Posts

The focus of scientists' interest is chitin, a substance that makes up 75 percent of lobster exoskeleton and is also contained in fungal and bacterial pathogens. Photo: Aileen Devlin | Virginia Sea Grant Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)Aileen Devlin | Virginia Sea Grant Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

US potatoes survive pests thanks to lobster shell

,
Ground shells from lobsters can feed communities of beneficial microbes, creating a line of defense against soil pests. Researchers from University of Maine researchers offer a potential circular solution to safeguard the state's major crop. Which would also avoid tons of waste
Soil organisms account for nearly a quarter of all living species and provide important ecosystem services. Photo: rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedicationrawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Soil damage impacts underground wildlife longer

,
According to a British study, in soil subject to human impact the restoration is slower organisms living underground than in surface. New perspectives in research are needed to protect biodiversity
By consuming plant material, herbivores divert potential fuel from wildfires. Photo: World Wildlife CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationWorld Wildlife CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Herbivores are a surprising ally of climate and soil

,
Far from being destructive, herbivores contribute to climate change mitigation, according to a new research. Their ability to prevent wildfires and return carbon and seeds to the soil is crucial
The Patrica plant in Lazio is an example of the potential of the circular bioeconomy: Novamont has transformed a historic Italian chemical hub into a highly renewable biopolyester production centre, obtained from materials of vegetable origin. PHOTO: NovamontNovamont

Circular bioeconomy, biobased industries need specific codes

,
Interview with Giulia Gregori, Strategic Planning and Corporate Communication manager of Novamont: "We will thus be able to enhance the contribution of biobased products to decarbonisation and soil protection"
In Ukraine the agricultural sector is an important source of livelihood for about 13 million people. Photo: Ilya Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)photo: Ilya Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

War affects one in four farmers in Ukraine, says FAO

,
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced 25 percent of the country's rural households to reduce or stop production. War damage to the sector already exceeds $2 billion, says FAO
Pandemic outbreak in 2020 has not slowed deforestation globally. Photo: Astro_Alex ESA/A.Gerst, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGOAstro_Alex ESA/A.Gerst, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

Global lockdowns during Covid-19 outbreak did not curb deforestation

,
Alliance of Biodiversity study: deforestation in 2020 followed expected trends based on historical data. A sign of how closures have not affected the phenomenon
Grazing may have negative effects in warmer arid areas with highly seasonal rainfall and lower biodiversity Photo: John Coppi, CSIRO Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)John Coppi, CSIRO Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Climate and biodiversity impact the effect of grazing on soil

,
Positive impacts of grazing on soil become negative as temperatures rise, an international research says. A more diversified vegetation presence helps offset the issue
BNP Paribas is the bank that has contributed the most to deforestation in the Amazon with i456 million euros invested in a decade in the soybean, beef and palm oil sectors. PHOTO: Can Pac Swire CC BY-NC 2.0.PHOTO: Can Pac Swire CC BY-NC 2.0.

French banks criticized as they financed deforestation with more than €700 mln

,
NGO's accusation: banks BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole and the Banque Populaire et Caisse d'Epargne group allegedly financially supported the beef and soy bean giants responsible for Amazon deforestation
A fungus, called Metarhizium robertsii, is reportedly able to remove mercury around plant roots. Photo: Chengshu Wang and Yuxian Xia Attribution 2.5 Generic (CC BY 2.5)Chengshu Wang and Yuxian Xia Attribution 2.5 Generic (CC BY 2.5)

Mercury pollution is not a problem (as long as we use this fungus)

,
A fungus that can break down mercury-based organic forms into less toxic inorganic substances protects plants by allowing them to survive in contaminated soils, a Sino-American study has found
MRIDA, or soil in Hindi, is an application developed to estimate carbon sequestration potential. Photo: AS Rao, ICRISAT Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)AS Rao, ICRISAT Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)

A new soil app from India can teach you climate-smart agriculture

,
Helping farmers and decision makers in developing climate-smart practices in soil management. That's the goal of MRIDA, the new app created in India to assess the carbon sequestration potential of different agricultural strategies

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