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Deborah Bossio

Lead Scientist, Food and Water Systems

California

Headshot of Deborah Bossio.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Soil science, agriculture, ecosystems, conservation, climate change, food systems

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CONTACT

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Biography

Deborah joined The Nature Conservancy in 2016 as its lead soil scientist. In that role, she spearheaded the development of a research program that delivered the science necessary for The Nature Conservancy's strategies on soil health and soil carbon sequestration for climate, environment and productivity benefits.

In 2022 Deborah took on a broader remit as the lead scientist for food and water systems. In this role, she leads The Nature Conservancy's work on Foodscape science, a new framework for understanding and implementing food system transitions. The work of her team and partners supports an ambitious agenda around food system change, employing the power of nature-based solutions in food production systems worldwide.

Deborah's academic roots are in soil biology and fertility. She holds an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in soil science from the University of California, Davis. She came to The Nature Conservancy from science leadership positions at the CGIAR, including the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). She has worked for more than 30 years in climate, food systems, sustainable agriculture and development in Africa, Asia and the Americas. She has published a wealth of research papers. She emphasizes bringing science to practice and playing thought leadership roles in global initiatives, including acting on the Science and Technical Committee of the 4per1000 Initiative.

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Publications

Visit Deborah's Google Scholar Profile for a full list of publications.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles and Assessments (selected)

Sweet, S.K., Schuldt, J.P., Lehmann, J. et al. Perceptions of naturalness predict US public support for Soil Carbon Storage as a climate solution. Climatic Change 166, 22 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-021-03121-0

Roos, E., B. Bajzelj, C. Weil, E. Andersson, D. Bossio, L.J. Gordon. 2021. Moving beyond organic—a food system approach to assessing sustainable and resilient farming. Global Food Security. Vol 28. doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100487.

Dynarski, K., D. Bossio, K. Scow. 2020. Dynamic stability of soil carbon: Reassessing the ”permanence” of soil carbon sequestration. Front. in Environ. Sci., 8: 514701. https://doi:10.3389/fenvs.2020.514701.

Amelung, W., D. Bossio, W. de Vries, I. Kögel-Knabner, J. Lehmann, R. Amundson, P. Baveye, R. Bol, C. Collins, R. Lal, J. Leifeld, B. Minasny, G. Pan, K. Paustian, C. Rumpel, J. Sanderman, J.W. van Groenigen, B. van Wesemael, M. Wander, and A. Chabbi. Towards implementing a global scale Soil Climate Mitigation Strategy. Nature Communications, 11: 5427 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18887-7.

Heuvelink, G.B.M., M.E. Angelini, L. Poggio, Z. Bai, N.H. Batjes, H. Van Den Bosch, D. Bossio, S. Estella, J. Lehmann, G.F. Olmedo and J. Sanderman. 2020. Machine learning in space and time for modelling soil organic carbon change. Eur J of Soil Sci. 2020:1-17. https://doi: 10.1111/ejss.12998.

Lehmann, J., Deborah Bossio, Ingrid Koegel-Knabner, and Matthias Rillig. 2020. The concept and future prospects of soil health. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment. https://doi:10.1038/s43017-020-0080-8

Bossio, D.A., Cook-Patton, S.C., Ellis, P.W., Fargione, J., Sanderman, J., Smith, P., Wood, S. Zomer, R.J., von Unger, M., Emmer, I.M. and Griscom, B.W. 2020. The role of soil carbon in natural climate solutions. Nature Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0491-z

Bradford, M.A., C.J. Carey, L. Atwood, D. Bossio, E.P. Fenichel, S. Gennet, J. Fargione, J.R.B. Fisher, E. Fuller, D.A. Kane, J. Lehmann, E.E. Oldfield, E.M. Ordway, J. Rudek, J. Sanderman, and S.A. Wood. 2019. Soil carbon science for policy and practice. Nature Sustainability. doi:10.1038/s41893-019-0431-y

Griscom, B.W., Lomax, G., Kroeger, T., Fargione, J.E., Adams, J., Almond, L., Bossio, D.A. Cook-Patton, S.C., Ellis, P.W. Kennedy, C.M. and Kiesecker, J. We need both natural and energy solutions to stabilize our climate. Global Change Biology. 22 March 2019 doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14612

