Nanoparticles allow pesticides to be applied directly where they are needed while reducing the amount used. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPhoto: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Nanoparticles are a sustainable weapon against soil pests

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According to the University of California, the use of plant-derived nanoparticles can reduce the amount of pesticides used and the chances of soil contamination
Typha plants have been found to be particularly effective in absorbing salt. Photo: Bogdan CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedPhoto: Bogdan CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

Invasive plants can remove excess salt at the roadsides

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Some plants help clear roadsides of salt and pollutants, a research has found. But their contribution is not enough. De-icing applications need to be reduced
In agricultural systems based on the contribution of rainfall, the ability of the soil to retain water is decisive in providing adequate yields: Photo: John Sutton CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 GenericJohn Sutton CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

FAO: the future of agriculture is linked to the water-soil relationship

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Managing soil water in an effective way is a key condition for developing agriculture capable of meeting global demand under the scenario of climate change, FAO notes
Pollen from several bee species show traces of pesticides. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Pesticides persist in bee pollen, study says

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An Irish study shows that pollen from several bee species retains traces of toxic substances from neonicotinoids. And researchers are concerned
The term "permafrost" refers to the type of perennially frozen (but not necessarily ice-covered) soil found in some cold regions. Photo: NPS Climate Change Response CC BY 2.0 DEED https://www.flickr.com/photos/npsclimatechange/27759123542Photo: NPS Climate Change Response CC BY 2.0 DEED

Superficial permafrost could (almost) disappear by 2100

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By the end of the century, near-surface permafrost may exist only in the highlands of eastern Siberia, the High Arctic and northern Greenland. As was the case 3 million years ago
The 17 new research projects funded by the European Commission will serve to achieve some of the objectives of the EU Soil Mission.EU Commission

Mission Soil, the EU Commission allocates €90 million for 17 research projects

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The approved projects will help to restore soil health, protecting biodiversity and food production. 314 research centers will be involved, coming from 32 countries. A further step to achieve the 2030 objectives of the Mission Soil
Characterized by semi-arid biomes, the Caatinga Forest in eastern Brazil is one of the richest areas in the world in terms of biodiversity. Photo: NiaziGamer CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalNiaziGamer CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Climate change puts 40 percent of biodiversity in eastern Brazil at risk

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In the Catinga forest rising temperatures threaten to destroy nearly half the biodiversity by 2060, a Brazilian study says. Ecosystem services are under threat
Earthworms help create healthy soils by promoting plant growth and contributing to the transformation of organic matter. Photo: USDA NRCS Montana public domainPhoto: USDA NRCS Montana public domain

Earthworms play a critical role in global food production

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According to a University of Colorado study, earthworms contribute about 6.5 percent of global grain production and 2.3 percent of legume production. Totaling more than 140 million tons per year
In the Corn Belt, where the majority of U.S. agricultural production is concentrated, climate change is set to impact agricultural yields. Photo: Steven Martin Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Photo: Steven Martin Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

This is how climate change will alter U.S. agriculture

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Climate change is set to impact agricultural yields in the U.S. Midwest, a study by the University of Connecticut says. "Data suggest a 12 percent decrease in corn yields by around 2050 and 40 percent by the end of the century"
The influence exerted on the population composition of microorganisms comes from the ability of earthworms to influence soil structure, pH, nutrient availability and organic matter. Photo: benketaro Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)benketaro Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Earthworms are changing Canadian forests

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Invasive species of earthworm affect microbial composition by altering overall soil conditions, Canadian research explains. Influencing nutrient and carbon cycling