@misc{10481/97130,
year = {2024},
month = {10},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/97130},
abstract = {This article provides personal and professional assessments from disciples, colleagues
and friends of Jaume Porta Casanellas (Barcelona, 1944; Lleida, 2023), a prominent
soil scientist. He began his agricultural engineering studies at the Polytechnic University
of Madrid (UPM) where he met Marta López-Acevedo, his wife and outstanding
collaborator. At UPM, he started his early work in soil science under the guidance
of Professor Carlos Roquero who became his mentor and friend. Jaume Porta was a
dedicated, passionate soil scientist who engaged extensively in teaching and research
in Soil Science, while also excelling as a manager. He emerged as a leader due to his
initiatives in promoting Soil Science in Catalonia and Spain, and for his forward-thinking
vision, evident in his decisions as Rector of the University of Lleida, which have
significantly contributed to the city’s development. From the beginning, he
advocated for detailed (1:25,000) soil mapping of Catalonia to enhance territorial
planning and agricultural progress. His primary research focus was on salt-affected
soils and soils with gypsum, alongside soil erosion and conservation. Porta devoted a
lot of effort to improve soil field descriptions with his Agenda de campo. He played a key
role in standardizing soil analytical methods, establishing large series laboratories in
Spain, notably the LAF in Sidamon (Lleida), and aligning Spanish soil labs with the
international GLOSOLAN network. As president of the SECS, he energized activities
and encouraged member participation. His educational publications, mainly his
comprehensive textbook Edafología, are considered fundamental in Soil
Science across Spanish-speaking countries, as is the Multilingual Dictionary of Soil
Science, representing the pinnacle of his efforts to rigorously disseminate soil science
concepts and terms in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, and Portuguese. He contributed
significantly to international Soil Science courses in Mexico and played a key role in
establishing the JADE postgraduate training program. He facilitated the creation and
international visibility of the Spanish Journal of Soil Science. Additionally, he
advocated for the establishment of the Soil Sciences Documentation Centre (Ce.SECS) to preserve historical publications and the legacy of soil scientists. Jaume Porta’s enduring impact, both professionally and personally, will be felt for years to come.},
publisher = {Frontiers Media},
keywords = {soil education},
keywords = {history of soil science},
keywords = {multilingual dictionary of soil science (DiccMCS)},
title = {A Tribute to Jaume Porta Casanellas and His Influence on Soil Science},
doi = {10.3389/sjss.2024.13563},
author = {Alcañiz, Josep M. and Aran, Miquel and Boixadera, Jaume and Garcia Calderón, Norma E. and García Rodeja, Eduardo and Martínez Casasnovas, José A. and Ortiz Bernad, Irene and Poch, Rosa M. and Villar, Josep M.},
}