Data from the Joint Research Centre snapshot the health of the continental soil showing numbers in line with past predictions. Photo: François Molle/IRD Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)François Molle/IRD Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

61% of European soil is unhealthy, JRC confirms

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Joint Research Centre data snapshot the health of continental soils, showing numbers in line with past predictions. Organic carbon reduction, biodiversity loss and peatland deterioration are the most widespread problems
European Parliament Press Archive

Green deal, new EU targets approved for carbon sequestration

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The European Parliament approved the revision of the regulation relating to the LULUCF (Land use and forestry sector). By 2030, the sector will have to guarantee the absorption of 310 Mt of CO2, 15% more than today. Expected binding obligations for all EU Member States
Fungi appear to accelerate plant growth in forests by promoting CO2 removal. Photo: Nicolas Raymond Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Nicolas Raymond Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Can soil fungi counteract climate change?

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Fungi appear to accelerate plant growth by promoting CO2 removal. A Texas company wants to explore this potential in the market for emission credits
Urban biodiversity at risk. By mid-century, 70 percent of the world's population will live in cities. Photo: Loozrboy Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) Loozrboy Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Loss of urban biodiversity is a threat to human health

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Loss of microbial biodiversity in degraded soils, which is particularly prevalent in cities, promotes the spread of bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance, says an international study. Restoring green spaces, by contrast, creates a biological barrier to their spread
Transplanted soil adds organic matter and other chemical and physical properties to degraded soil. Photo: NRCS by Aaron Roth. Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)NRCS by Aaron Roth. Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Soil transplanting allows regeneration of degraded lands

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Transferring a healthy soil mass to a degraded area can ensure rapid restoration, explain researchers at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology. An important finding in the global scenario. But more studies are needed
In the U.S., the area affected by wildfires each year has more than tripled in the past 40 years. Photo: Eric Coulter Bureau of Land Management California Public Domain Mark 1.0Eric Coulter Bureau of Land Management California Public Domain Mark 1.0

Soil analysis can help prevent wildfires

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Wildfires can be predicted through soil moisture assessment. But data collection in the field is not always easy. A group of US researchers is trying to solve the problem
According to the study, 40 percent of businesses and companies that contribute the most to deforestation have not yet developed a plan to reduce their impact on the phenomenon. Photo: Andrew Taylor/WDM Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Andrew Taylor/WDM Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

4 out of 10 companies have made no commitment against deforestation

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According to Global Canopy 201 of the 500 companies and financial firms most exposed to deforestation have taken no action to address the problem. Financial institutions perform worse than non-financial companies
Over the past 25 years, pesticide total toxicity has increased in Germany for fish, terrestrial plants, and soil organisms. Photo: Stefan Thiesen Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Stefan Thiesen Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Pesticide impact on plants and soil grows in Germany

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Over the past 25 years, pesticide total toxicity in Germany has increased for fish, land plants and soil organisms, a research from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern-Landau has found. EU wants to cut use of chemicals in half by 2030 but its metrics are not convincing
Sacks of gum arabic at the market in Al Obaied, Sudan. The country is the world's second-largest producer of this resin extracted from acacia and used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Photo: Salahaldeen Nadir / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Salahaldeen Nadir / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

In Sudan, gum arabic cultivation promotes soil conservation

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As the world's second-largest producer of gum arabic, Sudan is called upon to protect acacia trees, the plants from which the substance is generated and which have always proved an effective weapon in countering desertification
Salt has always been used on roads to help melt ice during winter periods Photo: Michael Pereckas from Milwaukee, WI, USA Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Michael Pereckas from Milwaukee, WI, USA Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Antifreeze salt impacts groundwater year-round

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Used in winter to melt ice from roads, salt seeps deep into groundwater until it reaches surface waters. A University of Delaware study illustrates some of the dynamics that affect the phenomenon

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