Soil as World Heritage

This book compiles contributions presented during celebrations of the half-centenary of long term field experiments done at Selectia Experimental Station (Republic of Moldova; UNESCO site as a World Heritage Site) where researchers, practitioners and policy makers were present. The results from these unique experiments with crop rotations and permanent crops are presented for discussions among scientists from Moldova but also from various other countries with comparable field experiments (Belarus Canada, France, Germany, Romania, Russia, UK, USA, Ukraine). Scientists from other countries also share their experience of the relevance of experimental data to food security and maintenance of the suite of environmental services that the soil provides. §Because of the unsustainable development of agriculture in Moldova, Europe-wide and worldwide, contributions also discuss economic incentives (including the relatively new concept of green water credits) and legislative aspects in promoting a more sustainable farming systems across Eastern and Central Europe where soils, climate and recent history are similar. The outcome of the conference gave rise to a draft of the law on land and soil management that will be recommended to the Parliament of Moldova, in accordance with the requirements of European legislation.