse how uncertainties in digital soil maps propagate to
policy-relevant products (i.e., soil functional maps) that use
the soil information as input. We close the chapter with a
discussion and define a research agenda.
P. Finke
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
FAO Publications free from http://www.fao.org
The new edition of the "World reference base for soil
resources 2006. A framework of international
classification, correlation and communication" can be
freely downloaded from :
ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/wsrr103e.pdf.
Another free download from FAO is the "Guidelines for
soil description" :
ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/guidel_soil_descr.pdf. These
guidelines were prepared to assist in the understanding of
nature, properties, dynamics and functions of the soil as
part of the landscape and ecosystem. They contain precise
instructions how to describe the site and the morphology of
a soil in a field. A section is added on the link between soil
descriptions and soil classification.
Check out the publications at the webpages of the FAO
Land and Water development division. Many more
publications are available online, or can be downloaded as
a pdf document : http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/default.stm.
- 29 -

PROJECT PROFILES
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A
CLASSIFICATION MODEL TO IDENTIFY
NITRATE SOURCES IN GROUNDWATER
pollution, for a more effective implementation of
environmental management measures in river basins.
P. Boeckx
October 1, 2006-September 30, 2010
Funded by : IWT
Project collaborators : P. Boeckx (Promote), B. De Baets (Copromoter),
Dongmei X. (Scientific cooperator), J. Botte (Technical
Staff), UGent
Nitrate in surface water is still a serious environmental
problem. In the EU the nitrate directive and the water
framework directive are therefore becoming more and
more important. In Flanders an extensive monitoring
network exists to follow the quality of surface waters. The
aim of this project is to develop a classification model to
identify sources of nitrate in surface waters via stable
isotope signals of nitrate and other physico-chemical
parameters.
P. Boeckx
IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF NITRATE
POLLUTION IN WATER USING ISOTOPIC
MONITORING
November 1, 2006-October 31, 2009
Funded by : European Commission ENV.D1 LIFE
Project collaborators : D. Widory (Promoter, BRGM), P. Boeckx (Copromoter,
UGent), P. Taylor (Co-promoter, IRMM-JRC), J. Bronders
(Co-promoter, VITO)
Current approach to environmental management and
control of water quality regarding nitrate is based on
monitoring concentrations. Chemical data alone do not
permit to establish unambiguously the type, location and
contribution of its different sources in a river basin. In
particular, differentiating urban and agricultural origin is
impossible (even by increasing the number of monitoring
stations or samples). Thus, design and application of
specifically targeted management plans for nitrate control
is improbable.
Research showed the great added value of using isotopes to
precisely distinguish nitrate sources, trace them in water
and quantify their respective contributions. This new
isotope approach inherently provides more information,
but is yet to be fully demonstrated through a suitable longterm
integrated pilot project.
The objective of ISONITRATE is to demonstrate, to
policy makers, the technical/economical feasibility of
integrating the isotope approach as part of characterising
water bodies and analysing pressure and impact of nitrate
A STRATEGY FOR REVIVING THE VITAL
BREADBASKET OF THE DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF CONGO THROUGH
INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY
MANAGEMENT COUPLED TO RESILIENT
GERMPLASM IN CASSAVA-BASED
SYSTEMS
September 1, 2005-August 31, 2010
Funded by : VLIR-UOS
Project collaborators : R. Merckx (Promoter, KUL), P. Boeckx (Copromoter,
UGent)
Various interactions have been taken place between the
various project partners. The present concept note
basically builds also on long-standing relations between
Prof. Kachaka (University of Kinshasa - UNIKIN) and R.
Merckx, as the former did his Ph.D in Leuven in 1994. P.
Boeckx is involved as Flemish partner in a VLIR Own
Initiatives project between Ghent University and UNIKIN
with Prof. P. Mafuka as the local partner. This project is
two-year pilot project on the use of organic matter to
increase the fertility of (horticultural) soil in the urban and
sub-urban region of Kinshasa. Dr. N. Sanginga, the
Director of the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute
(TSBF), based at Nairobi, Kenya, has been a key element
in constructing the current partnerships through various
earlier individual interactions in Leuven, Gent, Kinshasa,
and Bukava in various capacities, including partnerships in
collaborative research, supervision of Ph.D theses, and
lectureships at the Congolese universities.
