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Ultrasound allows the impact of drought on the plant to be assessed non-invasively and quickly. Photo: USDA photo by Cynthia Mendoza. Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed Cynthia Mendoza Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Ultrasound device measures the impact of drought on plants

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A new device developed by a team of Lithuanian and Spanish researchers allows detection of the alteration produced by drought on certain key parameters of the plant's physiological state
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%.
Desertification in the north-eastern Caatinga region of Brazil could reduce overall soil functionality by more than 50 per cent. Photo: A. Duarte Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedA. Duarte Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

Desertification halves soil functionality in Brazil

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The calculation is contained in research conducted by two universities in the country, which analysed degraded areas in the north-east of Brazil. A confirmation of the impact of desertification on the soil's ability to sequester carbon
Water and ecosystems are still severely impacted by chemicals from the energy sector and agriculture. Photo: Pexels free for personal and commercial purposesPhoto: Pexels free for personal and commercial purposes

Only one-third of water bodies in Europe is in good condition

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According to the latest report of the EU Environment Agency, the use of pesticides in agriculture continues to impact water quality in Europe. That's why we need to improve the management of aquatic ecosystems to increase resilience
Degraded soil promotes ‘hidden hunger’ that occurs when food quality does not meet nutritional requirements Photo: USDA NRCS South Dakota Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedUSDA NRCS South Dakota Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

‘Stop land degradation or we will face health risks,’ say activists ahead of COP29

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Land degradation poses a global threat to human health, activists recall as the UN Climate Convention in Baku approaches. In the US, 95 per cent of land at risk
Invertebrates are crucial for maintaining soil health and providing key ecosystem services. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredImage: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

For soil invertebrates, pollution is a worse threat than climate

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A meta-analysis of more than 600 studies shows that pollution is the most critical factor for the conservation of soil invertebrate biodiversity
Soil bacteria and microbes work together to thrive in different soil pH levels. Photo: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedPacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Soil bacteria survive by cooperating with each other

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With gene sequencing, researchers at Ohio State University have shown how bacteria cooperate to thrive in environments characterised by different pH levels
In California the rate of erosion after post-fire floods increased between 3.5 and 4.6 times. Photo: Tomwsulcer CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedTomwsulcer CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

In California, fires and subsequent floods accelerate erosion

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According to a study by the US Geological Survey, erosion on California coasts is closely linked to extreme weather events enhanced by progressive climate change
Despite being responsible for less than 4% of global carbon emissions, Africa is highly exposed to climate change. Photo: Viktor Pinčuk Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedViktor Pinčuk Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

The price of climate change is getting higher for Africa

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Climate change impacts Africa's agriculture and food security. High costs and insufficient investment remain the biggest problems, latest report by the UN Development Programme has found
14% of all active ingredients in US pesticides are classified as PFAS, a compound type that poses a danger to the environment and human health. Photo: CGP Grey Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedCGP Grey Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Pesticides in the US are still full of PFAS

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The data of the first study on the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in US pesticides. According to two US organisations, 14% of all active ingredients in US pesticides are PFAS