Vermeulen, S., Bossio, D.A., Lehmann, J., Luu, P., Paustian, K., Webb, C., Augé, F., Bacudo, I., Baedeker, T., Havbemann, T., Jones, C., King, R., Reddy, M., Sunga, I., von Unger, M., Warnken, M. (2019) Soil carbon for multiple benefits: a global agenda for action. Nature Sustainability, 2 (2–4).  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-018-0212-z

Zomer, Robert J.; Bossio, Deborah A.; Sommer, Rolf; Verchot, Louis V.. 2017. Global Sequestration Potential of Increased Organic Carbon in Cropland Soils. Scientific Reports. 7: 15554. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15794-8

Mette Vaarst, Arthur Getz Escudero, M Jahi Chappell, Catherine Brinkley, Ravic Nijbroek, Nilson AM Arraes, Lise Andreasen, Andreas Gattinger, Gustavo Fonseca De Almeida, Deborah Bossio, Niels Halberg. 2017. Exploring the concept of agroecological food systems in a city-region context. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2017.1365321

Woldearegay, Kifle; Tamene, Lulseged; Mekonnen, Kindu; Kizito, Fred; Bossio, Deborah. 2017. Fostering Food Security and Climate Resilience Through Integrated Landscape Restoration Practices and Rainwater Harvesting/Management in Arid and Semi-arid Areas of Ethiopia . In: Filho, Walter L., Gomez, Josep de T. (eds).2017.Rainwater-Smart Agriculture in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas. Springer New York, p.37-57.

Bousquet, F., A. Botta, L. Alinovi, O. Barreteau, D. Bossio, K. Brown, P. Caron, M. D'Errico, F. DeClerck, H. Dessard, E. Enfors Kautsky, C. Fabricius, C. Folke, L. Fortmann, B. Hubert, D. Magda, R. Mathevet, R. B. Norgaard, A. Quinlan and C. Staver. 2016. Resilience and development: mobilizing for transformation. Ecology and Society 21 (3):40. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol21/iss3/art40/

Zomer R J, Neufeldt H, Xu J, Ahrends A, Bossio D, Trabucco A, van Noordwijk M and Wang M. Global Tree Cover and Biomass Carbon on Agricultural Land: The contribution of agroforestry to global and national carbon budgets. Scientific Reports 6, Article number: 29987 (2016). doi:10.1038/srep29987

Sommer, R., Mukalama, J., Kihara, J., Koala, S. Winowiecki, L., Bossio, D. 2015. Nitrogen dynamics and nitrous oxide emissions in a long-term trial on integrated soil fertility management in Western Kenya. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 10.1007/s10705-015-9693-6.

Verchot, L.V., N.L. Ward, J. Belknap, D.A. Bossio, A.N. Muchiru, D. Wall, and R.S. Reid.  2015.  From bacteria to elephants: Effects of land-use legacies in the Serengeti - Mara ecosystem on biodiversity and ecosystem processes. In Sinclair, A.R.E., J.M. Metzger, K.L. Fryxell, and S.A.R. Mduma, (Eds.) Serengeti IV: Sustaining Biodiversity in a Coupled Human-Natural System. University of Chicago Press: 1427 E. 60th Street Chicago, IL USA.

Sommer, R., Bossio, D. 2014 Dynamics and climate mitigation potential of soil organic carbon sequestration. Journal of Environmental Management. Vol 144, 83-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.05.017

Wolde Mekuria, Andrew Noble, Oloth Sengtaheuanghoung, Chu Thai Hoanh, Deborah Bossio, Nivong Sipaseuth, Matthew McCartney & Simon Langan (2014) Organic and Clay-Based Soil Amendments Increase Maize Yield, Total Nutrient Uptake, and Soil Properties in Lao PDR, Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 38:8, 936-961, DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2014.917144

Ginkel, Maarten van, Jeff Sayer, Fergus Sinclair, Aden Aw-Hassan, Deborah Bossio, Peter Craufurd, Mohammed El Mourid, Nasri Haddad, David Hoisington, Nancy Johnson, Carlos León Velarde, Víctor Mares, Andrew Mude, Ali Nefzaoui, Andrew Noble, K. P. C. Rao, Rachid Serraj, Shirley Tarawali, Raymond Vodouhe, Rodomiro Ortiz.  2013. An integrated agro-ecosystem and livelihood systems approach for the poor and vulnerable in dry areas, Food Security, 10.1007/s12571-013-0305-5.     

