CESAM will mark World Soil Day on 5 December at 14:30 with a session dedicated to this year’s FAO theme, “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities”. The event will take place at the DEGEIT Amphitheatre – Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable soil management and its fundamental role in environmental balance, quality of life, and urban resilience. The session will feature contributions from invited specialists, addressing current challenges and pathways for the conservation and enhancement of this essential resource.

Participation is free of charge but requires prior registration using the link provided below.

Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/QV4mAD8YiH

Programme:

Opening Session
14:30 — Official Opening
Fátima Alves, Deputy Director of CESAM and Director of DAO, University of Aveiro

Scientific Presentations

14:40 — Nature-based solutions for improving soil health within the scope of the European Soil Monitoring Directive
Sara Peixoto | CESAM, DBIO, University of Aveiro

14:55 — From soil to soil: agriculture-based bioplastics designed to return to the soil environment
Idalina Gonçalves | CICECO, DEMAC, University of Aveiro

15:10 — Sources, enrichment, and availability of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in the rice field soils of Baixo Vouga Lagunar
Nuno Durães | GEOBIOTEC, DGEO, University of Aveiro

15:25 — Placing soil back at the centre of European agricultural policies
Miguel Viegas | DEGEIT, University of Aveiro

15:40 — Sustainability in soil use: a civil engineering perspective
Margarida Pinho Lopes | CERIS, DCIVIL, University of Aveiro

15:55 — Curiosoil: Awakening Soil Curiosity to Catalyse Soil Literacy
Ana Rita Rodrigues | DAO, University of Aveiro
Presentation of activity with CIAQ

Break
16:05 — Coffee Break & Exhibition of CIAQ Curiosoil Paintings

Round Table
16:30 — The new European Soil Monitoring Directive, the 2025 theme – “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities” – and the role of the University of Aveiro
Moderator: Ana Quintela (RAIZ)

Closing
17:30 — Closing of the World Soil Day Celebrations