A spreader unloads crushed metabasalt rock on a fallowed corn field in the Central Valley. Photo: Amy Quinton/ UC Davis, for media useAmy Quinton/ UC Davis, for media use

Crushed volcanic rock helps soil capture carbon

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A new study highlights the effectiveness of rock dust in aiding the process. Even under severe drought conditions
There are still nearly 377 million acres of intact grasslands in the Great Plains of North America. Photo: Ammchale CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalAmmchale CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Canada and U.S. have lost 130,000 km2 of grasslands in ten years

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According to WWF's latest study, in the past year, grasslands have ceded nearly 6,500 km2 of soil to conversion. With obvious consequences for carbon release
Soil temperature investigations have previously faced a lack of reliable data. Photo: Kris Lord CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericPhoto: Kris Lord CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

Climate change intensifies extreme heat in the soil

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According to a German study, extreme heat events occur more frequently in the soil than in the air. Germany, France, Italy and central Europe are the most affected areas
Plant diversity assessment at a survey site in the prairies of the northwestern United States. Photo: Mary Ellyn DuPre / Press release (May be published without charge in articles about this press release.Mary Ellyn DuPre / Press release (May be published without charge in articles about this press release.

Declining biodiversity reduces carbon sequestration in grasslands

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A Swedish study shows that the soil carbon content of global grasslands increases with plant diversity and that this relationship is particularly strong in warm, arid climates
L'attività umana ha accelerato il tasso di estinzione naturale dei vertebrati di 22 volte. Foto: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required Learn more

In protected areas, the loss of biodiversity among vertebrates is reduced by five times

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Study from the US analyzed trends in vertebrate populations by measuring the effectiveness of land protection policies
Some soil bacteria can be particularly resilient during drought. Photo: PantheraLeo1359531 CC BY 4.0 DEED Attribution 4.0 InternationalPantheraLeo1359531 CC BY 4.0 DEED Attribution 4.0 International

Some soil bacteria will adapt to climate change

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An Austrian study highlighted the behavior of soil bacteria during drought. "Simulating future climate conditions actually resulted in more bacteria remaining active despite drought," the authors explain
Rain causes a reset of the soil ecosystem, triggering the activity of bacteria and viruses. Photo: 2140261AishwaryaShinde CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International2140261AishwaryaShinde CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

New insights into the relationship between viruses and soil bacteria

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According to UC Davis researchers, soil viruses appear to act "like lawnmowers, culling older cells and giving space for new growth"
Drought alert. Water shortages could increase significantly, particularly in the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. Photo: Roberto AI CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 GenericRoberto AI CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

Europe will be facing drought more often

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The Commission has made available a database and a continental atlas of drought risk. A study of past data reveals negative predictions: the phenomenon will occur more often in the future
To build sustainable carbon cycles, technologies for nature-based solutions capable of bringing organic matter back into the soil are essential. PHOTO: Matteo BerlengaMatteo Berlenga

The States General of the Soil return to Rimini

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The date is for November 9th. Objective: to create an opportunity for discussion between the academic and institutional actors, involved in defining best practices in favor of the soil. Two sessions and dozens of experts are scheduled
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

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