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For many cities, green spaces are seen as vital infrastructure that supports healthier and more livable communities. Photo: Daderot CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedDaderot CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

From Genoa to New York: why depaving is reshaping the future of the cities

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L'annuncio del capoluogo ligure porta al centro del dibattito una pratica già sperimentata in molte metropoli del mondo: rimuovere asfalto e cemento per rendere le città più resilienti al cambiamento climatico
The snow cover plays a vital role in winter crops, protecting them from frost and providing a valuable water supply. Photo: PickPik Royalty-Free photoPhoto: PickPik Royalty-Free photo

Snow drought is a growing risk for global agriculture

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Una ricerca del Politecnico di Hong Kong mostra come la carenza di neve colpisca quasi la metà dei terreni coltivati dell’emisfero nord, amplificando i rischi per la sicurezza alimentare mondiale
Svalbard Islands, Norway. Arctic permafrost soils contain enormous amounts of organic carbon accumulated over thousands of years. Photo: Billy Lindblom Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedBilly Lindblom Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Beneath the Arctic permafrost lies a more complex ecosystem than expected

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Secondo uno studio internazionale l’impatto diretto dello scioglimento del permafrost sul clima sarebbe regolato da intricati equilibri biologici. Con dinamiche microbiche più complesse del previsto
For the heavily leached soils of the Amazon, the external input of nutrients carried by atmospheric currents has always been crucial. Photo: Ivan Mlinaric Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedIvan Mlinaric Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Rainfall controls how African winds fertilize the Amazon

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Uno studio internazionale svela come i sistemi atmosferici regolino la disponibilità di nutrienti trasportati dalle correnti d’aria sopra l’Atlantico che dall’Africa arrivano in Amazzonia
The LandISPortal platform currently contains over 250,000 field observations and more than 30,000 detailed descriptions of soil profiles, as well as hundreds of specialist publications and thematic maps. Photo: Siegfried Makedanz Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC 2.0 DeedSiegfried Makedanz Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed

Half a century’s data on British soil now available to the public

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La Cranfield University apre il LandISPortal, un database online costruito con oltre 30 mila campioni di suolo e 250 mila osservazioni sul campo raccolte nell’arco di mezzo secolo
Bumblebees are pollinators that play a vital role in agriculture and natural ecosystems. Photo: pixnio Public Domain – Free Creative Commons Zero (CC0) Photospixnio Public Domain – Free Creative Commons Zero (CC0) Photos

Climate and pollinators: for bumblebees heat isn’t always their enemy

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American study finds that major agricultural pollinators can adapt better than expected to moderate temperature increases. But extreme heat waves may jeopardize entire colonies
Orchids can provide clues about the overall health of global ecosystems and pollination in particular. Photo: Ian Capper Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 LicenseIan Capper Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 License

Pollination in Australia more than halved in 50 years according to orchids

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Thanks to their limited “flexibility,” orchids are early indicators of the crisis affecting insects. Since the 1970s, an analysis by the University of Canberra reveals, pollination in Australia has declined by 60%
At least one fifth of the 8,500 animal species linked to the soil, including fungi and invertebrates, would today be at risk of extinction. CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use. Image: pxhere No attribution requiredpxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

One in five soil-dependent species is at risk of extinction

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A new study by Conservation International and IUCN reveals that over 20% of soil-related species could disappear. And the current lack of data suggests an even more problematic picture for biodiversity
A temporary soybean crop on a rye field in Dallas County, Texas. In the U.S., the area planted with cover crops has exceeded 7 million hectares in recent years, representing a 17% increase in just five years. Photo: NRCS/SWCS, Lynn Betts Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 LicenseNRCS/SWCS, Lynn Betts Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 License

For better soil health, cover crops come out on top

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A U.S. study has examined 50 years of best practices: cover crops ensure more consistent effects, while tillage, rotations and drainage show less uniform impacts across different contexts
Biodiversity at risk in the United Kingdom. In the worst-case scenario, by 2070 many areas of the country could lose up to 20% of their existing local species. Photo: Ian Sharp Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedIan Sharp Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

2050 is the point of no return in halting the decline in biodiversity in Great Britain

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In the worst-case scenario, a study highlights, at least 200 species are at risk of extinction while 9 out of 10 plant habitats will face lasting changes. And there is ever less time to reverse the course.