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Characterized by semi-arid biomes, the Caatinga Forest in eastern Brazil is one of the richest areas in the world in terms of biodiversity. Photo: NiaziGamer CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalNiaziGamer CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Climate change puts 40 percent of biodiversity in eastern Brazil at risk

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In the Catinga forest rising temperatures threaten to destroy nearly half the biodiversity by 2060, a Brazilian study says. Ecosystem services are under threat
Under drought conditions, microbes produce more atmospheric compounds than they consume. Photo: Flore de Preneuf / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Flore de Preneuf / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Here’s how drought stress alters soil function in the rainforest

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Drought progressively reduces the ability of soil to consume biogenic volatile organic compounds according to a German study. The emission intensifies after soil rewetting
With this latest initiative, the UN aims to bring out good practices for tackling desertification, land degradation and drought. Photo: Global Water Partnership Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Global Water Partnership Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

UN is looking for its young Land Heroes

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There is time until Oct. 15 to apply for UNCCD Land Heroes, the UN campaign that aims to bring out success stories in combating drought, desertification and land degradation
According to the president of the UN Conference on Desertification, Alain-Richard Donwahi, the world may face a particularly severe food crisis sooner than expected. Photo: Racaille1950 Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Photo: Racaille1950 Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

UN official: “A great climate-related food crisis is coming sooner than expected”

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This was stated by the president of the UN Conference on Desertification, Alain-Richard Donwahi. Climate change and poor agricultural practices impacting soil health are crucial factors
Mediterranean forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Photo: Elina Tzivara Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Elina Tzivara Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Mediterranean forests face desertification risk

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In the past, forests around the Mediterranean Sea partly turned into steppes within a few decades as precipitation rates changed. Today, a German research explains, this scenario could happen again
Drip irrigation is a practice of great importance for smart agricultural management. Photo: H. Gomez/CIMMYT Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)H. Gomez/CIMMYT Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Algorithms drive irrigation in smart agriculture

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In an attempt to make irrigation more efficient, Stanford University has developed a new and more accurate system for calculating evapotranspiration. Measurement is shortened by 100 times
Climate change causes soil to lose moisture faster on average. Photo: Suhayb the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Suhayb the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil moisture is a key factor in predicting droughts and floods

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According to a study from U.S., variation in soil moisture is the crucial factor in understanding extreme phenomena such as droughts and floods and Overcoming uncertainty related to climate change
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
Flash droughts may be a prelude to a long-term water crisis. Photo: ©EU/ECHO/Anouk Delafortrie Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)©EU/ECHO/Anouk Delafortrie Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Flash droughts are becoming the new normal

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In six decades, flash droughts have increased in 74 percent of the Planet's regions, says a Chinese study. Climate change remains the main critical factor
Data from the Joint Research Centre snapshot the health of the continental soil showing numbers in line with past predictions. Photo: François Molle/IRD Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)François Molle/IRD Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

61% of European soil is unhealthy, JRC confirms

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Joint Research Centre data snapshot the health of continental soils, showing numbers in line with past predictions. Organic carbon reduction, biodiversity loss and peatland deterioration are the most widespread problems