Welcome to the official web page of Bulgarian Soil Science Society  (BSSS)

 

On December 5, 2025 -  World Soil Day, the fourth edition of Forum: SOIL was being held - an event dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the organized management  against soil erosion in Bulgaria. Under the patronage of the Rector of the University of Forestry, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hristo Mihaylov. The organizers of the forum are the University of Forestry, the Bulgarian Soil Science Society (BSSS), the Hrankoop Ltd. - Sofia Cooperative and the FarmBioNet project. In his welcome address, the president of the BSSS, Prof. Dr. Biser Hristov, emphasized that in 2025, World Soil Day will focus on urban lands with the theme "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities". Bulgaria is celebrating a significant anniversary, which is "120 years of organized management  against erosion in Bulgaria". This is an occasion to express gratitude to the generation of scientists, foresters, environmentalists, volunteers and public figures who have dedicated their lives to the noble cause of soil restoration. The forum program includes two thematic panels, discussions and an exhibition in the university.

Panel 1: Historical and scientific view on erosion.

Panel 2: Agricultural practices and practical solutions.

The lobby of the University of Forestry also hosts an exhibition, including a presentation in the book “The Beginning – La Debut”, the FarmBioNet project, the Hrankoop Ltd. – Sofia Cooperative, the PoleRani Association and Atlas Agro Science. The event creates a space for exchange between scientists, framers, government  institutions and other nongovernment  organizations, aimed at sustainable management of soil resources and practices for their restoration.

 

               

 

 

 

The President of the Bulgarian Soil Science Society  Prof. Biser Hristov participated in the conference celebrating World Soil Day on December  5-th, 2024 at the New Bulgarian University in Sofia, with title "Ecology and Agrotechnologies - Fundamental Science and Practical Implementation - Business Models for Improving Soil Health" and 150 years since the birth of Nikola Pushkarov - the founder of soil science in Bulgaria. World Soil Day was held under the motto "With care for the soil: let's measure, monitor, manage!". The forum was attended by His Excellency the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation Mr. Raimund Furer and Her Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Bulgaria Ms. Zakia El Midaoui, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Mr. Kapitanov, the Mayor of Pirdop Municipality - Mr. Gerov and the Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality Ms. Bobcheva, prof. Bozhanova - chairman of the Agricultural Academy-Bulgaria and other guests from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, agricultural associations and farmers. The event was moderated by the Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Soil Science "N. Pushkarov", Prof. Dr. Irena Atanasova. The scientists showed their contribution to sustainable soil management in the conditions of climate change and anthropogenic pressure. The President of the Bulgarian Soil Science Society  Prof. Biser Hristov presented the lecture "100 Years of Soil Science in Bulgarian Universities"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The President  of the Bulgarian Soil Science Society, Prof. Biser Hristov participated in the third edition of the forum "SOIL 2024", dedicated to experimental practices and results in the field of restorative agriculture. The event was held on December 1, 2024  in the building of the Municipality in the village of Gorna Malina. The "SOIL" forum is a place  for the exchange of good practices, new ideas and professional contacts. Specialists, practitioners and enthusiasts were gathered to consider the latest developments in natural-restorative agriculture. The challenges and opportunities for the protection and sustainable use of  soil were discussed. This year, the host was the municipality of Gorna Malina - the first green municipality in Bulgaria and a model for sustainable development in the country. Assoc. Prof. Biser Hristov explained the main threats to soil degradation in Bulgaria.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The President of the Bulgarian Society of Soil Science, Biser Hristov, participated in the celebration of the second anniversary of the "Safe Soil" - "Conscious Planet" movement on 23.03.2024. the soil and to introduce the necessary policies to solve the problems facing humanity. The initiative is  uniting people from around the world to advocate for soil health and supporting the leaders of all countries to implement national policies and actions to increase organic matter in arable land. At the event, many casual citizens were introduced to the initiative "Save the soil" - "Conscious Planet", and the processes that lead to their degradation.  Biser Hristov gave an extensive interview about the problems with soils in our country, and all the degradation processes were discussed. Both sides expressed a desire for further cooperation between the Safe Soil movement and the Bulgarian Soil Science Society.

 

 

 

 

 

IUSS Strategic Plan 2021-2030


The IUSS President's Committee has drafted the “IUSS STRATEGIC PLAN 2021-2030 - The IUSS towards its Centennial and beyond”. Comments from the IUSS Executive Committee and the IUSS Council were considered in the final version which was formally approved by the IUSS Council during its WCSS 2022. To advance the accomplishment of this Strategic Plan through a set of actions that allow the IUSS to fulfill its scientific aspirations, the IUSS also needs to develop an Implementation Plan, supported by some relevant policies guaranteeing IUSS governance. All IUSS officers and Full members are requested to contribute to the implementation of this Strategic Plan.

IUSS Strategic Plan 2021-2030

https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/iuss-strategic-plan-2021-2030/

IUSS Notice of non-discrimination and DEI Policy


The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) supports the Principle of Universality (freedom and responsibility) of Science: the free and responsible practice of science is fundamental to scientific advancement and human and environmental well-being. Such practice, in all its aspects, requires freedom of movement, association, expression and communication for scientists, as well as equitable access to data, information, and other resources for research. It requires responsibility at all levels to carry out and communicate scientific work with integrity, respect, fairness, trustworthiness, and transparency, recognising its benefits and possible harms.

