Posts

The results of the Chinese study revealed divergent trends: soil moisture decreased between 1980 and 2023, but the trend reversed after 2010. Image: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

Measuring global soil moisture is more difficult than expected

, ,
A Chinese study has proposed a new double validation method to compare humidity data from nearly a thousand stations. Highlighting and solving typical spatial representativeness errors
Plants and microorganisms are essential for mobilizing phosphorus in the soil, but their effectiveness is influenced by many factors. Photo: pickpik royalty freepickpik royalty free

Plant and microorganism biodiversity increases the availability of phosphorus in the soil

,
Uno studio cinese rivela i meccanismi che influenzano la capacità di mobilizzazione del fosforo. La fertilizzazione riduce la presenza di elemento assorbibile, la rigenerazione forestale la fa aumentare
59% of global deforestation is caused by meat production and 33% by soy production, both occuring in the Amazon. Photo: Ben Lamb Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedBen Lamb Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Meat and soybean (plus coffee) are driving deforestation in the Amazon

,
The latest WWF report identifies the main factors behind the ongoing phenomenon in the Amazon. Meat and soy top the list in terms of impact, ahead of cocoa, palm oil, and coffee
Permafrost, the authors note, covers about 17% of the Earth's surface and stores about one-third of the organic carbon in the world's soil. Photo: Boris Radosavljevic Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedBoris Radosavljevic Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Here’s how Arctic soil offsets emissions from alpine permafrost

,
Climate change reduces the absorption of greenhouse gases by alpine permafrost but, at the same time, it stimulates CO2 and methane sequestration in Arctic frozen soil, a Chinese study has found. In the first case, global warming potential increases by 13%. In the second, it decreases by 10%
In China, vegetation restoration has reduced soil erosion from nearly 17.7 tons per hectare to less than 14 between 1990 and 2020. Image: PickPik Royalty-Free photoPickPik Royalty-Free photo

Vegetation restoration has curbed soil erosion in China (at least so far)

,
According to research, soil regeneration in China has significantly reduced land erosion over the last 30 years. More extreme rainfall in the future, however, will raise the risks
A wooded area in Koli National Park in the Finnish region of North Karelia. Here, as in many other regions of Europe, nature-based solutions reduce the risk of fires and make forests more resilient. Photo: Pentti Rautio Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedPentti Rautio Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Nature-based solutions are the key to preventing wildfires in Europe

,
“Nature-based solutions reduce the growing risk of wildfires and make forests more resilient to climate change,” says European Environment Agency. Agroforestry, land moisture restoration and soil regeneration are the three recommended strategies
A study has proposed a framework for assessing European soil quality in a comprehensive manner by identifying quality indicators. Photo: Easy-Peasy.AI Free to useEasy-Peasy.AI Free to use

An integrated approach is needed for EU soil quality monitoring

,
A new study reviews different soil assessment schemes. The “binary” system is the most suitable for macro evaluation. But tools for local investigations are also needed
Climate change is contributing to the loss of species diversity in mountainous areas in Africa. Madagascar is among the most affected areas on the continent. Photo: Heinonlein Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedHeinonlein Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Climate change threatens mountain plant biodiversity in Africa

,
Rising temperatures in Africa are driving plant species to spread at higher altitudes, a German study claims. But the process is too fast, and the risk of losing their habitat is growing as a result
The shrub woolly willow is a species that is becoming increasingly common in the barren mountains of Sweden within the Arctic tundra. Photo: Anne Bjorkman, University of Gothenburg press releaseAnne Bjorkman, University of Gothenburg press release

In the Arctic tundra, boreal plants are becoming increasingly widespread due to climate change

,
A Swedish study shows the dynamics of this phenomenon. The process doesn't necessarily happen where warming is greatest but, instead, where conditions are favorable for plant growth
Favored by climate change, phenomena such as heat waves, droughts, fires, storms, and the spread of plant diseases are increasing tree mortality globally. Photo: PickPik Royalty-Free photo

Global tree mortality is getting higher. But we don’t know by how much

,
Climate change increases tree mortality rates, but figures are incomplete and a global estimate is hard to make. A group of researchers explains how to harmonize data