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The study of the impact of urbanization on bees and other pollinators was carried out in the Berlin metropolitan area. PHOTO: Fabian Schneidereit on UnsplashFabian Schneidereit su Unsplash

The degree of urbanisation reduces wild bees and butterfly diversity

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German research confirms that the degree of overbuilding and the quality of the local habitat influence the activity of bees and other insects. Interactions with plants decrease. Yet urban meadows and pastures, with the right actions, can be precious contexts for pollinators. Starting from a suitable height of the vegetation...
For years the number of insects has been steadily, worryingly decreasing. PHOTO: Pixabay

Insects in decline? “it’s a fault of soil consumption and pollution”

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A Swiss-German study investigated the main factors behind the constant decline of insects and their biodiversity. Invasive species and intensive agriculture are also of concern. 40% of all species will be at risk of extinction in the coming decades.
Data from the Joint Research Centre snapshot the health of the continental soil showing numbers in line with past predictions. Photo: François Molle/IRD Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)François Molle/IRD Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

61% of European soil is unhealthy, JRC confirms

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Joint Research Centre data snapshot the health of continental soils, showing numbers in line with past predictions. Organic carbon reduction, biodiversity loss and peatland deterioration are the most widespread problems
Urban biodiversity at risk. By mid-century, 70 percent of the world's population will live in cities. Photo: Loozrboy Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) Loozrboy Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Loss of urban biodiversity is a threat to human health

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Loss of microbial biodiversity in degraded soils, which is particularly prevalent in cities, promotes the spread of bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance, says an international study. Restoring green spaces, by contrast, creates a biological barrier to their spread
Tra le azioni ipotizzate dalla Commissione Ue nella proposta normativa sottoposta alla consultazione dei propri cittadini, c'è l'ipotesi di prevedere monitoraggi periodici sullo stato di salute dei suoli, per ridurre la desertificazione e l'erosione. FOTO: Matteo Berlenga.

What actions for soil health? The EU gives the floor to the citizens

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La Commissione europea sta lavorando a una proposta normativa che introduca misure di contrasto al degrado del suolo. Per ascoltare il punto di vista di esperti e cittadini ha lanciato una consultazione pubblica. Obiettivo: individuare le azioni considerate più efficaci e condivise. Termine ultimo per partecipare: 24 ottobre 2022
During the period under investigation, soil sealing covered almost 1,500 km2. 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

Europe has lost 3,600 km2 of soil due to land take in seven years

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Between 2012 and 2018, soil loss mainly affected suburbs and semi-rural areas that play a key role in ecological balance with severe consequences for the climate, the European Environment Agency says
Nel 2023 la Commissione UE finalizzerà la Nature Restoration Law con l’obiettivo di tutelare legalmente il suolo e azzerare il consumo netto entro il 2050. Foto: Gerd Altmann Creative Commons CC0 Public domain

EU ready to work on soil law: “Net consumption must go to zero by 2050”

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The Commission has announced a European law for soil protection by 2023. Debora Fino (Re Soil): "An historic choice, now Member States can take a major step forward". Concerns over France and Germany's position
Madrid is getting greener. The five Urban Forest projects have been approved. The concept? restoring the land and its ecosystems in a 75 km ring around the Spanish capital. Photo: Pixabay License- Free for commercial use, attribution not requiredPixabay License- Free for commercial use, attribution not required

Madrid launches its Urban Forest: a 75 km green ring

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Urban forest getting started: the Spanish capital announces the winning projects The goal? To protect soil, climate and ecosystems
Soil SOS: here are the enemies that are robbing it of its health

Soil SOS: here are the enemies that are robbing it of its health

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This is a battle that is being fought under the radar, but our health, the health of ecosystems, agricultural systems and the economy depend on it. We have identified 5 issues that need to be addressed, at all levels, to restore soil health