To improve livelihoods, especially in a country such as the
DRC with its history of neglect and crisis, an integrated
and holistic strategy is essential. The original idea was to
achieve improved livelihoods through development and
dissemination of improved and resilient cropping systems
and through capacity building at national institutes. The
target cropping systems should follow the Balanced
Nutrient Management Systems (BNMS) approach that
addresses short-term nutrient needs and long-term build-up
of essential soil nutrient stocks. A first result of this effort
is a recently started development project, funded by the
United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) operating in Bandundu and Equateur provinces.
In the context of the proposed VLIR project, the existing
partnerships were extended to include members of the
African Network for Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility
(AfNet) from DRC to substantially enhance the research
for development base of above efforts.
P. Boeckx
- 30 -

PROJECT PROFILES
NITROEUROPE-IP
Febraury 1, 2007-February 1, 2011
Funded by : 6 th Framework Programme EU
Project collaborators : O. Van Cleemput (Promoter, UGent), P. Boeckx
(Promoter, UGent)
This integrated project of the EC aims at better quantifying
N 2 O losses from European terrestrial Ecosystems
(www.nitroeurope.eu). Our specific task is to look at the
effect of soil manipulation on N 2 O emissions.
P. Boeckx
MANUAL OF THE SOILS OF THE
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
(DRC)
April 1, 2007-March 31, 2008
Funded by : Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR)
Project collaborators : Eric VAN RANST, Ann VERDOODT (Laboratory
of Soil Science, UGent, Belgium), Geert BAERT (Hogeschool Gent,
Belgium), Michel NGONGO LUHEMBWE (University of Lubumbashi,
DRC)
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), no
appropriate textbooks on the soils of the country are
available. The VlIR has provided funding for the
elaboration of a handbook on the soils of the DRC, which
will consist of two volumes.
The first volume, entitled „Investigation and Management
of Soils in the Democratic Republic of Congo‟, will
describe the soils of DRC in a detailed manner: (1) their
genesis; (2) their physical, chemical, biological and
morphological properties; and (3) the different options for
their management and utilisation. This book thus combines
the theoretical foundations of a soil science textbook with
the focus of an applied approach. Special attention will be
given to (1) the highly weathered soils of the lowland
(Central Basin of DRC) and the surrounding upland soils,
both including vast areas of the sandy soils; (2) the
volcanic soils in eastern Congo; (3) the alluvial soils of the
Congo river and its tributaries; and (4) the Vertisols and
sodic & saline soils in eastern (rift valley) and southeastern
(Katanga) DRC.
The second volume, entitled „Description of
Representative Soil Profiles‟ will present detailed
morphological descriptions and physico-chemical data of
representative soils of DRC developed on different parent
materials and characterised by different degrees of
weathering. The data is available at the Laboratory of Soil
Science - UGent, in numerous soil survey reports from the
National Institute for Agricultural Research in Congo
(INEAC), carried out during the period 1945-1960, and
those elaborated by the Laboratory of Soil Science - UGent
(1960-present) in different agro-ecological zones of DRC.
The soils will be classified according to the INEAC,
USDA Soil Taxonomy and WRB soil classification
systems. The spatial distribution of the soils will be
presented on soil maps of DRC.
The manual will be very useful for students, lecturers,
professional soil scientists, ecologists, environmentalists,
agronomists, …. The books will be published in French,
printed in DRC, and made available for the students of the
different universities and libraries in the country at a very
economical price.
E. Van Ranst
- 31 -

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED
PROMOTIONS-AWARDS
Ph.D promotions
on Representative Rice Cultivation Areas in the Mekong
Delta, Vietnam" under the promotorship of Prof. Dr. ir. H.
Verplancke. Em. Prof. Dr. ir. M. De Boodt presented the
prize at the occasion of the proclamation ceremony held
for all students graduating from the Faculty of Bioengineering,
Ghent University.
In the fall of 2006, Dr.
Sampson Agyin-Birikorang
(M.Sc. PLR, 2003) promoted
with a Ph.D. degree from the
University of Florida in the
USA. He majored in Soil
Chemistry and has a minor in
Statistics. He was adjudged
the most outstanding Ph.D.
graduate of the Soil and Water
Science Department, In view
of that, he obtained the Sam
Polston Scholarship, which is a one-year post-doctoral
fellowship for research at the University of Florida.
