Soils play an important role as a fertile environment for cultivated plants, as a habitat, and as a reservoir of biodiversity. Soils are also considered a source of reactions that guide the exchange of water and elements between living beings, including human societies, and large reservoirs (rocks, surface water, deep water, and atmosphere). Soil is a non-renewable natural resource that is essential support for life on Earth. Such as all natural resources, its long-term preservation and the maintenance of the intrinsic qualities of this environment are essential in order to guarantee the development of future generations and the optimal conditions of biodiversity.

Our planet's soil resources are limited. Not all soils in the world are cultivable, and not all those that are cultivated have the same productive potential. Soils, both agricultural and non-agricultural, have attracted the attention of policy makers, scientists, and citizens in recent decades, due to their multiple socio-economic and environmental challenges: Sustainable agricultural production, food security, the phenomenon of soil salinization, etc. Certain issues related to these issues require the expertise of specialists in soil sciences and the use of new methods and remote sensing. Moreover, it is important to communicate and exchange information so as not to lose the scientific and technical quality of the actions carried out around the soil.

Dry areas are ecosystems characterized by fragile soils and limited water resources and are often exposed to several constraints limiting their development, including salinity. This is where agriculture is considered a very specific activity requiring specific and scientific strategies to accompany it. Supporting agriculture in drylands is becoming a national priority for food security. These can only be achieved through a strategy for the sustainable management of soil and water resources.

This seminar is for researchers, developers, professionals, policy makers and students. During the seminar, participants will present the results of various soil science research conducted in various sectors. The aim is to contribute to the restoration, management and maintenance of good soil health, the cornerstone of our country's food security with a functional perspective aimed at simultaneously achieving ecosystem sustainability, economic efficiency and social well-being.

This event will also be a forum for discussion to promote the several functionality of soils among all stakeholders in society in order to raise their awareness of the importance of the place of soils in current agricultural and land-use planning issues.