GLOSOLAN is a global network of soil laboratories that aims to harmonize soil analysis procedures and improve quality control. It was launched in November 2017 with the goals of making soil data comparable across borders, agreeing on harmonization principles, and promoting information sharing and capacity building. Initial activities included finalizing a list of reference labs, conducting an online survey of labs, and supporting the establishment of regional soil analysis networks (RESOLANs) in Asia and Latin America. Future plans include a global ring test of lab proficiency coordinated by WEPAL and establishing additional RESOLANs, including one for Europe. The network currently includes over 140 official and unofficial soil labs from around the world.

2. GLOSOLAN
Mission, status and way
forward
By Ronald Vargas and Rosa Cuevas
GSP Secretariat

3. Why does GSP need a GLOSOLAN?
• Make soil information across laboratories, countries
and regions comparable and interpretable
• Build a set of agreed harmonization principles
• Improve quality control and assurance of soil analyses
• Promote information and experience exchange to
develop capacities wherever needed

4. Sustainable Soil
Management
Improve basis for decision making
Regarding e.g. soil fertility,
SOC management
Identify research gaps,
e.g. which promising methods
require refinement and
further development?
Area for investment,
technical cooperation,
extension services

5. Some facts from Asia: ring test results (SEALNET)
17 labs in 3 countries do NOT provide the same results.
Why? Mainly because of 1) absence of standard
procedure and 2) absence of inter-calibration
P
Laboratory (confidential code)
pH
Laboratory (confidential code)
Large differences for measuring
something as simple as pH also exist.

6. Launch of GLOSOLAN: 1-2 November 2017
Roadmap and main decisions:
GLOSOLAN Chair: Ms. Nopmanee Suvannang (Thailand, SEALNET leader)
GLOSOLAN Vice-Chair: Dr. Bhanooduth Lalljee (University of Mauritius and Chair
of Pillar 5 within the ITPS)
GLOSOLAN Working Group: Maksym Solokha (Ukraine), Nicolas Proix (France),
Rosa Cuevas (Mexico) and Floria Bertsch (Costa Rica). The working group is open
to further members
Note: all the herewith reported activities/decisions were developed/executed/agreed with
the GLOSOLAN Chair, Vice-Chair and Working Group as part of the implementation of actions
identified during the first GLOSOLAN meeting. Additionally, the GSP Chair for Pillar 5 was
consulted.

7. Launch of GLOSOLAN: 1-2 November 2017
Roadmap and main decisions:
Action Status
GSP Secretariat to finalize the list of
reference labs in all countries by the
end of December 2017 the latest.
Executed!
Finalization and launch of the first
online survey in GLOSOLAN
Executed! The online survey will close
on 30 March 2018.
On 22 February 2018 the GSP Secretariat
counts 51 complete responses
Questionnaire evaluation in form of a
report by Chair, Co-Chair and GSP
Secretariat, supported by an ad-hoc
Working Group. Evaluation to be
communicated back to GLOSOLAN
members, Pillar 5 Working Group and
Chairs of the Regional Soil
Partnerships.
Pending. Deadline: end of April 2018

8. Launch of GLOSOLAN: 1-2 November 2017
Roadmap and main decisions:
Action Status
Support the establishment of
RESOLANs where needed by using the
results of the questionnaire and the
identified gaps.
• First meeting of RESOLAN for Asia
(SEALNET) organized on 20-24
November 2017
• First meeting of RESOLAN for Latin
America (LATSOLAN) organized on
1-3 March 2018
• The launch of other RESOLANs is
undergoing
Start intensive communication
between RESOLAN Chairs and
GLOSOLAN Chair and Co-Chair.
Executed in Asia (SEALNET Chair: Mr.
Jamyang, Bhutan) and Latin America
(LATSOLAN Chair: Floria Bertsch,
Costa Rica)

9. Action Status
The Working Group for GLOSOLAN
should prepare a Concept Note for a
first ring test with guidance from
WEPAL (explore possibility of Letter of
Agreement) to present to the GSP
Plenary Assembly in May 2018
• The GSP Secretariat is talking to
WEPAL to confirm their
involvement in implementing the
ring test globally
• WEPAL is drafting a planning
document on the ring test to
present to the GLOSOLAN Working
Group and the GSP Plenary
Assembly for approval
• The proposal to have a standard
process on soil sample exchange
under GLOSOLAN in the form of a
resolution is under preparation.
The proposal will be presented to
the 6th GSP Plenary Assembly

10. Action Status
Support the establishment of
RESOLANs where needed by using the
results of the questionnaire and the
identified gaps.
• First meeting of RESOLAN for Asia
(SEALNET) organized on 20-24
November 2017
• First meeting of RESOLAN for Latin
America (LATSOLAN) organized on
1-3 March 2018
• The launch of other RESOLANs is
undergoing
Start intensive communication
between RESOLAN Chairs and
GLOSOLAN Chair and Co-Chair.
Executed in Asia (SEALNET Chair: Mr.
Jamyang, Bhutan) and Latin America
(LATSOLAN Chair: Floria Bertsch,
Costa Rica)

11. Laboratories in GLOSOLAN on 21 March
2018
Asia: Tot. 26 (Official: 17 ; Unofficial: 9 )
Near East and North Africa: Tot. 11 (Official: 8 ; Unofficial: 3 )
Africa South of the Sahara: Tot. 19 (Official: 10 ; Unofficial: 9 )
Europe: Tot. 48 (Official: 19 ; Unofficial: 29 )
Eurasia: Tot. 9 (Official: 2 ; Unofficial: 7 )
North America: Tot. 1 (Official: 1 ; Unofficial: NA )
Pacific: Tot. 6 (Official: 4 ; Unofficial: 2 )
Central America and the Caribbean: Tot. 11 (Official: 11 ; Unofficial: NA )
South America: Tot. 9 (Official: 8 ; Unofficial: 1 )

12. Implementation of GLOSOLAN in
Europe
Suggested steps:
1. Identification of existing laboratory network
2. Organization of a launch meeting for RESOLAN Europe
3. Election of a Chair and Vice-chair, and establishment of a Working group
4. Development of a regional work plan

13. Thanks for your attention