Bossio, D. Erkossa, T. Dile, Y. McCartney, M. Killiches, F. and Hoff, H. 2012. Water implications of foreign direct investment in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector. Water Alternatives 5(2): 223-242

Descheemaeker, K., Amede, T., Haileslassie, A., Bossio, D. 2011. Analysis of gaps and possible interventions for improving water productivity in crop livestock systems of Ethiopia. Expl. Agric. 47: 21-38.

Herrero, M., P. K. Thornton, A. M. Notenbaert, S. Wood, S. Msangi, H. A. Freeman, D. Bossio, J. Dixon, M. Peters, J. van de Steeg, J. Lynam, P. Parthasarathy Rao, S. Macmillan, B. Gerard, J. McDermott, C. Seré and M. Rosegrant  2010.  Smart investments in sustainable food production: revisiting the focus. Science Policy Forum.

Bossio, D., Geheb, K., and Critchley, W. 2010. Managing water by managing land: addressing land degradation to improve water productivity and rural livelihoods. Agricultural Water Management, 97:536-542.

John Dixon, Xiaoyun Li, Siwa Msangi, Betina Dimaranan, Tilahun Amede, Deborah Bossio, Hernan Ceballos, Bernardo Ospina, Reinhardt Howeler, Belum VS Reddy, Robert Abaidoo, Jagadish Timsina, Charles Crissman, Victor Mares, Robert Quiroz, Carlos Leon-Velarde, Mario Herrero, Michael Blummel, Michael Peters, Douglas White, Judit Szonyi. 2010. Feed, Food and Fuel: Competition and potential impacts on small crop-livestock-energy farming systems. An Assessment Commissioned by the CGIAR Systemwide Livestock Program.

Herrero, M. P.K. Thornton, A. Notenbaert, S. Msangi, S. Wood, R. Kruska, J. Dixon, D. Bossio, J. van de Steeg, H. A. Freeman, X. Li and P. Parthasarathy Rao. 2010. Drivers of Change in Crop Livestock Systems and their Potential Impacts on Agro-ecosystems Services and Human Well-being to 2030. A study commissioned by the CGIAR Systemwide Livestock Programme. ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya.

Bossio, D., 2009. Livestock and Water: Understanding the context based on the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. LWP Special Issue. Rangeland Journal, 31(2): 179-186.

Smith, L., and Gurib-Fakim, A., Nazimi Acikgoz , Patrick Avato , Deborah Bossio , Kristie Ebi , André Gonçalves, Jack A. Heinemann, Thora Martina Herrmann, Jonathan Padgham, Johanna Pennarz, Urs Scheidegger, Leo Sebastian, Miguel Taboada, Ernesto Viglizzo. 2009. IAASTD Chapter 6. Options to enhance the impact of AKST on the development and sustainability goals. 2009. World Bank.

Nienke Beintema, Deborah Bossio, Fabrice Dreyfus, Maria Fernandez, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Hans Hurni, Anne-Marie Izac, Janice Jiggins, Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic, Roger Leakey, Washington Ochola, Balgis Osman-Elasha, Cristina Plencovich, Niels Roling, Mark Rosegrant, Erika Rosenthal, Linda Smith. 2009. IAASTD Global summary for decision makers. World Bank.

Enfors,  E.I., Gordon, L.J., Peterson, G.D., and Bossio, D. 2008. Making investments in dryland development work: Participatory scenario planning to increase the robustness of investments made in small-scale farming in the Makanya catchment, Tanzania. Ecology and Society.

Zomer, R.J., Trabucco, A., Bossio, D.A., and Verchot, L.V. 2008. Climate change mitigation:  a spatial analysis of global land suitability for clean development mechanism afforestation and reforestation. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 126:67-80.

Trabucco, A., Zomer, R.J., Bossio, D.A., van Straaten, O., and Verchot, L.V. 2008. Climate change mitigation through afforestation/reforestation: a global analysis of hydrologic impacts with four case studies. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 126: 81-97.

Namara, R. Bossio, D., Weligamage, P. and Herath, I. 2008. The practice and effects of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Sri Lanka. Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, 47: 5-23.

de Fraiture, C., Smakhtin, V., Bossio, D., McCornick, P., Hoanh C., Noble, A., Molden, D., Gichuki, F., Giordano, M., Finlayson, M., Turral, H. 2007. Facing climate change by securing water for food, livelihoods and ecosystems. Journal of Semi-Arid Tropical Agricultural Research, 4(1): E-journal.  

