59% of global deforestation is caused by meat production and 33% by soy production, both occuring in the Amazon. Photo: Ben Lamb Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedBen Lamb Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Meat and soybean (plus coffee) are driving deforestation in the Amazon

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The latest WWF report identifies the main factors behind the ongoing phenomenon in the Amazon. Meat and soy top the list in terms of impact, ahead of cocoa, palm oil, and coffee
Permafrost, the authors note, covers about 17% of the Earth's surface and stores about one-third of the organic carbon in the world's soil. Photo: Boris Radosavljevic Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedBoris Radosavljevic Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Here’s how Arctic soil offsets emissions from alpine permafrost

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Climate change reduces the absorption of greenhouse gases by alpine permafrost but, at the same time, it stimulates CO2 and methane sequestration in Arctic frozen soil, a Chinese study has found. In the first case, global warming potential increases by 13%. In the second, it decreases by 10%
In China, vegetation restoration has reduced soil erosion from nearly 17.7 tons per hectare to less than 14 between 1990 and 2020. Image: PickPik Royalty-Free photoPickPik Royalty-Free photo

Vegetation restoration has curbed soil erosion in China (at least so far)

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According to research, soil regeneration in China has significantly reduced land erosion over the last 30 years. More extreme rainfall in the future, however, will raise the risks
Agricultural areas in 155 countries depend on forests in other countries for up to 40% of their annual rainfall. Photo: Peter Prokosch Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedPeter Prokosch Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

“Forests and agriculture are not in competition,” FAO says amid COP30

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At the Climate Conference, FAO promotes integration between sectors: “Food security depends on forests; conservation and restoration are crucial actions for increasing productivity.”
A wooded area in Koli National Park in the Finnish region of North Karelia. Here, as in many other regions of Europe, nature-based solutions reduce the risk of fires and make forests more resilient. Photo: Pentti Rautio Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedPentti Rautio Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Nature-based solutions are the key to preventing wildfires in Europe

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“Nature-based solutions reduce the growing risk of wildfires and make forests more resilient to climate change,” says European Environment Agency. Agroforestry, land moisture restoration and soil regeneration are the three recommended strategies
Annalisa Corrado is shadow rapporteur for the Soil Directive for the S&D Group in the European Parliament. PHOTO: © Mathieu CUGNOT - European Union 2025© Mathieu CUGNOT - European Union 2025

Corrado (S&D): “Soil Law strikes a balance between ambition and practicality”

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La relatrice ombra del gruppo S&D (Socialisti e Democratici) sulla nuova direttiva approvata dall’Europarlamento: “è una legge di partenza, che valorizza conoscenze ed esperienze virtuose dei territori”.
A study has proposed a framework for assessing European soil quality in a comprehensive manner by identifying quality indicators. Photo: Easy-Peasy.AI Free to useEasy-Peasy.AI Free to use

An integrated approach is needed for EU soil quality monitoring

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A new study reviews different soil assessment schemes. The “binary” system is the most suitable for macro evaluation. But tools for local investigations are also needed
The use of synthetic materials such as non-biodegradable plastic sheets is one of the major sources of contamination from microplastics in agricultural soils. Photo: Evelyn Simak Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedEvelyn Simak Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

Microplastics and agricultural soils: a winter school in Rome

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You can register until November 16 for the winter school organized in Rome by Università Cattolica — a two-day event (November 20–21) focused on understanding the impact of microplastics and exploring ways to address the issue.
In wetlands, diversity improves both nitrogen retention and removal processes, but has a more pronounced effect on the latter. Photo: shankar s. Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedPhoto: shankar s. Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Plant biodiversity promotes nitrogen removal in wetlands

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Greater plant diversity is positively correlated with the process of transforming nitrites and nitrates into nitrogen gas released into the atmosphere, according to a Chinese study. This discovery could contribute to planning the restoration of wetlands
By distinguishing between stable and unstable forms of carbon accumulation, the microbial pump-based assessment system allows for a more reliable evaluation of sustainable soil management practices. Photo: Rain Photography Pexels free to useRain Photography Pexels free to use

Chinese researchers propose a new indicator to assess soil carbon stability

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Research conducted by the Beijing Academy of Sciences has defined a new framework for assessing the Microbial Carbon Pump in soil. It distinguishes between stable and non stable organic matter (that is more easily decomposed and released)

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