International Symposium on Gully Erosion

 

We are pleased to announce that the upcoming International Symposium on Gully Erosion (ISGE)  will be held in Assisi, Italy.  This historic town, located in the Umbria region, is close to areas heavily affected by gully erosion and landscape degradation, such as Civita di Bagnoregio and the Crete Senesi in the Val d’Orcia area of Tuscany. Both regions feature a unique anthropogenic landscape, shaped by centuries of human interaction with the environment, dating back to Roman times. Gully erosion is widely recognized as a major environmental threat, impacting soil and land functions across the globe. Historical records provide ample evidence of intense gully erosion episodes occurring at various times and locations worldwide.  Understanding the relationship between environmental changes (e.g., land use, climate) and land degradation is critical for scientists, land managers, and policymakers alike. Despite advances in our knowledge of gully formation, controlling factors and erosion impacts, many questions remain unsolved, particularly regarding the mechanisms of gully erosion, human influences and effective conservation measures. Since its inception in 2000, the International Symposium on Gully Erosion (ISGE) has become the leading platform to discuss these crucial issues.

https://www.gullyerosion.com/

Our last publication: Basaltic rock weathering as an atmospheric CO2 removal (CDR) technique: a review.

Mangas-Velayos, H.; Mongil-Manso, J.; del Monte-Maíz, M.; Jiménez-Ballesta, R.; 2026. Basaltic rock weathering as an atmospheric CO2 removal (CDR) technique: a review. Land, 15(7): 1153. https://doi.org/10.3390/land15071153

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations have reached significant levels during the industrial era, necessitating the implementation of effective carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) using basalt has emerged as a high-potential strategy, leveraging its mafic composition to sequester CO2 as stable carbonates. This review analyzes ERW’s geochemical processes, application methods, and multifaceted co-benefits, such as restoring “background fertility” and improving soil structure. The literature indicates that while small-scale applications range from 1.5 to 6 Mg·ha−1·yr−1, intensive agricultural rates typically reach 40–100 Mg·ha−1·yr−1. Global models estimate a sequestration potential of up to 4.9 × 109 Mg CO2·yr−1 for basalt, although field-scale results vary significantly, reaching uptake rates of up to 4 Mg CO2·ha−1 depending on pedological conditions and crop types. Despite this promise, transitioning to large-scale deployment faces critical hurdles, including operational difficulties in mechanized spreading and a scarcity of audited, long-term field data. Future research must prioritize standardized protocols and comprehensive economic analyses to bridge the gap between theoretical models and empirical evidence. Ultimately, ERW represents a multifaceted solution for climate stabilization and sustainable food security, provided that sequestration efficacy and environmental safety are rigorously verified through high-application field trials.

Link to paper