Bossio, D., Critchley, W., Geheb, K., van Lynden, G. and Mati, B., 2007, Conserving land - protecting water. In Molden, D. (Ed.) Water for Food, Water for Life: A Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. Earthscan, London and International Water Management Institute, Colombo, pp. 551-583.

Zomer, R., Bossio, D.A., Trabucco, A., Yuanjie, L., Gupta, D.C. and V.P. Singh. 2007. Water and trees: small holder agroforestry on irrigated lands in Northern India. IWMI Research Report No 122. 

Craswell, E., Bonnell, M., Bossio,D., Demuth, S., Giesen van der, N (eds). 2007 Integrated Assessmetn of Water Resources and Global Change: A North-South Analysis. Special issue Water Resources Management vol. 21. Reprinted by Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 373 pp.

Namara, R.E., Hussain, I., Bossio, D., and Verma, S. 2007. Adoption and impacts of micro irrigation and improved cop production systems in South Asia: Critical Review and Implications for Poverty Alleviation'.   International Journal of Irrigation and Drainage, 56:335-348.

Zomer, R., Trabucco, A., van Straaten, O., Bossio, D. 2006. Carbon, Land and Water: A global analysis of the hydrologic dimensions of climate change mitigation through afforestation/reforestation within the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism.  IWMI Research Report 101, 38 pp.

Pretty J, Noble A D, Bossio D, Dixon J, Hine R E, Penning de Vries F W T and Morison J I L. 2006. Resource-conserving agriculture increases yields in developing countries. Environmental Science & Technology 40 (4), 1114 -1119.

Noble, A.D., Bossio, D.A., Penning de Vries, F.W.T., Pretty, J. and T.M. Thiyagarajan. 2006. ‘Bright Spots’: Impacts and Drivers. Comprehensive Assessment Research Report 13, Sri Lanka. 

Penning de Vries, Frits; Bossio, Deborah. 2006. Smallholder land and water management. In Giordano, M.; Rijsberman, F.; Saleth, R.M. (Eds.). ‘More crop per drop:’ Revisiting a research paradigm: Results and synthesis of IWMI’s research, 1996- 2005. London, UK: IWA. pp.56-83

Bossio, D.A., J. Fleck, K.M. Scow, and R. Fujii. 2006. Alteration of soil microbial communities and water quality in restored wetlands. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 38: 1223-1233.

Bossio, D.A., M.S. Girvan, L. Verchot, J. Bullimore, T. Borelli, A. Albrecht, K.M. Scow, A.S. Ball, J.N. Pretty, and M.A. Osborn. 2005. Soil Microbial Community Response to Land Use Change in an Agricultural Landscape of Western Kenya. Microbial Ecology, 49:50-62.

Bunemann, E.K., D.A. Bossio, P.C. Smithson, E. Frossard, A. Oberson. 2004. Microbial community composition and substrate use in a highly weathered soil as affected by crop rotation and P fertilization. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 36: 889-901.

Fleck, J.A.. D.A. Bossio, and R. Fujii.  2004. Dissolved organic carbon and disinfection by-product precursor release from managed peat soils. Journal of Environmental Quality. 33:465-475.

Bossio, D.A., W.R. Horwath, R. Mutters, and C. van Kessel. 1999.  Methane pool and flux dynamics in a rice field following straw incorporation.  Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 31: 1313-1322.

Bossio, D. A., K.M. Scow, N. Gunapala, and K.J. Graham. 1998. Determinants of soil microbial communities: effects of agricultural management, season, and soil type on phospholipid fatty acid profiles.  Microbial Ecology. 36:1-12.

Bossio, D. A., and K.M. Scow. 1998. Impacts of carbon and flooding on soil microbial communities: phospholipid fatty acid profiles and substrate utilization patterns.  Microbial Ecology. 35: 265-278.

Bossio, D.A., and K.M. Scow.  1997. Management changes in rice production alter microbial community.  California Agriculture. 51:33-40.

Bossio, D.A., and K.M. Scow. 1995. Impact of carbon and flooding on the metabolic diversity of microbial communities in soils. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:4043-4050.       

