Some companies are developing virtual reality programs to raise awareness of deforestation. Photo: Vu Hoang Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Vu Hoang Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

It takes a little empathy to fight deforestation

Sustainability Times: deforestation is perceived by many as a distant and uninvolving issue. The solution? Building empathy through the digital experience provided by virtual reality
Centella asiatica is one of the tropical plants that have proven most effective in natural remediation practices for contaminated soils. Photo: Rejin Narayanan Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Rejin Narayanan Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Tropical plants provide a solution for heavy metal-contaminated soils

According to a study by NTU Singapore twelve plants proven effective in phytoremediation of soils contaminated with cadmium, arsenic, lead and chromium. The findings confirm the potential of nature-based -interventions
AI-based soil analysis enables more efficient and sustainable use of fertilizer. Photo: pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPhoto: pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Artificial intelligence can reduce fertilizer use, UK researchers say

Artificial intelligence allows to predict the trend of nitrogen levels in soil, avoiding fertilizer overuse and related environmental damage according to Imperial College London
Mushrooms are able to absorb and break down many toxic substances, thus restoring soil health. Photo: Raffael Herrmann cc0.photo public domainPhoto: Raffael Herrmann cc0.photo public domain

Oil-eating mushrooms bring contaminated soil back to life

U.S. researchers test the ability of mushrooms to absorb and break down soil contaminants. A strategy to restore land by reducing the weight of waste
Deforestation in a nutshell. Between 2002 and 2018, the Brazilian Amazon lost more than 20 million hectares of tropical forest. Photo: Amazônia Real from Manaus AM, Brasil Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Amazônia Real from Manaus AM, Brasil Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

FAO, NASA and Google join forces to beat deforestation through data power

FAO announces the launch of a Data Partnership to tackle deforestation. The initiative is based on geospatial information, which is being increasingly used in recent years to monitor soil and risk areas.
Assessing carbon concentration is crucial for Malawi farmers who need to maximize the fertility of their soils. Photo: USAID Free to use CC0USAID Free to use CC0

Low cost technology helps African farmers to measure carbon in soil

In Malawi, a $400 calibrated reflectometer has allowed to record the carbon concentration in soil. A key step for better managing agricultural land
Soil analysis of the Mayon volcano in the Philippines has revealed some promising species of bacteria. Photo: Patryk Reba Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Patryk Reba Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil bacteria from a volcano bring new hope for cancer treatment

Scientists from the University of Los Baños have isolated 30 bacteria species found at the Mayon volcano, in the north of the country. One of them seems to have relevant antibiotic and antitumor properties.
jericho innovation soils fertilizers

Jericho: an Italian team invents a machine to analyze and treat sick soils

The invention is exhibited in the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale: the terraforming device, designed by the OFL Architecture studio, detects the amount of CO2 in the soil and then injects the biological fertilizers necessary to re-naturalize the soils lacking their original production capacity
In areas of the Peruvian Amazon monitored by drones, deforestation was halved in one year. Photo (generic image): Yoly Gutierrez/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Yoly Gutierrez/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Smartphones and drones help indigenous communities fight deforestation

Thanks to drones and satellite technology, the Peruvian Amazon has halved the deforestation of indigenous lands in one year.
Nematodes are essential players in the soil system providing benefits or damage depending on properties of 30,000 different species. Photo: Starlight Hunter Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Starlight Hunter Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

In Japan a DNA test unveals the secrets of soil nematodes

Genetic testing also works with nematodes, which are crucial for ecosystem. A new study from offers new perspectives for the study of soil

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