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By distinguishing between stable and unstable forms of carbon accumulation, the microbial pump-based assessment system allows for a more reliable evaluation of sustainable soil management practices. Photo: Rain Photography Pexels free to useRain Photography Pexels free to use

Chinese researchers propose a new indicator to assess soil carbon stability

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Research conducted by the Beijing Academy of Sciences has defined a new framework for assessing the Microbial Carbon Pump in soil. It distinguishes between stable and non stable organic matter (that is more easily decomposed and released)
Nei deserti l’impatto delle azioni antropiche ha interessato soprattutto il carbonio organico particolato nel terriccio e quello di origine microbica e vegetale nel sottosuolo. Foto: Circe Denyer CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

Human activity causes carbon loss in deserts

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Some human-induced disturbances cause significant carbon loss in the soil of hyper-arid environments, a Chinese study claims. Among the most impactful activities even some practices considered “sustainable” such as seasonal harvesting and irrigation
Between 2010 and 2020, carbon losses in the Amazon increased due to deforestation and other underestimated phenomena such as fires and fragmentation. Photo: Neil Palmer/CIAT Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DeedNeil Palmer/CIAT Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed

Carbon balance in Amazon rainforest shows 370 million tons deficit in a decade

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Between 2010 and 2020, carbon losses increased due to deforestation and other underestimated phenomena such as fires and fragmentation, according to new study. Emission intensity is higher in protected areas
Wetlands sequestered an average of one billion tons of carbon per year in the first two decades of the 21st century. Photo: Svetlana Makarova Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed Photo: Svetlana Makarova Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

A Chinese study has quantified 20 years of carbon sequestration in wetlands

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Research by the Chinese Academy of Sciences reveals that wetlands sequestered an average of one billion tons of carbon per year in the first two decades of the century. Seventy percent of this capture takes place in tropical areas
Fires are the main cause of prolonged heat stress in degraded tropical forests. Photo: Bruno Kelly/Amazônia Real/11/08/2020 Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedBruno Kelly/Amazônia Real/11/08/2020 Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

In the Amazon region post-fire stress can last in forests for decades

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NASA research shows that forests in the region affected by fires remain warmer than normal for at least 30 years. This has obvious consequences for their carbon storage and climate mitigation capacity
Nearly 30 billion tons of carbon have been stored for millennia in the Congo peatlands. Photo: Ricky Martin/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DeedPhoto: Ricky Martin/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed

Congo peatlands are over 40,000 years old, researchers find

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An international study reveals Congo peatlands are much older than expected. The discover provide new insights to the studies on the global carbon cycle
The Observatory launched by FAO aims to measure, monitor, and protect soil biodiversity on a global scale. Photo: Pixabay, published prior to July 2017 under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication licensePixabay, published prior to July 2017 under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license

FAO Launches the Global Soil Biodiversity Observatory

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The UN agency unveils new project to expand monitoring capacity and provide a scientific foundation for biodiversity protection and sustainable soil use
Scientists have not yet fully understood how roots develop in the soil depth. Image: Konstantinos Kourtidis Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DeedKonstantinos Kourtidis Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Deed

Plant roots could store more carbon than previously expected at greater depths

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An American study reveals the existence of a second layer of roots developed by several plant species—often overlooked—that enables additional carbon sequestration
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
Peat soils in Ireland are more widespread than previously thought as they cover 30% of the land area compared with previously estimated 24%. Photo: SoilScience.info Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedSoilScience.info Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Ireland has mapped its peat soils (through AI and gamma rays)

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By combining AI machine learning with radiometric data, researchers at the University of Galway managed to identify not previously detected peat soils

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