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Le colture di copertura permettono di limitare la perdita di carbonio negli oliveti mediterranei che presentano alti tassi di erosione. Foto: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

In olive groves, cover crops reduce carbon loss by 76%

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University of Córdoba study: use of these crops reduces soil carbon loss in Mediterranean olive groves by more than 75 percent
Rain causes a reset of the soil ecosystem, triggering the activity of bacteria and viruses. Photo: 2140261AishwaryaShinde CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International2140261AishwaryaShinde CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

New insights into the relationship between viruses and soil bacteria

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According to UC Davis researchers, soil viruses appear to act "like lawnmowers, culling older cells and giving space for new growth"
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
Aberdare forest in Kenya. 67% of heterotrophic respiration of microbes is located in tropical soils. Photo: Wanjikucha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Wanjikucha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil microbes will release 40 percent more CO2 by 2100

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Climate change is increasing the respiration of soil microbes and related CO2 emissions. A phenomenon, says a Swiss study, set to accelerate between now and the end of the century
The Tibetan Plateau represents the largest area of Alpine permafrost and a large store of organic carbon. Photo: Rita Willaert Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Rita Willaert Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

In Tibetan permafrost 54% of the carbon comes from microbes

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A Chinese study quantifies for the first time the weight of major soil organic carbon components released due to rising temperatures
Biocrusts can regulate both the physical and biological environment of ecosystems. Photo: DainisGeo Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)DainisGeo Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Chinese study unravels the mysteries of biocrusts

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Researchers have shown how surface biocrusts protect subsoil microorganisms by increasing their diversity and stability which benefit the soil
"Terra preta" ('black soil' in English) is found although in small amounts in the Amazon and is part of the macro category of so-called black soils, known for their fertility. Photo: Holger Casselmann Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Holger Casselmann Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The secret to Amazon regeneration lies in black soil

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According to Brazilian research, the valuable black soil found in parts of the Amazon retains unique characteristics that promote the rapid recovery of deforested land
Carbon captured from the soil of forests, grasslands and pastures is equivalent to about 25% of global emissions Photo: Antonio Jordán (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)Antonio Jordán (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

Subsoil carbon is particularly vulnerable to climate change

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International study shows how, at one meter depth, soil gives up more than one-third of its pyrogenic carbon after experiencing a 4°C temperature rise in less than five years
Biochar is especially useful in limiting the effects of soil salinization. A phenomenon which is prevalent in Bangladesh where about one-third of agricultural land is in coastal areas. Photo: CBFM-Fem Com Bangladesh Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Photo: CBFM-Fem Com Bangladesh Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Biochar provides relief for saline soils in Bangladesh

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Biochar promotes tomato crop yields in salt-affected soils, a research conducted in Bangladesh has found. Effects on carbon sequestration are also positive