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Global Soil Partnership
GBSmap - v1.0
- Global Black Soil Distribution Map (GBSmap) brochure
INTRODUCTION
Black soils are considered the food basket of the world.
Unfortunately, black soils are at great risk of severe degradation. This is why it has become crucial to develop a deeper understanding of the status of the black soils in the world including their distribution at national and global levels. During the second International Network of Black Soils (INBS) workshop in 2019, members discussed and agreed to develop a Global Black Soil Distribution Map (GBSmap) using a country-driven approach based on the endorsed definition of black soils.Two training sessions were organized in 2020-2021 to support INBS members in developing their national maps. Fourteen INBS countries subsequently developed and submitted their national black soil distribution maps.
There are an estimated 725 million hectares of black soils worldwide.
The Russian Federation has the largest area by far, followed by Kazakhstan and China. Black soil distribution strongly correlates with native prairie ecosystems including, but not limited to, other grassland ecosystems with a continental climate. Black soils are most prevalent in the mid-latitudes of North America, Eurasia, and South America. They are also found to a lesser extent in the tropical regions. At a global level, approximately one-third of black soils are covered with crops and another third by grasslands, with forests accounting for the remaining third. However, this distribution varies within each region. Read the press release
DATA ACCESS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
About Black Soils
Black soils are fundamental for food security globally and most of these special soils are found in the current conflict zone. Black soils also have a very high potential for carbon sequestration, thus key in the fight against climate change.
- Black soils are characterized by a very dark-colored topsoil, rich in soil organic carbon. They are amongst the most productive and fertile soils in the world.
- Black soils are key for food security and the global economy. In 2010, 66 percent of sunflower seed, 30 percent of wheat and 26 percent of potato outputs were harvested from black soils
- Black soils are paramount for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In Europe alone, black soils contribute to half of the region’s soil carbon sequestration potential.
- Black soils are home to many rural communities. For instance, 93 percent of the Moldovan population and 52 percent of the Ukrainian population live on black soils.
- Black soils are under threat. Two thirds of the black soil area is currently used for agricultural production.
Would you like to know more?
Explore the following resources:
- DEFINITION | What is a black soil ?
- Black soils in the world
- Why are black soils important?
Methodology
- Methodological Note: Download thepdf
Countries and institutions contributing to the map
A
Argentina
-National Institute of Agricultural Technology
Armenia
- Armenian Scientific Center of Soil Science, Agrochemistry and Melioration after H. Petrosyan
B
Brazil
- Embrapa Solos
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
Bulgaria
- Institute of soil science, agrotechnologies and plant protection Nikola Poushkarov
C
Canada
- Canadian Soil Information Service (CanSIS), Science and Technology Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Chile
- Departamento de Protección y Conservación de Suelos y Aguas, División de Protección de Recursos Naturales Renovables
China
- Heilongjiang Academy of Black Soil Conservation and Utilization, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
- Institute of Soil Science，Chinese Academy of Science
- Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnology, Chinese Academy of Science
Colombia
- Agustín Codazzi Geographical Institute
E
European Union
- Joint Research Centre, European Commission
G
Georgia
-Head of Laboratory of the Scientific-Research Center of MEPA, Associated professor
H
Hungary
- Department of Crop Production and Soil Science, University of Pannonia
I
Indonesia
-Indonesian Center for Agricultural Land Resource Research and Development, Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, Ministry of Agriculture
Iraq
-Office of Planning and Follow-up
K
Kazakhstan
-Uspanov Kazakh Research Institute on Soil Science and Agrochemisty
Kyrgyzstan
- Chairman of the teaching methods Commission
M
Mexico
- Centro de Geociencias - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural
Mongolia
- Mongolian University of Life sciences Darkham-Uul
Morocco
- INRA-Morocco
Mozambique
- Mozambique Agricultural Research Institute
N
Nepal
-Soil Management Section, Department of Agriculture
P
Poland
- Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute
- University of Zielona Góra
R
Republic of Moldova
- Scientific secretary, Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection
Russian Federation
- Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute
- Irkutsk State University
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- South Federal University
S
Slovakia
- National Agricultural and Food Centre, Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Banska Bystrica
South Africa
- ARC-Institute for Soil, Climate, and Water
Syrian Arab Republic
- General Commission of Scientifics Agriculture Research (GCSAR) Damascus – Syria/Institute of Geography, FAU Erlangen Nurnberg University
T
Thailand
- Agricultural Research Officer, Office of Land Use Planning and Policy, Land Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Turkey
- Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock
U
Ukraine
- National Scientific Center «Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry Research named after O.N. Sokolovsky», Kharkiv
- National Scientific Center «Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry Research named after O.N. Sokolovsky» (NSC ISSAR)
United States of America
-United States Department of Agriculture USDA
Uruguay
- Directorate General of Natural Resources (DGRN) of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) for Uruguay
- General Direction of Natural Resources-Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries
Z
Zambia
-Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
RELATED ACTIVITIES
International Network of Black Soils (INBS)
INBS coordinated the mapping process.
Capacity Development on Black Soils Mapping
On-the-job trainings conducted in 2020-2021
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Global map of black soils brochure
Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (AR | EN | ES | FR | RU| ZH)
Status of the World's Soil Resources. Main report and Technical summary (EN | ES | FR)
I've spent years delving into soil science, particularly focusing on black soils—these special, highly fertile terrains are vital for global food security. Now, let's dig into the concepts within the article:
Global Soil Partnership (GSP): This initiative addresses soil-related issues globally. It operates through partnerships, technical networks, and specific programs, such as the Soil Doctors Programme.
Black Soils: These are crucial for food production and carbon sequestration. They're rich in organic carbon, highly fertile, and contribute significantly to agricultural output.
GBSmap (Global Black Soil Distribution Map): Developed through the International Network of Black Soils (INBS), this map aims to outline the distribution of black soils worldwide. The map creation involved a country-driven approach and collaboration among various institutions and countries.
Distribution and Characteristics: Black soils cover around 725 million hectares globally, with the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, and China having the largest areas. They're predominantly found in mid-latitudes of North America, Eurasia, and South America, with varying land usage for crops, grasslands, and forests.
Significance: Black soils support food security, contribute substantially to agricultural yields (e.g., sunflower seeds, wheat, and potatoes), aid in climate change mitigation, and are habitats for rural communities.
Threats: Despite their importance, two-thirds of black soils are currently used for agriculture, putting them at risk of degradation.
Contributing Countries and Institutions: Multiple countries and institutions have contributed to the GBSmap, showcasing international collaboration and expertise in soil science.
Related Activities and Publications: The International Network of Black Soils (INBS) spearheaded the mapping process, offering capacity development through on-the-job trainings. Publications like the Global map of black soils brochure and Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management provide additional insights into soil-related matters.
These concepts collectively emphasize the significance of black soils, the collaborative efforts involved in mapping and understanding their distribution, and the critical role these soils play in global food security and environmental sustainability.
