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Peatlands in the Congo Basin cover more than 167 thousand square kilometers, 15 percent more than previously estimated. Photo: Dicklyon Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Dicklyon Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Congo’s peatlands are a barrier against climate change

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More than a quarter of the carbon stored in the Planet's peatlands is found in the Congo River Basin, says a research released by Nature. But these environments are threatened by land use
According to estimates, Britain's small farms could receive a total public/private benefit of £3.1 billion per year. Photo: Colin Smith Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Colin Smith Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Government incentives and carbon market may revive marginal farms in UK

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Farms located in the most marginal areas of the UK are less productive but they also manage soils with the greatest potential for carbon storage. One trait that can attract public and private funds
Since the start of industrialization, England has lost 80% of its heathlands. Photo: Andrew Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Andrew Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

England reckons with its history as biodiversity declines

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England is one of the world's poorest countries in terms of natural variety, UK Environment Agency says. To counteract the historical fallout from early industrialization, a new land management approach is needed
Microbes play a crucial role in maintaining soil balance. Photo: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationRawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Microbes are resurging in decontaminated soils thanks to desorption

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When soil cleaned up through thermal desorption, microbes proliferate again thus helping soil balance, a study has found. Results highlights the overall efficacy of this decontamination technique
The logging industry allegedly inspired the attempt to weaken anti-deforestation proposed rules in Europe. Photo: Hannes Knapp © European Wilderness Society CC BY-NC-ND 4.0Photo: Hannes Knapp © European Wilderness Society CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Europe takes one more step back on anti-deforestation rules

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The EU chooses a weak definition of "degradation" in areas affected by deforestation. Scientists are worried, The Guardian says. This choice is a result of lobbying campaign by logging industry, Greenpeace remarks
Over the past 60 years, the average weight of harvesters has increased 10-fold with a major impact on soil ecosystem functions. Photo: Dan Davison Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Photo: Dan Davison Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Mechanical dinosaurs are the ultimate threat to soil

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The weight of harvesters averages 36 tons approaching burdens of sauropods walking on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. The resulting soil compaction is now putting both ecosystem balance and crop yields at risk
La siccità è favorita dal cambiamento climatico e contribuisce essa stessa ad alimentare ulteriormente il fenomeno. Foto: Pixabay License Libera per usi commerciali Attribuzione non richiesta

Drought, invertebrates, and carbon: the vicious cycle affecting soil and climate

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Drought limits the action of invertebrates and their ability to store organic carbon in soil, according to research from Switzerland. A finding with obvious implications for climate change
By 2070, the Planet's soils are at risk of losing 40 percent of their biological crusts. Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)USFWS Mountain-Prairie Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

The world may lose biological crusts due to climate change

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Biological crusts are crucial to the survival of the soil and its ecosystem. But climate change now threatens to wipe them out, a study from Geological Survey has warned
A forest stretch in Kenya Photo: Ninara Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Ninara Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

The power of community brings a Kenian forest back to life

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Behind the rebirth of the Mirema forest is a community initiative that is now recognized as a best practice for the country. But also as a new sign of Africa's growing commitment to protecting its natural resources
Peatlands are a distinctive element of the Šumava National Park landscape. Photo: I.Sáček, senior CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Donation to the Public DomainI.Sáček, senior CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Donation to the Public Domain

Here is how peatlands are recreated in Bohemian Forest

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LIFE for MIRES project halfway through its journey: the restoration of peatlands within the area offers new opportunities to tackle climate change, says the staff. Today 720 hectares of wetland soil have already returned to their original condition.