14% of all active ingredients in US pesticides are classified as PFAS, a compound type that poses a danger to the environment and human health. Photo: CGP Grey Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedCGP Grey Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Pesticides in the US are still full of PFAS

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The data of the first study on the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in US pesticides. According to two US organisations, 14% of all active ingredients in US pesticides are PFAS
New instruments are being developed in Missouri to detect soil nutrients quickly, reliably and inexpensively. Photo: pxhere CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deedpxhere CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

US researchers test a sensor to assess nutrient loss

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A research project at the University of Missouri describes the potential of a new instrument to detect the presence of phosphorous- and nitrogen-based nutrients in the soil. An innovation that would pave the way for a more sustainable use of fertilisers
By applying the most suitable forest restoration system in each location, 31.4 billion tonnes of CO2 could be sequestered globally. Photo: Neb Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedPhoto: Neb Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Mixed forest regeneration optimises carbon sequestration

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An American study quantifies the efficiency of different forest regeneration methods. By applying the most cost-effective system for each location, around 10 billion tonnes more CO2 can be sequestered at the same cost
About one third of the desert areas in China where a solar park had been built experienced vegetation recovery. Photo: Planet Labs Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedPlanet Labs Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Are China’s solar parks a viable tool against desertification?

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In China, the expansion of photovoltaic installations is reportedly helping to combat desertification. An interesting hypothesis given the scale of the problem. But the issue is still controversial
So far, the Arctic has managed to preserve its plant biodiversity. But things are changing. Photo: Billy Lindblom Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedBilly Lindblom Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Invasive plants threaten Arctic biodiversity

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Biodiversity at risk: Norwegian research provides a picture of the growing presence of invasive plants on Svalbard. "We need to prevent the phenomenon," scientists explain
Alain-Richard Donwahi is Chair of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). PHOTO: UNCCD Archive

“Desertification is the greatest environmental challenge of our time”

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The phenomenon involves 168 countries, over 3 billion people and 10% of the world's soils. Alain-Richard Donwahi, President of the UNCCD (UN Convention against desertification) explains the importance of the "forgotten COP"
The rate of permafrost erosion could even triple by the end of the century, thus impacting the climate. Photo: Brandt Meixell, USGS CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedBrandt Meixell, USGS CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

Permafrost erosion reduces carbon sequestration in the oceans

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A German study shows how permafrost erosion on the coast of the Arctic Ocean leads to an almost 15 per cent decrease in the seawater's ability to store CO2
The sounds produced by invertebrates are an indicator of soil biodiversity. Photo: Gabriel González Free for personal and commercial use Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedGabriel González Free for personal and commercial use Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Ecoacoustics: how soil sounds measure biodiversity

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Australian research has highlighted the correlation between the complexity of noise produced by invertebrate communities and the level of soil biodiversity
In the future, says the bacteria-based model, the area of grasslands characterised by alkaline soils will expand. Photo: Shizhao Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedShizhao Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Bacteria help predict soil acidity in grasslands

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A new Chinese model based on bacterial analysis allows to estimate changes in grasslands. By 2100, soil acidity will decrease especially in North-East Asia, Africa and Oceania
In Brazil, 54% of native villages in the Amazon basin are subject to isolation during severe droughts. Photo: James Martins Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0 DeedPhoto: James Martins Attribution 3.0 Unported CC BY 3.0 Deed

Indigenous communities in the forest pay the price of drought

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Drought leads to a prolonged lowering of river levels in the Amazon causing local communities to become isolated, a study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona has found. This problem affects more than 50% of indigenous villages

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