Industrial plastic granules on a beach on the Aquitaine coast. In France, 76 percent of soils surveyed are contaminated with microplastics. Photo: Maldeseine Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedMaldeseine Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Three quarters of soils in France contaminated with microplastics

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A study by the Agency for Ecological Transition reveals that 76 percent of soils examined contain microplastics between 0.3 and 5 millimeters in size. Polyethylene is the most prevalent polymer
In the past five years, the Brazilian Amazon has experienced about 1 million fires. Photo: Ibama from Brasil Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedIbama from Brasil Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Fires in Brazilian Amazon set a bleak record increasing 42% in one year

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This was claimed by the National Institute for Space Research. The Brazilian Amazon has experienced about 1 million fires in the past five years. Worst drought in 74 years played a crucial role
In California's Central Valley, nitrogen contamination poses a significant risk. Photo: DJ Fogbound Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedDJ Fogbound Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Climate change and extreme events promote nitrogen contamination

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In California, the interaction between drought and subsequent rainfall promotes the dispersion of nitrogen that can reach surface waters, explains a U.S. study
Rice quality in China and Japan is likely to decline further in the future due to climate change. Photo: Park Misoo CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedPark Misoo CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

Climate change reduces rice quality in China and Japan

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According to a Chinese study, the quality of rice has been deteriorating for decades, and the phenomenon is unlikely to slow down over this century
According to the study, freshwater wetlands boast the highest carbon sequestration potential. Photo: Doug Beckers Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedAccording to the study, freshwater wetlands boast the highest carbon sequestration potential. Photo: Doug Beckers Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

A Tea Bag Tells the Story of Carbon Sequestration in Wetlands

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An unusual experiment sheds light on the impact of climate change on carbon capture in the Earth’s wetlands. In freshwater areas and tidal marshes lies the greatest sequestration potential 
Some soil microbes can help plants grow larger flowers thus attracting more bees. Photo: David Levinson Pexels Free to useDavid Levinson Pexels Free to use

Soil microbes help plants to attract bees

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According to a UC Berkeley study, mycorrhizal fungi impact flower characteristics and, consequently, the number and duration of visits by bees
Worldwide, land degradation is growing by 1 million square kilometers per year, explains the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Drylands include three-quarters of Africa. Photo. Aaron Minnick | World Resources Institute Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedAaron Minnick | World Resources Institute Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

“Land degradation is expanding by 1m km2 a year”

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Postdam researchers' snapshot: "transformative actions are needed to stop land degradation". Without reversing course “the Earth's ability to sustain human and environmental well-being is compromised”
The PREPSOIL project was established with the aim of spreading good practices in soil management and education for the younger generation.Prepsoil

Prepsoil designs the future of research and innovation structures

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Prepsoil project presents two reports on taxonomy and economic sustainability of Living Labs and Lighthouse Farms, key players in developing new ideas and solutions for soil health
The agricultural sector faces economic and environmental pressures today to reduce the use of herbicides. Photo: Zeynel Cebeci Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedZeynel Cebeci Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Artificial vision allows to reduce the use of herbicides

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Thanks to a sensing system, some farm machinery offers the opportunity to use less herbicide by detecting weeds and distributing treatments in a targeted manner
Soil hosts a huge number of microbes capable of producing effective antibiotics that have yet to be discovered. Photo: USDA Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal PDM 1.0 DeedUSDA Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal PDM 1.0 Deed

Soil is a surprising reservoir of new antibiotics

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Soil, a Dutch study recalls, harbors a huge number of microbes capable of producing effective and as yet unknown antibiotics. Genetic investigation makes it possible to identify them

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