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The influence exerted on the population composition of microorganisms comes from the ability of earthworms to influence soil structure, pH, nutrient availability and organic matter. Photo: benketaro Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)benketaro Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Earthworms are changing Canadian forests

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Invasive species of earthworm affect microbial composition by altering overall soil conditions, Canadian research explains. Influencing nutrient and carbon cycling
Increasing urbanization results in the conversion of natural ecosystems into residential areas that incorporate green areas such as parks or lawns. Photo: Md. Nabial Haramian Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Md. Nabial Haramian Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Urbanization promotes increasing emissions from the soil

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As a result of urbanization, soil nitrous oxide emissions increase 153%, according to a new study. At the same time, the ability to absorb methane is reduced
As many as 71 of the approximately 100 crop species that provide 90 percent of the world's food are pollinated by bees. Photo: Jonathan Wilkins Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Jonathan Wilkins Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Climate change anticipates bee awakening putting crops at risk

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British study: rising spring temperatures make bees wake up too early. Synchronization between insects and plants is lost and crops are affected. 1°C warming corresponds to an average anticipation of 6.5 days
Biocrusts can regulate both the physical and biological environment of ecosystems. Photo: DainisGeo Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)DainisGeo Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Chinese study unravels the mysteries of biocrusts

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Researchers have shown how surface biocrusts protect subsoil microorganisms by increasing their diversity and stability which benefit the soil
Habitat diversity can mitigate the effects of climate change on insects. Photo: Stefan Bernhardt iDiv Use of the pictures permitted for reports related to this https://www.idiv.de/en/news/news_single_view/5140.html media releaseStefan Bernhardt iDiv Use of the pictures permitted for reports related to this https://www.idiv.de/en/news/news_single_view/5140.html media release

Habitat diversity helps insects address climate change

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Insects adapt to global warming with different energy management, a German research has found. Microhabitat diversity, which is crucial, is declining due to land-use changes
The decline in pollinating insects has negative effects on the availability and price of healthy foods such as nuts, legumes, fruit and vegetables, causing an increase in premature deaths. PHOTO: Pixabay

500,000 deaths a year linked to the decline in pollinators

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The "prudential" estimate is contained in a new international study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. Premature deaths are thought to be caused by decreasing availability and rising prices of healthful foods, which are in turn linked to the global decline of bee and pollinators
Mosses cover 9.4 million km2 of land on the Planet, an area comparable to the territory of Canada or China. Photo: Krishna satya CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Krishna satya CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Mosses are an amazing ally for soil health

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The University of New South Wales study: mosses promote nutrient accumulation in the soil and carbon sequestration. In degraded areas, moreover, these plants accelerate the regeneration process
For years, the amount of sargasso algae present in Caribbean and US waters and beaches has been increasing. And it's no longer relegated to the months when the water is warmer.

Florida, behind the invasion of seaweed two actions of man on land

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The coasts of the US state and other Caribbean states are invaded by abnormal quantities of sargasso: it is estimated that the seaweed are almost 9,000 kilometers long and weigh 20,000 tons. However, the abuse of agricultural fertilizers and deforestation are at the basis of the phenomenon. A confirmation of the bond that unites the health of the soils with that of the oceans
Soil organisms account for nearly a quarter of all living species and provide important ecosystem services. Photo: rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedicationrawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Soil damage impacts underground wildlife longer

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According to a British study, in soil subject to human impact the restoration is slower organisms living underground than in surface. New perspectives in research are needed to protect biodiversity
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