In the modern context of global climatic challenges and anthropogenic pressure on the ecosystems of Central Asia, the development of interdisciplinary cooperation is becoming a key factor for sustainable development. Of particular importance is the interaction between the theoretical research of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover (German: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover), its structural subdivision — the Institute of Soil Science (Institute of Earth System Sciences), and the practical activities of the Kazakhstani center for the preparation and implementation of scientific projects, "Flood MAR". The basis for this interaction is the upcoming international project "EXSOIL", aimed at developing a network of competence centers in the field of soil science.
The Institute of Soil Science brings a profound theoretical background and modern analytical methods to the cooperation, based on the study of soil functions, carbon and nutrient cycling, as well as the modeling of geophysical, geochemical, and climatic processes. Professor Georg Guggenberger, a recognized expert in the field of soil science with a specialization in forest and permafrost soils, soil biogeochemistry, and sustainable resource management, shares his many years of experience in this field with the members of the research group.
According to the envisioned concept, within the framework of the future "EXSOIL" project under the professor's leadership, the emphasis shifts from a narrow sector-specific approach to a systemic understanding of soil as a living, multifunctional system. This cooperation focuses on three main areas.
The first area is capacity building and human resource development. It involves organizing joint field schools, professional development courses, and internships for young scientists and specialists. This will allow not only for the formation of a new generation of researchers but also for the direct transfer of advanced international knowledge and methodologies into the agrarian sector of Kazakhstan.
The second area is the modernization of laboratory infrastructure. A key tool here will be the expansion of the capacities of specialized laboratories (for example, following the model of the Analytical Center for Soil and Crop Quality of the S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University / A.I. Barayev NPC), replacing stationary laboratories with digital ecosystems in agriculture, as well as implementing unified regional analysis standards within the international GLOSOLAN and SEALNET networks.
The practical use of such platforms allows specialists to conduct high-tech analyses — from stable isotope evaluation to molecular biological research — to justify their projects. The main result will be expanding partners' access to modern infrastructure and increasing data accuracy for land resource management.
The third area is status analysis and data integration, focusing on a deep analysis of current scientific and educational programs. The integration of experience occurs through the creation of institutional foundations for a regional repository of standardized soil data, which aggregates data arrays from long-term agricultural experiments and field observations. This allows for the harmonization of theoretical approaches with the practical requirements of the industry.
The ultimate outcome of this international cooperation will be not only more sustainable land use and yield stabilization under the changing climate conditions of the Central Asian Region (CAR) but also the preparation of at least one major international project to ensure long-term collaboration.