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One of the large communal houses inhabited by Yanomami people in the state of Maranhão, one of the hardest-hit territories by land acquisitions. PHOTO: © Dennison Berwick/Survival© Dennison Berwick/Survival

Brazil, a law has deprived Indigenous people of 250,000 hectares in two years

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In the South American country, a disputed 2020 law paved the way for the acquisition of non-demarcated indigenous lands. Despite legal battles more than two-thirds of Brazilan states are still enforcing the legislation
In a century and a half, forests in the U.S. Midwest have lost the biomass accumulated over 8,000 years. Photo: Tony Webster Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Photo: Tony Webster Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

US Midwest forests have lost 8,000 years of stockpiled biomass

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Since the end of the last ice age, forest growth in the west-central United States has contributed to the sequestration of 1.8 billion tons of organic carbon. The accumulated biomass has been destroyed in just 150 years
Efficient sewage management can recover important soil nutrients. Photo: Christine Johnstone Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Christine Johnstone Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

New sewage management brings benefits to soil, EEA says

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A decentralized sewage treatment offers better opportunities for the development of circular solutions even for arable land, a European Environment Agency analysis says
Microbes play a crucial role in maintaining soil balance. Photo: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationRawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Microbes are resurging in decontaminated soils thanks to desorption

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When soil cleaned up through thermal desorption, microbes proliferate again thus helping soil balance, a study has found. Results highlights the overall efficacy of this decontamination technique
Fluorinated pesticides account for nearly 70 percent of all new pesticides introduced worldwide from 2015 to 2020. Photo: jetsandzeppelins Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)jetsandzeppelins Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Flour-based pesticides hit the market as scientists are concerned

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Fluorinated pesticides account for nearly 70 percent of all new pesticides introduced worldwide from 2015 to 2020, a research has found. But the environment struggles to deal with them. And their impact on human health is not negligible
In Canada and in the rest of the world prairies store carbon in soil and play a key role in climate change mitigation. Photo: Bernard Spragg Public Domain Mark 1.0Bernard Spragg Public Domain Mark 1.0

New study will map carbon sequestration in Canadian prairies

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The most extensive research ever conducted on the prairies in Saskatchewan will quantify carbon sequestration in soil. The study will provide insights into the best farming and grazing climate friendly practices
According to FAO, the agribusiness sector must mitigate climate change by adopting several carbon neutrality strategies. Photo: UGA CAES/Extension Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)Photo: UGA CAES/Extension Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Agriculture is crucial to mitigate climate, FAO says: here are five key actions

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The agribusiness sector is both a victim and a cause of climate change, says FAO. The solution comes through the implementation of some key strategies focused on carbon neutrality and supported by governments
Over the past 60 years, the average weight of harvesters has increased 10-fold with a major impact on soil ecosystem functions. Photo: Dan Davison Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Photo: Dan Davison Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Mechanical dinosaurs are the ultimate threat to soil

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The weight of harvesters averages 36 tons approaching burdens of sauropods walking on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. The resulting soil compaction is now putting both ecosystem balance and crop yields at risk
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
Pesticide contamination has been found on 87 percent of pears produced in Belgium, 74 percent of Spanish cherries, and 85 percent of Italian celery. Photo: pxhere Creative Commons CC0 Public domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredpxhere Creative Commons CC0 Public domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

EU policy on pesticides is failing as contamination of fruits and vegetables grows

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Over the past decade, European citizens' exposure to pesticides is increasing sharply with obvious health risks, NGOs from 60 countries have found. Study "contradict official claims that toxic pesticides use is declining and that food residue levels are under control."