Bossio, D.A., and K.G. Cassman. 1991. Traditional rainfed barley production in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador: soil nutrient limitations and other constraints. Mountain Research and Development, vol. 11(2), pp. 115-126.

Books and Book Chapters

Bossio, D., Obersteiner M., Wironen M., Jung M., Wood S., Folberth C., Boucher T., Alleway H., Simons R., Bucien K., Dowell L., Cleary D., Jones R. 2021 Foodscapes: Toward Food System Transition, The Nature Conservancy, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and SYSTEMIQ, ISBN: 978-0-578-31122-7

Bossio, D. and Geheb, K. 2008. Conserving Land, Protecting Water. Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, Oxford, UK, CABI Publishing, 235 pp.

Bossio, D. and Geheb, K. 2008. Conserving Land, Protecting Water: an Introduction. 2008. In Bossio, D. A. and Geheb, K. (eds) Conserving Land, Protecting Water: Bright Spots’ Reversing the Trends in Land and Water Degradation. Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, Oxford, UK, CABI Publishing, pp xi –xviii..

Trabucco, A., Bossio, D., and van Stratten, O. 2008. Carbon sequestration, land degradation and water. In Bossio, D. A. and Geheb, K. (eds) Conserving Land, Protecting Water: Bright Spots’ Reversing the Trends in Land and Water Degradation. Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, Oxford, UK, CABI Publishing, pp 83-106.

Bossio D., Noble, A. Aloysius N., Pretty, J., Penning de Vries, F. 2008. Ecosystem benefits of ‘Bright Spots’. In: Bossio, D. A. and Geheb, K. (eds) Conserving Land, Protecting Water. Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, Oxford, UK, CABI Publishing, pp. 205-224.

Bossio, D.A., Noble, A., Molden, D., and V. Nangia. 2008. Land degradation and water productivity in agricultural landscapes. In: Bossio, D. A. and Geheb, K. (eds) Conserving Land, Protecting Water. Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, Oxford, UK, CABI Publishing, pp. 20-32.

Noble, A., Bossio, D., Pretty, J., Penning de Vries, F. 2008. ‘Bright spots’: Pathways to ensuring food security and environmental integrity. In: Bossio, D. A. and Geheb, K. (eds) Conserving Land, Protecting Water. Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, Oxford, UK, CABI Publishing, pp. 191 -204.

Valentin, C., Bossio,D., Boonsaner, A., Guzman, M.T.L., Phachornphonh, K., Subagyono, K., Toan, T.D. Janeau, J.L., Orange, D. Ribolzi, O. 2006. Improving catchment management on sloping land in Southeast Asia.In: Rocchi, D. (ed.) France and the CGIAR: Delivering Scientific Results for Agricultural Development. CGIAR. Pp68-72.

Selected Presentations and invited panels

Bossio, D.. Panelist. Race to Zero Soil as a Climate Solution. Nov 17 2020.

Bossio, D. Keynote Enhancing investment in soil health and carbon storage: Frontiers for linking finance and carbon accounting. Sept 20, 2020

Bossio, D. World Tour of Soil Carbon. Nature’s Climate Hub, NY, NY 23 Sep, 2019

Bossio, D. Incentives for soil carbon conservation and enhancement. 4per1000Conference, Poitiers, France 20 June 2019.

Bossio, D. 2018. Soil as a Climate Solution. 4per1000Day COP24, Katowice, Poland, 13 Dec 2018

Bossio, D. 2017. There is Hope in Soil. There is Hope in Soil Workshop, Danone side event alongside UNFCCC COP23, Bonn, Germany 16 Nov 2017.

Bossio, D. 2017. Nature Climate Solutions.  Toward safe, effective, and sustainable use of negative emissions approaches. UNFCCC COP23 Side Event, Bonn, Germany 15 Nov 2017.

Smith, L. Clemens, L. Bossio, D., Veum K. Moore, J., Mylavarapu, R., Conveners. 2017. Managing for Conservation Outcome: Innovation for Soil Health and Ecosystem Services. A Special Cross-Scoiety Technical Session, sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, Tampa, Florida, 23 Oct, 2017

Adams, J. and Bossio D. 2017 Lands of Opportunity. Sequestering Carbon in Soil, Addressing the Climate Threat Conference, Chantilly, France May 2017.

