The Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, was founded in 1953. Being the cradle land of soil sciences in China, the Institute of Soil Science has been shouldering the important task of serving agricultural development as well as ecological and environmental protection in China. It has attracted and nurtured large numbers of talented soil scientists, who have been conducting continuous and fruitful research, oriented towards soil resources countrywide. The present-day institute has developed from modest beginnings into a top-notch, highly reputable, national-level research center with a solid research base covering all disciplines of soil science. In addition, it is a training base for grooming senior researchers. Its contribution to the development of soil sciences nationally as well as internationally is quite significant.
The Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, was founded in 1953, as a successor to the former Soil Division of the National Geological Survey of China, which was established in 1930. It was reformed in 2001 within the frame of CAS Knowledge Innovation Program. The present-day institute has developed from modest beginnings into a top-notch, highly reputable, national-level research center with a solid research base covering all disciplines of soil sciences.
The Institute of Soil Science has 283 staff members. There are currently nine research departments or laboratory, including State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, three national field stations and one soil sub-center of CERN. The academic magazine Journals of Pedosphere, Acta Pedologica Sinica, and Soil hosted by the institute are recognized as the core journal. The library and soil museum are also being characteristics. Besides, the Center for Analysis and Tests is certified by the State Measurement Certification Agency. In addition, the institute is affiliated by Soil Science Society and National Technical Committee 404 on Soil Quality of Standardization Administration of China.
The institute’s research programs are always focused on solutions to vital problems in agricultural development, ecological and environmental protection, and development of soil sciences. Currently, research focuses on the following four fields: (1) soil resources and their management, (2) soil fertility and its regulation, (3) soil environment and health, and (4) soil biota and safety.
The research goals are twofold—(1) to provide a scientific basis for decision-making and key practical techniques for rational utilization of soil resources, for sustainable development of agriculture and for eco-environmental protection; (2) to take an active part in development of modern theories of soil science. The goal of the institute is to build itself into a first-rate, world-class soil science research center.
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