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The National Scientific Committee estimates that 1.4 percent of France's soil-more than 750 thousand hectares-is prone to desertification. Photo: iJuliAn Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedThe National Scientific Committee estimates that 1.4 percent of France's soil-more than 750 thousand hectares-is prone to desertification. Photo: iJuliAn Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

France is the latest victim of global desertification

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Late last year, France was added for the first time to the UN list of countries declared affected by land degradation and desertification. A phenomenon that impacts more than 3 billion people worldwide
Tree crops such as olives, coffee, fruit trees, and cocoa currently cover more than 183 million hectares worldwide and contribute to the protection of global biodiversity. Photo: Maxence Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedMaxence Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Perennial woody crops help preserve biodiversity

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Some plants, such as coffee, cocoa and fruit trees support wide biodiversity. But science and agricultural policies, researchers write, tend to underestimate their potential
Rapid degradation of organic soils is increasingly affecting the Montérégie, one of the main agricultural regions in Canada. Photo: Axel Drainville Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC 2.0 DeedAxel Drainville Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed

In Canada, scientists are studying natural solutions against soil degradation

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Researchers at Laval University in Quebec are exploring new methods against soil deterioration in Montérégie, a key agricultural region in Canada. Under investigation are straw, shavings and polyphenols
More than 60 actions have currently been completed for the European Union's Soil Strategy 2030. Twenty-four are still in progress. Photo: Karsten Würth CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedKarsten Würth CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

New tracker details how EU Soil Strategy is progressing

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A new tool from the European Soil Data Center provides a comprehensive overview of progress made since 2021 to date on actions shaping the EU Soil Strategy
In California's Central Valley, nitrogen contamination poses a significant risk. Photo: DJ Fogbound Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedDJ Fogbound Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Climate change and extreme events promote nitrogen contamination

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In California, the interaction between drought and subsequent rainfall promotes the dispersion of nitrogen that can reach surface waters, explains a U.S. study
Worldwide, land degradation is growing by 1 million square kilometers per year, explains the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Drylands include three-quarters of Africa. Photo. Aaron Minnick | World Resources Institute Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedAaron Minnick | World Resources Institute Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

“Land degradation is expanding by 1m km2 a year”

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Postdam researchers' snapshot: "transformative actions are needed to stop land degradation". Without reversing course “the Earth's ability to sustain human and environmental well-being is compromised”
The study focused on the Yellow River delta where plant roots positively influence water movement Photo: NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Public domainNASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Public domain

Plant roots are the key to wetland restoration

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In coastal areas, macropores favored by root growth increase tidal-driven water exchange by improving soil respiration
Some islands in the Maldives, in particular, have reportedly lost more than half of their mangrove cover since 2020. photo: ahuren Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deedahuren Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

The Indian Ocean swallows mangroves. From the Maldives a warning for the Planet

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According to British research, rising sea levels are accelerating the death of mangroves. A phenomenon that affects many coastal areas of the planet
Among weather events, in the Netherlands, drought reduced yield by 24% compared to the average, rain during sowing lowered it by 18%. Photo: Paul van de Velde Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedPaul van de Velde Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Two Dutch studies reveal the impact of weather on crop yields

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The reduction in crop yields following extreme weather events such as drought and heavy rain has been accurately quantified for the first time. Depending on the type of crop and the phenomenon, the decrease ranges between 13 and 36%.
In acidic soils such as red clay soils, the use of rock dust for CO2 capture produces disappointing results. Photo: David Lindbo of the Department of Soil Science at NC State University Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedDavid Lindbo of the Department of Soil Science at NC State University Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Rock dust helps capture CO2 but not in acidic soils

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The dispersion of rock dust in the soil is generally an effective way of storing carbon. But in acidic soils, according to an Australian study, this mechanism does not work

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