Dr. Sanjay Lamsal (M.Sc. PLR, 2002)
likewise promoted in the fall of 2006 at
the University of Florida with a Ph.D. in
the field of soil and water science
CAREER MOVES
Prize De Boodt-Mazelis for most outstanding
graduate student
During the Academic Year 1990-1991, on the occasion of
the first promotion of the Master of Science Programme in
Eremology (desert science), a prize was founded by the
family De Boodt-Maselis to award yearly the most
outstanding graduate student of the M.Sc. programme in
Eremology. Since 1998-1999, this prize is awarded to the
most outstanding student of the M.Sc. programme, who's
thesis contributed to the studies of Physical Land
Resources. The price consists of a sum of 1,000 € and a
certificate.
Last year, the prize has been awarded
to Ms. Nguyen Minh Phuong, born
on July 7, 1979 in Bac Lieu
(Vietnam), because of her
outstanding scholarly prestations
during her studies at Ghent
University (2004-2006). Ms. Phuong
graduated for Physical Land Resources
with the major Soil Science with Great Distinction.
She completed her M.Sc. thesis "Physical Soil Degradation
Dr. Dian Fiantis (M.Sc. Soil Science, 1995, Ph.D. UPM-
UGent, 2000) from University of Andalas, Padang,
Indonesia, has been appointed as an assistant to the Vice
Rector for cooperation. She has also been assigned the
position of Secretary of the Research and Extension
Service, Faculty of Agriculture, head of the Multimedia
Service of the postgraduate school and secretary of
department.
VISITORS
April 5, 2006 : Dr. Eric Boschker from the Netherlands
Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) paid a scientific visit
to the Laboratory of Applied Physical Chemistry, UGent.
May 10, 2006 : Dr. Changcheng Li from the University of
New Hampshiremade a study visit at the Laboratory of
Applied Physical Chemistry, UGent on modeling of
greenhouse gas emission.
May 13-17, 2006 : Prof. Dr. Esmat Keheila from the Assiut
University, Egypt visited the Department of Hydrology and
- 32 -

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED
Hydraulic Engineering, the Department of Geology and the
Department of Geography of the VUB Brussels.
Purpose of the visit :
1. design of curriculum and teaching materials of MSc
2. review of system and experience in the modular course
structure of MSc
3. visit of library and GIS labs
4. review of required software for analysis, processing
and modeling of water resources
5. planning of visits to Egypt for the GIS workshops
6. planning of retraining of Egyptian staff and graduate
students
7. schedule of new MSc program and design of MSc
modules and credit point system (ECTS).
The visit took place in the frame of the Tempus Program
CD_JEP-32005-2004 MEGWRM – Master of Science in
Applied Environmental Geosciences and Water Resources
Management, coordinated by Prof. Peter Wycisk, Martin-
Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, and in cooperation
with Prof. Dr. Esmat Keheila.
August 1-5, 2006 : Prof. Dr. Roberto Godoy and Prof.
Carlos Oyarzun from the Universidad Austral de Chile,
visited the Laboratory of Applied Physical Chemistry,
Ugent in the frame of a bilateral project/workshop.
FROM THE OLD BOX
was badly sick in bed (ed. : Mr. Banaei passed away last
year, see former issue of Pedon). It must also be mentioned
that Dr A. Moameni (Ph.D. ITC-Ghent, 1999), who is now
heading the Soil Survey Division of the Institute, gave a
big hand in finalizing the map and more important
finishing the book, on “The Soils of Iran, New
Achievements in Perception, Management and Use”
completing the soil map. The last book on “Soils of Iran”
dates back from almost 45 years ago, edited by another
ITC alumnus, Mr J. Famuri (M.Sc. ITC-Ghent, 1967), and
Dr Dewan (FAO expert in Iran).
Comunicated by : Dr. Abbas Farshad, Department of Earth Systems
Analysis (ESA), International Institute for Geo-Information and Earth
Observation (ITC-Enschede)
OBITUARY
Mr. Theo De Cock was born on May 30, 1932. He passed
away on July 2, 2006. The older alumni will remember
Theo mostly from the
field work (survey).
