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The Gansu Province. Stretching from Central Asia to the northeast of the country, the desertification-prone region in China covers an area of more than 1.2 million km2. Photo: Robert Thomson Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)Robert Thomson Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)

“China must change direction in its anti-desertification strategy”

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The actions promoted in China in the 21st century have reportedly produced limited benefits, a recent study finds. Among other things, Beijing's "Grain for Green" plan has decreased the incomes of farmers and herders. Other natural factors have mainly weighed on land regeneration
Palm oil production is one of the main drivers of forest destruction in Borneo. Photo: T. R. Shankar Raman Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)T. R. Shankar Raman Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Forest restoration offsets just a quarter of carbon emissions

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Degraded forests and restoration areas in the tropics remove 107 million tons of carbon each year. That is 26 percent of the total released into the atmosphere from previous deforestation
Soils grazed by wild herbivores have greater carbon sequestration capacity than those pastured by livestock animals. Photo: Pixabay Content license Attribution not requiredPixabay Content license Attribution not required

Antibiotics and livestock farming reduce carbon sequestration in grasslands

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Livestock herbivores impact soil microbial fauna by reducing carbon uptake capacity, an Indian research says. Antibiotics' effect on soil is crucial
Without living roots, the abundance of soil organisms decreased by 42 percent in rainforest and 30 percent in plantations. Photo: Anton Potapov, University of Göttingen, press releaseAnton Potapov, University of Göttingen, press release

Plant roots are crucial for soil animals

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In tropical soils plant roots affect biodiversity no less than leaf litter, a German research explains. A significant finding for the development of sustainable solutions capable of balancing agriculture and land conservation
In poor countries, phosphorus loss could impact yields of 70 percent of rice fields. Photo: Arian Zwegers Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Arian Zwegers Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

CO2 emissions reduce soil phosphorus and put rice crops at risk

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According to an international study, soil phosphorus is reduced due to prolonged exposure to high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. The resulting decline in paddy field yields is a threat to food security
In Central Asia, agriculture and livestock are the sectors that contribute the most to GDP. Photo: Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Central Asia will keep on suffering from agricultural drought for a long time

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Chinese researchers believe that soil drought linked to climate change can no longer be offset by weather cycles. A challenge for the region's crops and economy
At current rates of extraction, phosphorus production is expected to reach its peak around 2050. Photo: Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Global agriculture must reduce its dependence on phosphorus

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Half of the available phosphorus in the soil comes from mineral fertilizers. Europe, Asia and North America show the highest concentrations. French researchers, "We need to accelerate the agroecological transition in rich countries by allocating the remaining resources to the global South"
In Bangladesh, most soils contain less than 1.5 percent organic matter. This is below the minimum required threshold of 2.5 percent. Photo: CBFM-Fem Com Bangladesh, 2006 Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)CBFM-Fem Com Bangladesh, 2006 Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Land degradation and food crisis hit Bangladesh

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Poor farming practices and dependence on fertilizer have damaged soils in Bangladesh. Nutrient deficiency remains a problem. Use of organic alternatives for soil grows
Antibiotic use on livestock farms is a source of contamination and soil hazard. Photo: U.S Department of Agriculture Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) U.S Department of Agriculture Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Chinese scientists provide first global map of antibiotic resistance in soil

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Researchers from Shanghai University described the global distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes in the soil. The phenomenon is especially evident in Europe, America and Asia. And is a threat to animal and human health
Asia contains many of the most fertile soils on the planet. PHOTO: Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

Asia has its first ‘soil atlas’

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It was created by the FAO Global Soil Partnership together with the Joint Research Center of the EU Commission. The tool will help to better understand the characteristics of the different soils of the continent. Among them, some of the most fertile on the planet. The food future of humanity depends on their sustainable management

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