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
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
In some Asian countries, the frequency of flash drought events has increased from 20% to 80%. Photo: Bioversity International/S.Landersz ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVS 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DeedBioversity International/S.Landersz ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVS 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed

Flash drought is becoming increasingly frequent in Asia

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In some Asian countries, says research, the frequency of sudden drought events has increased from 20 to 80 per cent in just two decades. But the phenomenon is now global
Carbon sequestered from miombo forests in Mozambique could exceed estimates by 2.2 times. Photo: Lichinga ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedLichinga ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Mozambique’s forests store more carbon than expected

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A new study revises estimates for miombo forests upwards. Carbon from these ecosystems in Mozambique could be 2.2 times higher than previously assumed
The accelerated loss of phosphorus from soils linked to climate change is a threat to agricultural production globally. Photo: Alandmanson ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedAlandmanson ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Warmer climate accelerates global phosphorus loss

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A Chinese study reported an increase in atmospheric phosphorus flux in a global annual average temperature range of 20°C to 23°C. With potential consequences for agriculture
Lo studio ha confrontato i risultati ambientali e socioeconomici raggiunti nelle aree protette dell'Amazzonia brasiliana. Foto: Marek Krzystkiewicz ATTRIBUTION 2.0 GENERIC CC BY 2.0 Deed

Amazon, land protection initiatives have reduced deforestation by 83%

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In the first decade of the century, the Amazon experienced a sharp decline in deforestation, explains an international study. But the economic benefits for the indigenous people have been limited. This is why new initiatives are needed
Due to their carbon sequestration potential, forests are an essential resource in climate change mitigation. Photo: USDA Nicholas A Toneli Creative Commons; Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)USDA Nicholas A Toneli Creative Commons; Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Forests still offset half of global fossil emissions

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The world's forests, an American study notes, absorb between 3.5 and 4 billion tonnes of carbon each year. Equivalent to "nearly half of the carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels between 1990 and 2019."

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