From 1980 till his
retirement in 1992, he
also took care of the
students' files and
registration. At any
time, the students could
drop in his office and
found a listening ear
and helping hand for
sorting out any
problems they might have administrative and other. Theo,
who became ill two years ago, reached the age of 74.
1988 : Iranian Soil Surveyors in Gonbad, Northern Iran, with Prof.
Tavernier (founder and director of ITC from 1963-1985) amidst them
(standing, 6 th from left). Amongst them Mr. Reza Khoshfetrat, M.Sc.
ITC-Ghent 1979 (standing 3 rd from left), Mr. Parwiz Shyestek, M.Sc.
ITC-Ghent 1968 (sitting 2 nd from right). Standing right from Prof.
Tavernier is Mr. Banaei, M.Sc. ITC-Ghent, 1970
Mr. Banaei (M.Sc. ITC-Ghent, 1970) supervised the soil
survey. He headed the Soil Survey Division at the Soil and
Water Research Institute of Iran for several years, before
he was nominated as the director deputy of the Institute. In
this position, he was very successful and did lots of good
things, the last one of which was the soil map of Iran at 1:1
million scale, that was finished and shown to him when he
Theo in the field with students (back row, 3 rd from left). Also in this
picture : Prof. Dr. Eric Van Ranst (back row, 2 nd from left) and ir.
Dominique Langouche (front row, 2 nd from right). Picture received from
Dr. André Louis (back row, 4 th from left).
- 33 -

MEETINGS
ATTENDED MEETINGS
science to other fields, particularly the geosciences. It
reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of many
scientific fields in the 21 st Century.
18 th World Congress of Soil Science
Philadelphia, USA, July 9-15, 2006
Modelling of pedogenesis
Orléans, France, October 2-4, 2006
A. Verdoodt
State of the art workshop in modelling the formation of
soils at the pedon and the soilscape scale in relation to
climate change, human impacts on the landscape such as
erosion and re-allotment. Oral presentations, posters and
software demo's. Information : http://soilmodelworkshop.orleans.inra.fr
P. Finke
FUTURE MEETINGS
With the World Congress of Soil Science theme “Frontiers
of Soil Science: Technology and the Information Age”, the
scientific program focused on soil science advances with
an emphasis on remote sensing, geographic information
systems, landscape analysis, state-of-the-art molecular
scale analytical techniques, environmental soil biology,
plant/soil interface processes, computer and computational
modelling of soil processes and reactions, precision
agriculture, and other applications of information science
and technology.
The technical program included over 2700 oral and poster
presentations, which Divisions, Commissions and Working
Group convenors/co-convenors had assembled into 83 oral
and poster symposia. There were also IUSS Council
Meetings and Division, Commission, and Working Group
Business Meetings during the week. The 18 th World
Congress brought together over 2,000 soil scientists from
all over the globe, presenting thousands of posters and
hundreds of oral papers.
The event focussed attention on the fact that, in our
modern society, soil is often overlooked despite its
significant effects on human life. Soil health has huge
implications in agriculture, and in the feeding of the
planet‟s inhabitants. Soil contaminated with metals, such as
lead, have a direct impact on human health. From an
environmental standpoint, soil is absolutely critical. Soil
scientists have a tremendous challenge, not only
environmentally and in the production of food, but also in
awareness rising and in the formulation of soil policy
guidelines.
In addition to raising soil science awareness globally, the
congress also focuses strongly on the linkage of soil
April 9-11, 2007 : Map Middle East Conference, Dubai,
EMIRATES. Information : website :
http://www.mapmiddleeast.org, email : secretariat
info@mapmiddleeast.org.
April 15-18, 2007 : Carbon in peatlands, Wageningen,
NETHERLANDS. Information : website :
http://www.peatnet.siu.edu, email :
carbonconference07@WUR.nl
April 15-21, 2007 : 17 th International Conference on
Phosphorus Chemistry, Xiamen, CHINA. Information :
email : yfzhao@xmu.edu.cn.
April 21-23, 2007 : III Asian Conference on Unsaturated
Soils, Nanjing, CHINA. Information : website :
http://www.geohohai.com/news/english/0611151428536F5
5IE1E1F227E6I.shtml.
