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So far, the Arctic has managed to preserve its plant biodiversity. But things are changing. Photo: Billy Lindblom Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedBilly Lindblom Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Invasive plants threaten Arctic biodiversity

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Biodiversity at risk: Norwegian research provides a picture of the growing presence of invasive plants on Svalbard. "We need to prevent the phenomenon," scientists explain
The rate of permafrost erosion could even triple by the end of the century, thus impacting the climate. Photo: Brandt Meixell, USGS CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedBrandt Meixell, USGS CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

Permafrost erosion reduces carbon sequestration in the oceans

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A German study shows how permafrost erosion on the coast of the Arctic Ocean leads to an almost 15 per cent decrease in the seawater's ability to store CO2
The sounds produced by invertebrates are an indicator of soil biodiversity. Photo: Gabriel González Free for personal and commercial use Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedGabriel González Free for personal and commercial use Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Ecoacoustics: how soil sounds measure biodiversity

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Australian research has highlighted the correlation between the complexity of noise produced by invertebrate communities and the level of soil biodiversity
In the future, says the bacteria-based model, the area of grasslands characterised by alkaline soils will expand. Photo: Shizhao Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedShizhao Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Bacteria help predict soil acidity in grasslands

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A new Chinese model based on bacterial analysis allows to estimate changes in grasslands. By 2100, soil acidity will decrease especially in North-East Asia, Africa and Oceania
In some Asian countries, the frequency of flash drought events has increased from 20% to 80%. Photo: Bioversity International/S.Landersz ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVS 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DeedBioversity International/S.Landersz ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVS 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed

Flash drought is becoming increasingly frequent in Asia

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In some Asian countries, says research, the frequency of sudden drought events has increased from 20 to 80 per cent in just two decades. But the phenomenon is now global
Carbon sequestered from miombo forests in Mozambique could exceed estimates by 2.2 times. Photo: Lichinga ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedLichinga ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Mozambique’s forests store more carbon than expected

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A new study revises estimates for miombo forests upwards. Carbon from these ecosystems in Mozambique could be 2.2 times higher than previously assumed
An estimated 29 million American households are still exposed to dangerous levels of lead. Photo: Joe Mabel ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 3.0 UNPORTED CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedJoe Mabel ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 3.0 UNPORTED CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

American soils are still contaminated with lead

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For one in four households, the level of lead exposure exceeds the safety threshold set by the Environmental Protection Agency, an Indiana University study has found
Globally, scientists explained, wetlands are rich in biodiversity and provide various services including water supply for agricultural use and carbon storage. Photo: Kelly Fike/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region PUBLIC DOMAIN MARK 1.0 UNIVERSAL PDM 1.0 DeedPhoto: Kelly Fike/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region PUBLIC DOMAIN MARK 1.0 UNIVERSAL PDM 1.0 Deed

Here is how the climate will affect the wetlands in North America

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Wetlands, a study from the US explains, will experience substantial drying during the summer. Impacting habitat and biodiversity from Florida to Mississippi to southeastern Canada
Practices to reduce the release of nitrogen oxides do not slow down the process of restoring the ozone layer in the stratosphere that has been running for years. Photo: NASA ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC 2.0 DeedNASA ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed

Nitrogen emission cuts do not impact the ozone layer

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According to a study by the University of Sheffield, nitrogen oxide release reduction practices do not slow down the process of restoring the ozone layer in the stratosphere
Biosolids are a by-product of the wastewater treatment process and can be used as fertilisers as they are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. Photo: City of Geneva ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC 2.0 DeedCity of Geneva ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed

US bio-fertilisers are useful but watch out for contamination

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Used as fertilisers, biosolids produced by wastewater treatment can be very beneficial for the soil. This is also why, according to a study, it is important to analyse their content to prevent contamination phenomena