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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.
The application of statistical models in combination with spectroscopy makes it possible to assess the concentration of different elements in the soil. Photo: Marco Verch Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Marco Verch Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Spectroscopy offers new opportunities for soil analysis

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A research from the University of Katowice opens new perspectives in the field of soil analysis. Through spectroscopy, researchers were able to determine the presence and concentration of key elements in soil
Climate change causes soil to lose moisture faster on average. Photo: Suhayb the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Suhayb the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil moisture is a key factor in predicting droughts and floods

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According to a study from U.S., variation in soil moisture is the crucial factor in understanding extreme phenomena such as droughts and floods and Overcoming uncertainty related to climate change
Mosses cover 9.4 million km2 of land on the Planet, an area comparable to the territory of Canada or China. Photo: Krishna satya CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Krishna satya CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Mosses are an amazing ally for soil health

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The University of New South Wales study: mosses promote nutrient accumulation in the soil and carbon sequestration. In degraded areas, moreover, these plants accelerate the regeneration process
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
NRM analyzes of thousands of soil samples taken from UK farmland have shown deficiencies in magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. PHOTO: Steven Weeks on Unsplash

UK, two thirds of soils show nutrient deficit

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An analysis by the independent laboratory NRM: as a result of the degradation, wheat crops show 10% less nitrogen and 25% less phosphorus. Thousands of soil samples extracted from UK farmland
In Canadian forests, increased tree species diversity produces growth in soil carbon and nitrogen. Photo: Lawrence Hislop www.grida.no/resources/3116 Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Lawrence Hislop www.grida.no/resources/3116 Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Variety of trees promotes carbon and nitrogen sequestration

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An increase in the number of tree species stimulates greater carbon and nitrogen sequestration, Canadian research explains. But biodiversity is in decline. Promoting it means mitigating climate change and reducing land degradation
The Gansu Province. Stretching from Central Asia to the northeast of the country, the desertification-prone region in China covers an area of more than 1.2 million km2. Photo: Robert Thomson Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)Robert Thomson Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)

“China must change direction in its anti-desertification strategy”

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The actions promoted in China in the 21st century have reportedly produced limited benefits, a recent study finds. Among other things, Beijing's "Grain for Green" plan has decreased the incomes of farmers and herders. Other natural factors have mainly weighed on land regeneration
Flash droughts may be a prelude to a long-term water crisis. Photo: ©EU/ECHO/Anouk Delafortrie Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)©EU/ECHO/Anouk Delafortrie Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Flash droughts are becoming the new normal

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In six decades, flash droughts have increased in 74 percent of the Planet's regions, says a Chinese study. Climate change remains the main critical factor

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