April 25-27, 2007 : 3 rd International Exhibition &
Scientific Congress on Geodesy, Mapping, Geology,
Geophysics, Cadaster GEO-SIBERIA 2007, Novosibirsk,
RUSSIA, Information : website :
http://www.geosiberia.ssga.ru/, email : Ms. Argina
Novitskaya oms_ssga@mail.ru.
April 29-May 2, 2007 : International agrichar initiative
2007 conference, Terrigal, New South Wales,
AUSTRALIA. Information : website :
http://www.iaiconference.org, email : US :
dedebbiereed@yahoo.com, Australia :
Adriana@biomass.com.au.
May 7-10, 2007 : the 9 th International Symposium on In
Situ and on-site Bioremediation. Baltimore, MARYLAND.
Information : website :
- 34 -

MEETINGS
http://www.battelle.org/environment/er/conferences/biosy
mp/default.stm.
May 8-10, 2007 : World Agricultural Forum, World
Congress, St. Louis, USA. Information : website :
http://www.worldagforum.org.
May 15-18, 2007 : ISPRS WG VI/4 Joint 5 th Taipei
International Digital Earth Symposium "TIDES 2007",
Taipei, TAIWAN. Information : website :
http://deconf.pccu.edu.tw/2007/en-info.htm, email :
secretariat : derc@mail.pccu.edu.tw, Tuan-chih Chen :
profchen@ms13.hinet.net.
May 21-23, 2007 : 75 th IFA Annual Conference – Istanbul,
TURKEY. Information : website :
http://www.fertilizer.org. email : ifa@fertilizer.org.
May 21-23, 2007 : 4 th International Conference on
Sustainable Water Resources Management, Kos,
GREECE. Information : website :
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2007/waterresources
07/index.html.
May 21-25, 2007 : IFDC – Agribusiness Information
Points and Market Information Systems, Kigali,
RWANDA. Information : website : http://www.ifdc.org.
email : hrd@ifdc.org.
May 22-27, 2007 : Eco Summit 2007. Ecological
Complexity and Sustainability : Challenges and
Opportunities for 21 st Century's Ecology, Beijing, CHINA.
Information : website :
http://www.ecosummit2007.elsevier.com/.
May 24-26, 2007 : Zinc Crops 2007 – Improving Crop
Production and Human Health Istanbul, TURKEY.
Information : website : http://www.zinc-crops.org.
May 28-30, 2007 : 15 th Nitrogen workshop, Lleida,
SPAIN. Information : website :
http://www.nitrogen15workshop.udl.es.
May 29-June 1, 2007 : ISPRS – WG 1/5, IV/3 Workshop
"High Resolution Earth Imaging for Geospatial
Information", Hannover, GERMANY. Information :
website : http://www.ipi.uni-hannover.de, email : Karsten
Jacobsen : karsten@ipi.uni-hannover.de, Christian Heipke
: heipke@ipi.uni-hannover.de.
June 2-7, 2007 : 44 th Annual meeting of the clay minerals
society, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Information :
website :
http://www.clays.org/home/HomeAnnualMeeting.html
June 3-7, 2007 : 2007 Canadian Society of Soil Science
Annual Meeting, joint meeting with l'Association
québécoise des spécialistes en sciences du sol, Quebec,
CANADA. Information : website : http://www.aqsss.com.
June 4-7, 2007 : 27 th EARSEL Symposium on
Geoinformation in Europe, Bolzano, ITALY. Information :
website : http://milano.irea.cnr.it/EARSeL/index.html,
email : Mario Gomarasca : gomarasca.m@irea.cnr.it.
June 6-8, 2007: 2nd International Conference on Managing
Rivers, Kuching, Sarawak, MALAYSIA. Information :
website : http://rivers07.eng.usm.my/, email :
rivers2007@gmail.com, redac@eng.usm.my.
June 7-9, 2007 : 15th International Conference on
Environmental Bio-indicators, Kowloon, HONG KONG.
Information : website :
http://www.InformaLearning.com/EBI.
June 10-13, 2007 : International Humic Substances
Society, 11 th Nordic – Baltic Symposium. Joersuu,
FINLAND. Information : website :
http://www.ihss.gatech.edu/.
June 11-15, 2007 : 10 th International Symposium on Soil
and Plant Analysis, Budapest, HUNGARY. Information :
website : http://www.spcouncil.com/symposium.htm.
