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Caribbean islands are particularly prone to flash drought. Photo: Connie Ma CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 GenericConnie Ma CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generi

A new method for measuring flash drought in the Caribbean

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Drought is increasingly threatening Caribbean islands. If we want to measure, anticipate and mitigate its effects, a U.S. study notes, we need to rely on a new index
During flood events, cover crops reduce the release of nitrate and phosphorus from the soil. SSGT Paul Griffin Release Status: Released to Public Combined Military Service Digital Photographic FilesPaul Griffin Release Status: Released to Public Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files

Cover crops are a barrier against agriculture-based pollution

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According to a U.S. study, the application of cover crops on a share of cultivated land reduces the maximum concentration of ammonia and phosphorus by more than 30 percent. Whose accumulation is favored by floods
The study analyzed changes in forest cover in the Emerald Network protected areas located in the Luhansk region, which has been under partial Russian control for the past ten years. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalState Emergency Service of Ukraine CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Forests in Ukraine are collateral victims of Russian invasion

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In Ukraine's territories under partial Russian control since 2014, the area of forests has shrunk by 25 percent. This is shown by an American research involving two institutes in Kiev
Biocrusts widely found on the Great Wall of China can slow the erosion process, thus contributing to the preservation of the structure. Photo: Peter Dowley CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericPeter Dowley CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

Biocrusts protect The Great Wall of China from erosion

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Typical of arid or semi-arid expanses, soil bio-crusts are an important and undervalued natural resource. An international study has highlighted their ability to counter erosion
Irrigation absorbs 88 percent of all fresh water consumed on a global scale. Photo: USDA PDM 1.0 DEED Public Domain Mark 1.0 UniversalUSDA PDM 1.0 DEED Public Domain Mark 1.0 Universal

Optimizing crop combinations can alleviate water shortages

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A study highlights how water scarcity can be solved in the U.S. six major river basins. Shifting to less water-intensive crops that still provide adequate incomes for farmers is crucial
Adding biosolids to conventional fertilizers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil quality, according to a Canadian study. Photo: Jeffrey Beall CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Jeffrey Beall CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

New soil fertilizers can be made from pulp waste

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Adding biosolids to conventional fertilizers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil quality, according to a Canadian study. A circular solution that is good for plants and the environment
Invasive weed allegedly developed some adaptability to glyphosate thus reducing its effectiveness. Photo: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research InstituteFWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic

What if invasive weeds were winning the war against glyphosate?

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That's the hypothesis of an American study: in soils treated with glyphosate, plants targeted for eradication are spreading again. A phenomenon that dampens the enthusiasm that has partly surrounded the controversial herbicide since its launch
Plant diversity can stabilize soil temperature year-round. Photo: Pxhere CC0 1.0 DEED CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPxhere CC0 1.0 DEED CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Biodiversity stabilizes soil temperature all year long

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In the parts of the soil characterized by greater plant diversity, there is a buffer effect that prevents excessive warming or cooling during the hottest and coldest times of the year, a German study says
Forests play a key role in climate regulation but it is not easy to determine exactly how much carbon they absorb and how much they release into the atmosphere. Photo: Pedro Biondi/ABr CC BY 3.0 BR DEED Attribution 3.0 BrazilPedro Biondi/ABr CC BY 3.0 BR DEED Attribution 3.0 Brazil

Data on forest emissions are still diverging. But there is a solution

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Data on forest emissions are still diverging. But there is a solution
Bioplastic films can be made from Panicum virgatum, a plant that biodegrade completely within 40 days with 30% soil moisture content. Photo: SEWilco CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 UnportedSEWilco CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

Here’s how U.S. native prairie grass can be turned into bioplastics

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Researchers at South Dakota State University have made biodegradable bioplastic films from switchgrass, a weed capable of reaching significant heights that is widespread in North America's grasslands

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