Posts

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

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
Transplanted soil adds organic matter and other chemical and physical properties to degraded soil. Photo: NRCS by Aaron Roth. Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)NRCS by Aaron Roth. Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Soil transplanting allows regeneration of degraded lands

Transferring a healthy soil mass to a degraded area can ensure rapid restoration, explain researchers at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology. An important finding in the global scenario. But more studies are needed
In the U.S., the area affected by wildfires each year has more than tripled in the past 40 years. Photo: Eric Coulter Bureau of Land Management California Public Domain Mark 1.0Eric Coulter Bureau of Land Management California Public Domain Mark 1.0

Soil analysis can help prevent wildfires

Wildfires can be predicted through soil moisture assessment. But data collection in the field is not always easy. A group of US researchers is trying to solve the problem
Agricultural soil in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Photo: Diane Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Photo: Diane Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

In Canada, science and traditional practices help protect soil health

A University of Saskatchewan project aims to create soil health workshops with Native communities and farmers. By encouraging input reduction and diversification of crops and landscapes
Peptides produced by bacteria can target plant pathogens without harming the soil's useful microbiome. 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

Dutch researchers bet on bacteria to reduce pesticide use

Researchers at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands will study the potential of bacteria to fight plant pests without damaging the soil ecosystem. Crucial is the action of peptides, biodegradable proteins produced by the microorganisms
In Central Asia, agriculture and livestock are the sectors that contribute the most to GDP. Photo: Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Central Asia will keep on suffering from agricultural drought for a long time

Chinese researchers believe that soil drought linked to climate change can no longer be offset by weather cycles. A challenge for the region's crops and economy
At current rates of extraction, phosphorus production is expected to reach its peak around 2050. Photo: Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Global agriculture must reduce its dependence on phosphorus

Half of the available phosphorus in the soil comes from mineral fertilizers. Europe, Asia and North America show the highest concentrations. French researchers, "We need to accelerate the agroecological transition in rich countries by allocating the remaining resources to the global South"
Fertilizers produced by processing human manure would be a viable and safe resource for crops, according to German research. Photo: Hafidz Alifuddin, Pexels Free to usePhoto: Hafidz Alifuddin, Pexels Free to use

Toilets may provide an alternative to chemical fertilizers

By recycling human manure it is possible to produce natural fertilizers that provide identical yields as chemical equivalents, a German research has found. No risk of drug contamination, the authors explain. But further studies are needed
According to the study, 40 percent of businesses and companies that contribute the most to deforestation have not yet developed a plan to reduce their impact on the phenomenon. Photo: Andrew Taylor/WDM Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Andrew Taylor/WDM Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

4 out of 10 companies have made no commitment against deforestation

According to Global Canopy 201 of the 500 companies and financial firms most exposed to deforestation have taken no action to address the problem. Financial institutions perform worse than non-financial companies
Over the past 25 years, pesticide total toxicity has increased in Germany for fish, terrestrial plants, and soil organisms. Photo: Stefan Thiesen Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Stefan Thiesen Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Pesticide impact on plants and soil grows in Germany

Over the past 25 years, pesticide total toxicity in Germany has increased for fish, land plants and soil organisms, a research from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern-Landau has found. EU wants to cut use of chemicals in half by 2030 but its metrics are not convincing

RECEIVE
OUR NEWSLETTER

It’s beneath our feet but we never think about its value. We tread on it, we mistreat it, but a healthy, fertile soil means life. It’s time to take care of the soil and each one of us can and must make a difference.

To receive updates about Re Soil Foundation activities, sign up to our newsletter.


    • Coldiretti
    • Novamont
    • Politecnico di Torino