June 18-20, 2007 : 2 nd International Symposium on Trace
Elements and Health, Helsinki, FINLAND. Information :
website : http://viikki.helsinki.fi/tracel2007/welcome.htm.
June 25-29, 2007 : 32 nd International Symposium on
Remote Sensing of Environment : "Sustainable
Development through Global Earth Observations with
ISPRS WG VII/6 special session, San Jose, COSTA
RICA. Information : website : http://www.symposia.org,
email : Chiyo Yamashita-Gill : chiyo@ag.arizona.edu, Jie
Shan : jshan@ecn.purdue.edu.
June 25-30, 2007 : 5 th International Congress of the
European Society for Soil Conservation, Palermo, ITALY.
Information : website : http://www.esscpalermocongress.it,
email : dazzi@unipa.it.
July 3-6, 2007 : Pedofract, Madrid, SPAIN. Information :
website :
http://www.etsia.upm.es/gruposinv/pedofract/eng/index.ht
m
July 15-19, 2007 : 9 th International Conference on the
Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, Beijing, CHINA.
Information : http://www.conference.ac.cn/icobte.htm and
http://www.conferencenet.org/conference/icobte.html
July 16-19, 2007 : International Symposium on Organic
Matter Dynamics in Agrosystems. Poitiers, FRANCE.
Information : website :
http://www.inra.fr/Symposium_OMD_2007, email : Dr.
Abad Chabbi abad.chabbi@lusignan.inra.fr.
- 35 -

MEETINGS
July 16-20, 2007 : 30 th International Conference on
Solution Chemistry, Perth, AUSTRALIA. Information :
email : Prof. Glenn Hefter : g.hefter@murdoch.edu.au.
July 17-19, 2007 : International symposium on organic
matter dynamics in Agro-Ecosystems, Poitiers, FRANCE.
Information : e-mail : abad.chabbi@lusignan.inra.fr
July 21-25, 2007 : SWCS 2007 Annual Conference
"Conservation Challenges in a changing landscape".
Tampa, FLORIDA. Information : website :
http://www.swcs.org/en/swcs_international_conferences/20
07_annual_conference/.
July 23-27, 2007 : IGARSS2007 Sensing and
Understanding our Planet, Barcelona, SPAIN. Information
: website : http://www.igarss07.org/.
August 12-18, 2007 : World Water Week, Stockholm,
SWEDEN. Information : website :
http://www.worldwaterweek.org/
August 13-15, 2007 : International Conference on Karst
Hydrogeology and Ecosystems. Bowling Green, USA.
Information : website :
http://hoffman.wku.edu/karst2007/k2007.html, email :
karst2007@gmail.com.
August 19-23, 2007 : International Symposium on Forest
Soils and Ecosystem Health. Sunshine Coast, Queensland,
AUSTRALIA. Information : website :
http://www.griffith.edu.au/conference/isfs2007, email :
t.blumfield@griffith.edu.au.
August 27-30, 2007 : Geostatistics, Pedometrics, GIS.
Pedometrics 2007, Tübingen, GERMANY. Information :
website : http://2007.pedometrics.org.
September 3-5, 2007 : European Grassland Federation :
Symposium 2007, Gent, BELGIUM. Information : website
: http://www.egf2007.com/Programme.htm.
September 3-7, 2007 : the 5 th International Phosporus
Workshop. Sitkeborg, DENMARK. Information : website :
http://web.agrsci.dk/ipw5/.
September 5-7, 2007 : ECOSUD2007. 6 th International
Conference on Ecosystems and Sustainable Development,
Coimbra, PORTUGAL. Information : website :
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2007/eco07/index.ht
ml.
September 6-8, 2007 : IUFRO European Congress 2007
Forests and Forestry in the context of Rural Development.
Warsaw, POLAND. Information :
http://conference2007.wl.sggw.pl/.
September 10-17, 2007 : International Workshop on
Environmental Changes and Sustainable Development in
Arid and Semi-arid Regions. Inner Mongolia, CHINA.
Information : website : http://www.iggcas.ac.cn/iw07/.
