Mulching films are a potential source of microplastic pollution. Photo: François Molle/IRD CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericFrançois Molle/IRD CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

Microplastics affect soil fungi according to drought conditions

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The impact of microplastics on the soil fungal community is affected by soil moisture content, a German study has found
Caribbean islands are particularly prone to flash drought. Photo: Connie Ma CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 GenericConnie Ma CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generi

A new method for measuring flash drought in the Caribbean

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Drought is increasingly threatening Caribbean islands. If we want to measure, anticipate and mitigate its effects, a U.S. study notes, we need to rely on a new index
The study analyzed changes in forest cover in the Emerald Network protected areas located in the Luhansk region, which has been under partial Russian control for the past ten years. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalState Emergency Service of Ukraine CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Forests in Ukraine are collateral victims of Russian invasion

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In Ukraine's territories under partial Russian control since 2014, the area of forests has shrunk by 25 percent. This is shown by an American research involving two institutes in Kiev
Biocrusts widely found on the Great Wall of China can slow the erosion process, thus contributing to the preservation of the structure. Photo: Peter Dowley CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericPeter Dowley CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

Biocrusts protect The Great Wall of China from erosion

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Typical of arid or semi-arid expanses, soil bio-crusts are an important and undervalued natural resource. An international study has highlighted their ability to counter erosion
Plant diversity can stabilize soil temperature year-round. Photo: Pxhere CC0 1.0 DEED CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPxhere CC0 1.0 DEED CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Biodiversity stabilizes soil temperature all year long

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In the parts of the soil characterized by greater plant diversity, there is a buffer effect that prevents excessive warming or cooling during the hottest and coldest times of the year, a German study says
Forest fragmentation is the process of dividing forested areas into smaller parts by cutting down trees Photo: Riccardo Pravettoni CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 GenericRiccardo Pravettoni CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

In the Amazon, forest fragmentation changes the shape of trees

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A study from the University of Helsinki highlights how trees in forests change their appearance to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Results are relevant on a global scale
Forests play a key role in climate regulation but it is not easy to determine exactly how much carbon they absorb and how much they release into the atmosphere. Photo: Pedro Biondi/ABr CC BY 3.0 BR DEED Attribution 3.0 BrazilPedro Biondi/ABr CC BY 3.0 BR DEED Attribution 3.0 Brazil

Data on forest emissions are still diverging. But there is a solution

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Data on forest emissions are still diverging. But there is a solution
Grasslands store one-third of the Earth's global carbon stock. Photo: Eric Van Lochem CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalPhoto: Eric Van Lochem CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Canada’s grasslands are getting hotter and drier

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A study by the University of Alberta has described for the first time the changes that have occurred in the country's grasslands over the past 120 years and the consequences for agriculture
Soil carbon stock decreases in forests dominated by arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi and increases in those where ectomycorrhizal species dominate. Photo: Nicolas Raymond CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericPhoto: Nicolas Raymond CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

This is how fungi regulate the carbon cycle in forests

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Chinese research highlights how different categories of mycorrhizal fungi record different nutrient uptake while impacting biomass and soil carbon
Soil conservation maximizes the potential of agriculture while limiting emissions. Photo: Matthias Ripp CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericPhoto: Matthias Ripp CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

“Soil care is crucial to ensure food security”, WEF says

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To meet growing food demand while capturing proper volumes of greenhouse gases, soil health must be a priority, says the World Economic Forum. Precision agriculture is essential