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When introduced into urban settings, forest soil microbes can help promote people’s well-being by rebalancing the domestic microbiome. Image: Santeri Viinamäki Attribution 4.0 International CC BY 4.0 DeedSanteri Viinamäki Attribution 4.0 International CC BY 4.0 Deed

The forest at home: in Finland, soil microbes improve human health

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A Finnish study shows how introducing forest soil into domestic environments increases the microbial diversity of indoor air, with potential protective effects on the immune system of infants growing up in enclosed spaces
Biodiversity at risk in the United Kingdom. In the worst-case scenario, by 2070 many areas of the country could lose up to 20% of their existing local species. Photo: Ian Sharp Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedIan Sharp Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

2050 is the point of no return in halting the decline in biodiversity in Great Britain

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In the worst-case scenario, a study highlights, at least 200 species are at risk of extinction while 9 out of 10 plant habitats will face lasting changes. And there is ever less time to reverse the course.
The study, conducted in the forests of Yunnan Province, demonstrated how altitude-driven environmental changes shape the genetic potential for phosphorus mineralization in the soil. At the same time, soil pH acts as a constant filter, limiting the microbial community capable of performing this vital function across different landscapes. Photo: Rod Waddington Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedRod Waddington Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

Elevation, pH, and calcium are key factors in the phosphorus cycle

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A Chinese study has identified the key factors influencing the distribution of available phosphorus in tropical and subtropical forests, by modelling the genetic potential for phosphorus mineralization in soil
Brazil's wetlands cover an area of 167,000 km² and have a carbon density per hectare six times higher than forests. Photo: Thpelin Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedThpelin Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Beyond the Amazon: a forgotten carbon reserve in Brazil’s wetlands

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In the Brazilian savanna, wetlands store enormous amounts of carbon, but they are threatened by climate change and agricultural expansion. Moreover, conservation policies, which focus almost exclusively on forests, tend to ignore them
Il riscaldamento globale non cambia solo il paesaggio visibile ma altera profondamente le relazioni invisibili tra piante e funghi nel suolo. Foto: Pexels Free to use

Climate change is disrupting the symbiotic relationship between plants and soil fungi

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A thirty-year experiment in the US shows how rising temperatures are transforming ecosystems internally: the abundance of fungi that are useful to plants is declining, while decomposers are increasing. As a result, soil ecological stability is being disrupted
Insect frass is a natural soil amendment that improves soil fertility and is attracting increasing interest in agriculture. Photo: Angal insect Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedAngal insect Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Insect frass improves soil health and protect crops

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An American study shows how insect frass can increase nutrient efficiency and reduce pest damage in crops, contributing to a more sustainable, circular agriculture
The ECHO project initiative, which is also coordinated by Re Soil Foundation, invites schools and citizens to raise awareness about the importance of soil through creative, scientific, and educational projectsECHO

The ECHO Soil Challenge aims to raise awareness about the value of soil

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Launched by the ECHO project and coordinated by the Re Soil Foundation, this initiative invites schools and citizens to promote the importance of soil as a resource through creative, scientific, and educational projects. Applications are open until November 9 this year
Actions that have a significant impact on the soil, such as deforestation, intensive agriculture, urbanization, and habitat fragmentation, stimulate the spread of zoonotic diseases, transmitted in particular by rodents, bats, and mosquitoes. Photo: Pexels free to use CC0Photo: Pexels free to use CC0

Land use change poses a risk to human health

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Actions that impact the soil, such as deforestation, intensive agriculture, urbanization, and habitat fragmentation, stimulate the spread of diseases transmitted by rodents, bats, and mosquitoes, according to a study by Stirling University
Announced in February this year, the SOUL bioproducts project brings together 16 partners from five EU countries, including Spain's Fundación AITIIP (coordinator of the initiative) and Italy's Novamont, Re Soil Foundation, and Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna. In the photo: SOUL experts at the kick-off meeting. Image: SOULSOUL

SOUL project gets started, five EU countries will test new bio-based products

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The initiative brings together 16 partners for the development and field testing of new-generation products designed to biodegrade in the soil at the end of their life cycle, thus minimizing their environmental impact
Climate change is making Arctic soil more permeable, altering the amount of water that can be stored and transmitted. In coastal areas, rising sea levels will further increase groundwater levels, leading to saltwater intrusion. Photo: Vincent Sasseville/Nunataryuk Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed https://www.flickr.com/photos/gridarendal/49555909433Vincent Sasseville/Nunataryuk Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed https://www.flickr.com/photos/gridarendal/49555909433

It isn’t just a matter of melting ice: here’s how climate change is reshaping Arctic aquifers

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Beneath the surface of the Arctic permafrost, an entire hydrological system is reorganizing. A Canadian study reveals where the soil will become drier and where moisture will increase