Soussana, J.F., Chotte, J.L., Saint-Macary, H., Wollenberg, L., Lal., Bossio D. 2016 4 per 1000: Soils for Food Security and Climate International Research Program. Side Event UNFCCC COP22 Marrakesh, Morocco 17 Dec 2016.

Bossio, D. 2016. Soil organic carbon for food security and climate. Invited panellist, Unexplored big wins for climate change through landscape restoration, Global Landscape Forum, Marrakesh, Morocco 16 Dec 2016.

Bossio, D. 2015. Soil matters and is a key element for climate change and a world without hunger, invited panelist. ‘Soil matters’ Side Event German Pavillion, Blue Zone, UNFCCC COP21. Paris, France. Dec 2015.

Bossio, D. 2015. Seeing the big picture on land restoration: how research supports key decisions.  Introduction to the session ‘putting pledges into practice in Latin America – an early assessment of the Initiative 20x20 from science, policy, and finance perspectives. Global Landscape Forum, Paris, France. Dec 2015.

Bossio, D. 2015. Soil carbon for food security and climate, CGIAR perspectives. ‘See you in Brussels,’ CIRAD, Brussels, Belgium, Nov 2015.

Bossio, D., Snyder, K., Okolo, W. 2015. Soil policies for sustainable land management. GIZ side event, UNCCD COP 12, Ankara, Turkey, Oct 2015. 

Bossio, D. 2015. Soil organic matter the bridge between the UNCCD and the UNFCCC. Rio Convention Pavilion, UNCCD COP12, Ankara, Turkey, Oct 2015.

Bossio, D. 2015. Soil organic matter for climate change: boon or bane for food security? 2015 Wageningen Soil Conference, Wageningen, Aug 24, 2015.

Bossio, D. 2014. Transforming the global landscape. Virtual briefing, Global Donor Platform for Rural Development, Jun 2014.

Bossio, D. 2014. Soils in the landscape. European Soil Partnership Plenary meeting. Ispra, Italy. May 2014.

Bossio, D and Janetschek, H. 2015. Soil fertility management – toward a joint paradigm, facilitators. Global Soil Week, Berlin, Germany, Apr 2015.

Bossio, D., Kizito, F., Cordingley, J., Desta, L. 2014. Re-thinking transitions in rainfed farming landscapes. Global Land Project Open Science meeting, Berlin, Germany, Mar 2014.

Bossio, Deborah. 2013. Putting Soils Back on the Global Agenda, Key Note address, 10th Biannual Pedometrics Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 26-31 August 2013.

Bossio, Deborah. 2012. Soils and resilience, much more than a slow variable. Plenary keynote. Tropentag, Göttingen, Germany. 19 September, 2012.

Bossio, Deborah. 2012. Why we need soils information. Global Soils Week, Berlin, Germany, 20th Nov 2012.

Bossio, Deborah. 2012. Soils research in the CGIAR. Global Soils Week, Berlin, Germany, 21th Nov 2012

Bossio, D., 2009, Water management in agriculture, challenges and way forward. SAI Platform’s 3rd Seminar on Water and Agriculture. Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7 Oct, 2009.

Bossio, D. and Molden D., 2009. Improving Agricultural Productivity, Water Use Efficiency and Strengthening Rural Livelihoods". UN DESA Bangkok, Thailand, 28 Jan 2009.

Bossio, D. 2008. Livestock and Water: Understanding the context based on the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. Systemwide Livestock Program Workshop on "Drivers" and Biofuels/Trade-offs", April 29-30, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Bossio, D., 2008. Key note address: Agriculture water management: adapting to an uncertain future. IMAWESA 3rd Regional Conference on Agricultural Water Management in Eastern and Southern Africa, 15th to 19th September 2008, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Bossio, D., 2008.  Impact of irrigation on poverty and the environment in Ethiopia and elsewhere. 2nd Forum on Irrigation & Water for Sustainable Development Program, December 15- 16, 2008. Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

Bossio, D. 2007. Land, water and livestock. Key note address. Harnessing Water Productivity in Crop-livestock Systems of sub-Saharan Africa through Improved Livestock and Water Interventions. Addis Ababa, September 24-26, 2007.

Bossio, D. 2006. Convener: Greening Upper Catchments, International Forum on Water and Food, November 13-17, 2006.

Bossio, D. 2006. Conserving land, protecting water: benefits for smallholders and the environment. Turning Assessment Findings into Action. World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden, August 2006.

