Increasing urbanization results in the conversion of natural ecosystems into residential areas that incorporate green areas such as parks or lawns. Photo: Md. Nabial Haramian Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Md. Nabial Haramian Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Urbanization promotes increasing emissions from the soil

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As a result of urbanization, soil nitrous oxide emissions increase 153%, according to a new study. At the same time, the ability to absorb methane is reduced
Under drought conditions, microbes produce more atmospheric compounds than they consume. Photo: Flore de Preneuf / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Flore de Preneuf / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Here’s how drought stress alters soil function in the rainforest

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Drought progressively reduces the ability of soil to consume biogenic volatile organic compounds according to a German study. The emission intensifies after soil rewetting
When installing photovoltaic panels in the ground, leveling, excavation and burial operations can cause erosion. Photo: Mark Buckawicki CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Mark Buckawicki CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Solar farms may encourage soil erosion in U.S.

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Virginia Tech researchers will analyze erosion risk in the state's solar installations. In the U.S., the problem is real. But several solutions are available
Present in several products, including fire extinguisher foam, fluoride-based pollutants, so-called PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are extremely difficult to dispose of. Photo: Brett Clashman, U.S. Air Force Public domainPhoto: Brett Clashman, U.S. Air Force Public domain

Ball milling cleans soil of persistent fluoride

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Researchers in New Zealand are testing a solution against fluoride pollution. The technique has made it possible to degrade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the molecular level with 99.9 percent efficacy
L’abbandono delle aree interne e la crisi climatica hanno trasformato le campagne europee, e, con esse, gli incendi che ogni estate colpiscono il continente. FOTO: Karsten Winegeart su Unsplash

Depopulation is changing the fire map of Europe

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L’abbandono delle aree rurali e la crisi climatica hanno trasformato le campagne europee. Con esse cambia la fotografia degli incendi che ogni estate colpiscono il continente
Due to their high carbon sequestration capacity, mangroves are estimated to be able to prevent total emissions of more than 21 billion tons of CO2 worldwide. Photo: Sigit Deni Sasmito/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Sigit Deni Sasmito/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Saudi Arabia also bets on mangroves

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The Kingdom plans to plant 50 to 100 million mangrove trees "in the coming years." An initiative to protect biodiversity that once again highlights the key role of this plant species in mitigating climate and contributing to soil protection
With this latest initiative, the UN aims to bring out good practices for tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. Photo: Global Water Partnership Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Global Water Partnership Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

UN is looking for its young Land Heroes

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There is time until Oct. 15 to apply for UNCCD Land Heroes, the UN campaign that aims to bring out success stories in combating drought, desertification and land degradation
Aberdare forest in Kenya. 67% of heterotrophic respiration of microbes is located in tropical soils. Photo: Wanjikucha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Wanjikucha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil microbes will release 40 percent more CO2 by 2100

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Climate change is increasing the respiration of soil microbes and related CO2 emissions. A phenomenon, says a Swiss study, set to accelerate between now and the end of the century
The Tibetan Plateau represents the largest area of Alpine permafrost and a large store of organic carbon. Photo: Rita Willaert Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Rita Willaert Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

In Tibetan permafrost 54% of the carbon comes from microbes

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A Chinese study quantifies for the first time the weight of major soil organic carbon components released due to rising temperatures
The Amazon region of Bolivia is home to more than 1.2 million inhabitants, many of them belonging to 29 different indigenous peoples. Photo: Dirk Embert / WWF Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Germany (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE)Dirk Embert / WWF Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Germany (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE)

Amazonia, rights, deforestation: “Bolivia has not kept its promises”

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Since 2009, the Constitution of Bolivia has promoted the protection of the rights of native peoples and the environment. But the exploitation of natural resources, The Conversation accuses, continues and deforestation is increasing

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