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Plant diversity assessment at a survey site in the prairies of the northwestern United States. Photo: Mary Ellyn DuPre / Press release (May be published without charge in articles about this press release.Mary Ellyn DuPre / Press release (May be published without charge in articles about this press release.

Declining biodiversity reduces carbon sequestration in grasslands

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A Swedish study shows that the soil carbon content of global grasslands increases with plant diversity and that this relationship is particularly strong in warm, arid climates
L'attività umana ha accelerato il tasso di estinzione naturale dei vertebrati di 22 volte. Foto: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required Learn more

In protected areas, the loss of biodiversity among vertebrates is reduced by five times

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Study from the US analyzed trends in vertebrate populations by measuring the effectiveness of land protection policies
Some soil bacteria can be particularly resilient during drought. Photo: PantheraLeo1359531 CC BY 4.0 DEED Attribution 4.0 InternationalPantheraLeo1359531 CC BY 4.0 DEED Attribution 4.0 International

Some soil bacteria will adapt to climate change

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An Austrian study highlighted the behavior of soil bacteria during drought. "Simulating future climate conditions actually resulted in more bacteria remaining active despite drought," the authors explain
Drought alert. Water shortages could increase significantly, particularly in the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. Photo: Roberto AI CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 GenericRoberto AI CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

Europe will be facing drought more often

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The Commission has made available a database and a continental atlas of drought risk. A study of past data reveals negative predictions: the phenomenon will occur more often in the future
By 2022 deforestation in the Amazon had affected 10,573 square kilometers. Photo: James Martins CC BY 3.0 DEED Attribution 3.0 UnportedJames Martins CC BY 3.0 DEED Attribution 3.0 Unported

Sensors and AI fight deforestation in the Amazon

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The University of the Amazon has developed a tool to detect potential threats to the forest in the field. It recognizes noises such as chainsaws and tractors: so it can warn of dangers in real time
Pollen from several bee species show traces of pesticides. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Pesticides persist in bee pollen, study says

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An Irish study shows that pollen from several bee species retains traces of toxic substances from neonicotinoids. And researchers are concerned
The term "permafrost" refers to the type of perennially frozen (but not necessarily ice-covered) soil found in some cold regions. Photo: NPS Climate Change Response CC BY 2.0 DEED https://www.flickr.com/photos/npsclimatechange/27759123542Photo: NPS Climate Change Response CC BY 2.0 DEED

Superficial permafrost could (almost) disappear by 2100

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By the end of the century, near-surface permafrost may exist only in the highlands of eastern Siberia, the High Arctic and northern Greenland. As was the case 3 million years ago
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
In many cities in the United States and Canada, municipal waste incinerators were largely shut down in the 1970s in the face of growing concerns about air pollution. Photo: Fraser, Clayton B. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Public DomainPhoto: Fraser, Clayton B. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Public Domain

Waste incineration leaves a heavy legacy in soils

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Where waste was once burned, higher concentrations of lead are detected in the soil, says research from Duke University. With obvious health consequences
When installing photovoltaic panels in the ground, leveling, excavation and burial operations can cause erosion. Photo: Mark Buckawicki CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Mark Buckawicki CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Solar farms may encourage soil erosion in U.S.

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Virginia Tech researchers will analyze erosion risk in the state's solar installations. In the U.S., the problem is real. But several solutions are available