Bossio, D. 2006. Small scale water innovations for ecosystem restoration in semi-arid agroecosystems. Keynote, Young Water Professionals Seminar. World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden, August 2006

Rijsberman, F., Bossio, D., and Noble, A.D. 2005. The Impact of Land Degradation and Improved Land Management on Water Productivity. International Conference of Soil, Water and Environmental Quality – Issues and Strategies, New Delhi, India, January 28-February 1, 2005.

Bossio, D., Zomer, R., Singh, P. 2004. Smallholder agroforestry provides local and global benefits in Northern India. First World Congress of Agroforestry, June 27 – July 2, Orlando, Florida.

Bossio, D. 2004.  Reversing Land and Water Degradation: Trends and Bright Spot Opportunities. SIWI/CA Seminar, Stockholm Water Week, August 21, 2004.

Bossio, D. 2004. Landscape management for sustainable water use in sloping uplands agriculture. Keynote Address: International Conference on Innovative Practices for Sustainable Sloping Lands and Watershed Management, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Sept. 5-9.

Bossio, D., Noble, A., Penning de Vries, F., Pretty, J., Molden, D. 2004. Linking land, soil, and water resource management. Watershed Management Challenges: Improved Productivity, Resources and Livelihoods. ICAR/IWMI/ICRISAT International Workshop. New Delhi, India, Nov 3-4, 2004.

Other Publications and Communications

On-going blog series Nature.org/soil Soil Solutions. “The Soil Science Imperative” “Soils and Climate—From Hidden Depths to Center Stage” “Carbon Market Incentives to Conserve, Restore and Enhance Soil Carbon” “Soil Management—A Foundational Strategy for Conservation” “Like Water for .... Soil” Nature Conservancy Global Insights.

Bossio, Deborah. 2015. Soil Organic Carbon and the 4‰ Initiative: Soils for food security and climate, November 27, 2015, CIAT Blog, https://ciat.cgiar.org/soils-2-2/soil-organic-carbon-and-the-4‰-initiative-soils-for-food-security-and-climate.

Bossio, Deborah, 2015, Thrive Blog: Podcast: Bringing soils back to life: A conversation with Deborah Bossio by Jeremy Cherfas on August 13, 2015 https://wle.cgiar.org/thrive/2015/08/13/podcast-bringing-soils-back-life-conversation-deborah-bossio

Bossio, Deborah. 2015 Changing the hippy discourse. Thrive WLE Blog. July 3, 2015, https://wle.cgiar.org/thrive/2015/07/02/changing-hippy-discourse

Bossio, Deborah. 2015. Can Africa afford to save its soils? April 21, 2015, Thrive WLE Blog, https://wle.cgiar.org/thrive/2015/04/21/can-africa-afford-save-its-soils

Bossio, Deborah. 2014. Building confidence in large-scale landscape restoration. December 11, 2014,Thrive WLE Blog, https://wle.cgiar.org/thrive/2014/12/10/building-confidence-large-scale-landscape-restoration

CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2014. Ecosystem services and resilience framework. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 46p. doi: 10.5337/2014.229

Bossio, Deborah. How do we ensure our landscapes support agriculture to increase wealth and equity in smallholder farming communities? October 18, 2013, WLE Thrive Blog, https://wle.cgiar.org/thrive/2013/10/18/how-do-we-ensure-our-landscapes-support-agriculture-increase-wealth-and-equity

Bossio, D. and others. 2007 Smallholder Systems Innovations “Science for Development Decision Makers”. Policy Brief, International Water Management Institute, Colombo.

Bhatt, Y., Bossio, D., Enfors, E., Gordon, L., Kongo, V., Kosgei, J., Makurira, H., Masuki, K., Mul, M., Tumbo, S. 2006. Smallholder System Innvations in Integrated Watershed Managemetn (SSI). IWMI Working Paper 109, pp 60.

Valentin, C., Bossio,D., Boonsaner, A., Guzman, M.T.L., Phachornphonh, K., Subagyono, K., Toan, T.D. Janeau, J.L., Orange, D. Ribolzi, O. 2006. Improving catchment management on sloping land in Southeast Asia.In: Rocchi, D. (ed.) France and the CGIAR: Delivering Scientific Results for Agricultural Development. CGIAR. Pp68-72.