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A deciduous forest in Western Europe. According to the EU Environment Agency, from land use, land use change and forestry, the continent saves nearly 200 million tonnes of carbon each year. Photo: sharloch Attribution - Noncommercial - No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deedsharloch Attribution - Noncommercial - No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed

Europe’s soil carbon sink declines (but the trend can be reversed)

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According to the EU Environment Agency, from land use, land use change and forestry, Europe saves almost 200 million tonnes of carbon each year. Compared to 330 recorded on average between 1991 and 2013
Grasslands are home to a wide variety of plant species and provide numerous ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, support for pollinators and grazing for livestock. But they are also some of thh most threatened ecosystems due to human activities, including land use change and intensive agricultural practices. Photo: Cortez Rohr/USFWS Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal PDM 1.0 DeedCortez Rohr/USFWS Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal PDM 1.0 Deed

Study reveals how much nitrogen grasslands can tolerate

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According to researchers, applying more than 80 kg of nitrogen per hectare in a year would make grasslands “functionally poor, highly unstable and vulnerable to extreme weather events”
In 50 years, wheat, corn and barley yields (photo) are 10, 4 and 13 percent lower than they would be under normal circumstances. Photo Dag Endresen Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedPhoto Dag Endresen Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Climate change has reduced grain yields by up to 13 percent in 50 years

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Warmer and dryer weather favors water stress thus impacting the productivity of wheat, corn and barley crops, a study from the Standford University has found. New investments and more accurate predictive models are needed for the future
The Soil Data Cube integrates observations conducted on European soil in the 21st century Photo: Wolfgang Weiser Pexels free to useWolfgang Weiser Pexels free to use

Artificial intelligence predicts climate impact on European soil

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Soil Data Cube is presented as the most advanced European soil monitoring model ever. From 2026 it will help scientists and farmers check the health of soils affected by climate change
Using transcriptomics, researchers have found that the responses of roots to soil stress are both genetic and physical. Photo: IRRI Photos Attribution - Noncommercial - Share alike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedIRRI Photos Attribution - Noncommercial - Share alike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

How plant roots respond to soil stresses

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A research reveals how roots actively perceive the microenvironment and activate specific molecular responses. From the study, new prospects for more climate-resilient crops
Around the Chernobyl “Exclusion zone” (photo) extends the so-called “Compulsory relocation zone,” which has never been fully abandoned. Thousands of people live in the area but no official investment or land use is allowed. Photo: Jorge Franganillo Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedJorge Franganillo Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Low-contamination soils near Chernobyl could now be cultivated, study claims

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Research involving British and Ukrainian researchers hypothesizes the recovery of large areas of the Chernobyl area where cultivation has been officially banned for nearly 40 years
From 1981 to 2021, thirst waves in the U.S. became 17 percent more intense and 23 percent more frequent. Photo: USDA photo by Bob Nichols. Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed.USDA photo by Bob Nichols. Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed.

US agriculture pays the price of atmosphere “thirst”

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An American study introduces the concept of “thirst waves.” In the US they have been on the rise for at least four decades. The phenomenon occurs when evaporative demand is high and plants therefore need more water
Forest integrity is increasingly threatened by natural events exacerbated by climate change in addition to anthropogenic pressures. Photo: Bobulix Flickr Attribution - Noncommercial - No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DeedPhoto: Bobulix Flickr Attribution - Noncommercial - No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed

Crisis of forests may double climate mitigation costs

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This is the hypothesis of researchers at the Potsdam Institute. Current models overestimate the mitigation potential of forests. In this scenario, a delay in response could make the climate goals unattainable
Three years after the Russian invasion, in addition to the inestimable human costs, the war in Ukraine continues to produce significant environmental damage. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Taras Gren Attribution - Share alike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedMinistry of Defense of Ukraine, Taras Gren Attribution - Share alike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

How war is contributing to environmental degradation in Ukraine

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EU Commission's snapshot: conflict in Ukraine has contributed to the devastation of the land by releasing toxic elements that can cause serious health consequences
An experiment in Wales revealed how bioplastic mulches do not negatively impact soil organic matter content and have minimal effects on the bacterial community. Photo: F. Kesselring, FKuR Willich Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Germany CC BY-SA 3.0 DE DeedF. Kesselring, FKuR Willich Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Germany CC BY-SA 3.0 DE Deed

Biodegradable mulch sheets don’t reduce soil organic content

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According to a British study, the use of bioplastic biodegradable mulch sheets in agricultural soils increases yields and has no side effects in terms of carbon balance

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