September 15-19, 2007 : International Symposium on Air
Quality and Waste Management for Agriculture, Omni
Interlocken Resort, Broomfield, CO. Information : website
: http://www.asabe.org/meetings/airwaste2007/index.htm.
September 16-19, 2007 : 16 th International Symposium of
the CIEC Mineral versus organic fertilization : conflict on
synergism ? Gent, BELGIUM. Information : website :
http://www.soilman.ugent.be/ciec.
September 19-23, 2007 : Conference on Spatial
Information Theory (COSIT), Melbourne, AUSTRALIA.
Information : website : http://www.cosit.info, email :
Stephan Winter : winter@unimelb.edu.au.
September 30-October 5, 2007 : USCID 4th International
Conference on Irrigation and Drainage, The Role of
Irrigation and Drainage in a Sustainable Future,
Sacramento, CA, USA. Information : website :
http://www.uscid.org. email : stephens@uscid.org.
October 1-5, 2007 : 4 th Intern. Nitrogen Conference : N-
2007, Agriculture, Development and Nigrogen : A problem
of too little or too much. Costa do Sauipe, Bahia, BRAZIL.
Information : website : http://www.nitrogen2007.com.
October 18-23, 2007 : Soils or urban, industrial, traffic,
mining and military areas, Nanjing, CHINA. Information :
website : http://www.issas.ac.cn:81/english/index.asp
October 22-25, 2007 : 9 th International Meeting on Soils
with mediterranean type of climate, Aix-en-Provence,
FRANCE. Information : website :
http://www.cerege.fr/IMSMTC9
October 27-31, 2007 : 8 th African Crop Science Society
Conference, El Minia, EGYPT. Information : website :
http://www.acss2007.org.
October 28-November 2, 2007 : 2 nd International
symposium on soil water measurement, Beltsville,
Maryland, USA. Information : webiste :
http://www.paltin.com/symposiums/symposium_2007.htm,
email : Dr. I.C. Paltineanu icpaltin@msn.com
November 4-8, 2007 : ASA-CSSA-SSSA/2007
International Annual Meetings, New Orleans, Louisiana,
USA. Information : website : http://www.acsmeetings.org/.
November 5-9, 2007 : IFA/IFDC Nitrogen Fertilizers
Production Workshop, Port of Spain, TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO. Information : website : http://www.ifdc.org.
email : hrd@ifdc.org.
November 7-9, 2007 : Delta 2007 Managing the coastal
land-water interface in tropical delta systems. Bang Sean,
- 36 -

MEETINGS
THAILAND. Information : website :
http://delta07.iwmi.org/.
November 12-16, 2007 : 28 th Asian Conference on Remote
Sensing ACRS2007, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.
Information : website :
http://www.macres.gov.my/acrs2007, email : secretariat :
acrs2007@macres.gov.my.
November 15-17, 2007 : ISPRS WG VII/7 Workshop,
Riaydh, SAUDI ARABIA. Information : Sultan Al Sultan :
rsensing_2004@yahoo.com.
November 20-23, 2007 : ISPRS WG 1/6 Workshop on
Earth Observation Small Satellites for Remote Sensing
Applications, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. Information :
website : http://www.commission1.isprs.org/wg6, email :
Mazlan Hashim : mazlan@fksg.utm.my.
December 2007 : 13 th Asian Regional Conference of Soil
Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering. Kolkata, INDIA.
Information : website : http://www.13arc2007.com/.
December 2-7, 2007 : 6 th International IAHS Groundwater
Quality Conference, Fremanthe, AUSTRALIA.
Information : website :
http://www.clw.csiro.au/conferences/GQ07/.
2008 : 13 th International Meeting on Soil
Micromorphology, Chendu, Sichuan, CHINA. Information
: website :
http://www.unlv.edu/faculty/buckb/PUB/IUSS/IUSS.html
January 10-14, 2008 : International Conference and Field
Workshop on Paleopedology : Paleosols, Geomorphic
Evolution of Landscape and Paleoclimate Change.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. Information : email : Dr.
Hena Achyutan hachyutan@yahoo.com
February 5-8, 2008 : High resolution digital soil sensing
and mapping, Sydney, AUSTRALIA. Information :
http://www.iuss.org/HRDSM_Flyer3.pdf.
March 31-April 3, 2008 : 2nd International Salinity Forum.