In advocating the free and responsible practice of science, IUSS promotes equitable opportunities for access to science and its benefits, and opposes discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military status, or veteran status, in its programs and activities as required by applicable laws and regulations.

Should any acts of discrimination come to your attention, do not hesitate to contact the IUSS Secretariat at iuss@umweltbundesamt.at.

IUSS diversity, equity, and inclusive policy

https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/iuss-notice-of-non-discrimination-and-dei-policy/

 

New Book - "GENETIC AND APPLIED CLASSIFICATIONS OF SOILS AND LANDS IN BULGARIA".

This scientific book was developed by decision of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Soil Science Society. For  development  of this issue were involved  the best scientists  and students from ISSAPP "Nikola Poushkarov", Agricultural University - Plovdiv and University of Forestry-Sofia. This book is based on modern rules, criteria and diagnostics, FAO, European and world standards. The classifications were prepared and discussed at a scientific session held on November 14, 2018 with the scientific community of ISSAPP "N. Poushkarov" and other scientific and academic organizations. The book can be used in the curricula of university and secondary schools with agronomic, forestry, agricultural, economic, biological and environmental characteristics and in the development and use of various scientific, scientific-applied and technological projects at national and international level. The book will be useful for agricultural, forestry and conservation organizations to modernize projects and develop projects for management of agricultural, forest, unprotected  and protected areas, for projects and EIA abroad for ecology and use of the environment.

This book is an important investment in the future for the development of science and practice.

Under the general editorship of Prof. Dr. Metodi Teoharov. Bulgarian Soil Science Society, 2019
 

Authors: Chapter one: Prof. Dr. Metodi Teoharov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Biser Hristov, Prof. DSc. Lyudmila Malinova, Prof. DSc. Rositsa Petrova, Prof. Dr. Venera Tsolova, Prof. Dr. Martin Banov, Prof. Dr. Elena Jeleva, Prof. DSc. Irena Atanasova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rositsa Ilieva, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Kavardjiev, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Popandova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rada Popova, Assoc. Victor Kolchakov, ch. Assistant Professor Dr. Ivaylo Kirilov, Chief Assistant Dr. Ivanka Lyubenova, Chief Assistant Dr. Milena Harizanova, Chief Assistant Dr. Natalia Andreeva, Dr. Mariela Stoykova

Chapter two: Prof. Dr. Svetla Rousseva

Chapter three: Prof. DSc Bozhidar Georgiev, Prof. Dr. Veneta Krasteva, Chief Assist. Dr. Zornitsa Mitreva, Chief Assistant Dr. Veselin Pankov

Reviewers: Prof. Dr. Svetla Rousseva and Prof. Dr. Veneta Krasteva

Bulgarian Soil Science Society (BSSS)  was founded in 1942 with the aim to acquaint the general public with soil science, with an emphasis on the importance of soil. This original mission of BSSS is more relevant than ever in the public debate for the conservation of soil resources. TheSociety also will organize various public events and activities related to the protection of our lands, recovery of contaminated soils and sustainable land management. The official BSSS webpage  will provide information about soils in Bulgaria and the problems associated with them.

Other main objectives of BSSS are to promote knowledge and innovative products of the soils science,  to support state policy and institution. For rational use and conservation of soil and land resources, to build up high international prestige of  Bulgarian soil science and scientific community. These objectives are implemented by conducting various creative, scientific and public initiatives - holding of national and international scientific and practical conferences, symposiums , scientific sessions and seminars, meetings with leading scientists, roundtables on important topics, printing and dissemination of scientific literature, publication of biographical essays by prominent scholars, training of young soil scientists.

BSSS is a member of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) , constantly maintaining fruitful relations and contacts with soil science organizations and leading scientists from many countries of the world such as EU countries, Russia, China, USA and neighboring  Balkans countries. More than 70 scientists and experts from various institutes and higher education institutions, non-government and government organizations are members and actively participate in ongoing initiatives .

 During 2015 - the International Year of  Soil, BSSS adopted a program to promote the importance of  soil. In May 2015 BSSS and ISSAP “N. Poushkarov” held conference dedicated to the International Year of Soils and the 140-th anniversary from the birth of Nikola Poushkarov - „SOIL AND AGROTECHNOLOGY IN A CHANGING WORLD“. This year a new scientific journal will be created – Bulgarian Journal of Soil Science.

On this web site you can find information about :

  •  The main activities of BSSS  

  • Scientific research in soil science , agroecology, agriculture and environmental protection ;

  •  Information about scientific conferences , seminars, courses, meetings, events, round tables and ect. ;

  •  Education in the fileld of Soil Scince;

  •  Scientific papers and books ;

  •  Scientists and people related to Soil Science;

  •  How to become a member of BSSS ;

  •  When and how to participate in the  initiatives and activities of BSSS ;