Adelaide, South Australia, AUSTRALIA. Information :
website : http://www.internationalsalinityforum.org.
April 13-18, 2008 : 5 th International Crop Science
Congress, Jeju, KOREA. Information : website :
http://www.cropscience2008.com.
May 18-23, 2008 : 15 th ISCO Meeting (International Soil
conservation Organisation), Budapest, HUNGARY.
Information : website : http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/isco/.
June 22-26, 2008 : 11 th North American Forest Soils
Conference, Blacksburg, VIRGINIA.
June 29-July 5, 2008 : XXI International Grassland
Congress/VIII International Rangeland Congress, Huhhot,
Inner Mongolia, CHINA. Information : http://www.igcirc2008.org,
email : Secretariat :
secretariat2008@hotmail.com.
June 30-July 4, 2008 : 10 th International Symposium on
Landslides and Engineered Slopes. Xian, CHINA.
Information : website : http://www.iaeg.info.
July 6-9, 2008 : 2007 Canadian Society of Soil Science
Annual Meeting, Prince George, BC.
August 5-14, 2008 : 33 rd International geological congress,
Oslo, NORWAY. Information : website :
http://www.33igc.org/
August 23-31, 2008 : EUROSOIL Congress, Vienna,
AUSTRIA. Information : website :
http://www.ecsss.net/congress.htm
September 14-20, 2008 : 14 th meeting of the International
Humid Substances Society, St. Petersburg, Moscow,
RUSSIA. Information : website :
http://www.ihss.gatech.edu/.
September 18-22, 2008 : 5 th International Conference on
Land Degradation, Valenzano, Bari, ITALY. Information :
website : http://www.iamb.it/5ICLD, email :
pandi@iamb.it., edoardo.constantine@entecra.it.
October 1-6, 2008 : 12 th IACMAG Conference, Goa,
INDIA. Information : website : http://www.12iacmag.com/.
October 5-9, 2008 : ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings
(Joint Meeting with the Geological Society of America,
Houston, TX. Information : website :
http://www.acsmeetings.org/meetings/.
October 13-19, 2008 : International congress of irrigation
and drainage, Lahore, PAKISTAN., Information : website :
www.icid2008.org, email : icid@icid2008.org
November 1, 2008 : 20 th International Congress on
Irrigation and Drainage, Lahore, PAKISTAN. Information
: website : http://www.icid.org/20th_congress.html, email :
icid@icid2008.org
November 26-30, 2008 : 5 th ISMOM and 2 nd
Interconference Commission 2.5 IUSS-2008, Pucón,
CHILE. Information : http://www.ismom2008ufro.cl.
August 1-6, 2010 : 19 th World Congress of Soil Science,
Brisbane, AUSTRALIA. Information :
http://www.19WCSS.org.au/
September 2010 : 11 th IAEG Congress in Auckland,
Aotearoa, NEW ZEALAND. Information : website :
http://www.iaeg.info.
- 37 -

ADVANCED TRAINING AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
MATSUMAE International
Foundation
The founder's decision to create the
Matsumae International Foundation
results from his search for enduring
peace and friendship among all
nations of the world and for an
effective reminder of the path to
which Japan as a peaceful nation is
committed. The fund of the
Foundation is based on donation
from many Japanese entreprises as
well and individuals who are
sympathetic to the founders's ideals.
The foundation provides postdoctoral
fellowships of up to six
months for research in a Japanese
host institution (university research
laboratory, research institutions, …)
of free choice. Researchers from as
many nations as possible are
accepted, but applicants from
developing nations specializing in
such fields as natural science,
engineering and medicine will
receive preferential consideration.
Deadline for 31 July 2007.
For more information and
applications forms :
http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~mif/
ADVANCED TRAINING
AND RESEARCH LINKS
http://www.ifs.se
http://europa.eu.int/comm/euro
peaid/projects/alban
http://www.cos.com
http://yearofplanetearth.org
http://www.belspo.be
Matsumae International
Foundation
- 38 -

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR PHYSICAL LAND RESOURCES
Ghent University
Krijgslaan 281/S8
B-9000 Gent
Tel. : +32-9/2644618
Fax : +32-9/2644991
E-mail : PLRprog.adm@UGent.be
Website : http://www.plr.ugent.be