Posts

The U.S. Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory hosted the research on soil virus. Photo: Jvimal Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)Jvimal Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Here’s the mysterious virus-made protein supporting soil life

Chitosanase is a protein produced by a virus that "could be acting like a garden hoe for the soil preparing it for vegetables, trees, flowers, and all other kinds of life." A U.S. study gives new insights into land ecosystem processes
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

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
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

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
U.S. soils devoted to grazing and agriculture are in critical condition as a result of long-term processes. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Climate change is threatening U.S. agriculture, Forbes writes

The magazine's examination: U.S. agriculture, as well as livestock, is reckoning with climate and drought. While soil health is of growing concern
By 2070, the Planet's soils are at risk of losing 40 percent of their biological crusts. Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)USFWS Mountain-Prairie Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

The world may lose biological crusts due to climate change

Biological crusts are crucial to the survival of the soil and its ecosystem. But climate change now threatens to wipe them out, a study from Geological Survey has warned
Microbes play a key role in providing soil fertility. Photo: JThomas Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0JThomas Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0

Microbes provide a solution as fertilizers get too expensive

War in Ukraine and commodity boom pushes fertilizer prices to record highs: profiting from microbes' properties is a cost-effective solution as investors jump in, writes the Wall Street Journal.
In Iowa, Midwestern U.S., erosion is generating a decline in agricultural production. Photo: Phil Roeder Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Phil Roeder Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Erosion in U.S. worse-than-expected, new study says

Midwest fields have lost nearly 58 billion tons of soil in a150 years, University of Massachusetts survey says. Tillage effect, still ignored in government estimates, is crucial. Food production at risk
Traditional dance at the Navajo community in New Mexico, USA. Photo: Tolka Rover Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Tolka Rover Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Traditional agriculture is good for soil and human health. A lesson from Navajo community

Traditional knowledge and modern science: how the Navajo community develops regenerative agriculture while promoting health and food security. A tale by the New Humanitarian
Urban forests grow faster and release less CO2 than their inland peers. Photo: Monika M. Wahi Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Monika M. Wahi Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The paradox of urban forests: more polluted but even more useful for climate mitigation

Two Boston University studies show surprising results: forests grow faster in "dirty" areas on city borders. Where they store carbon more efficiently
According to a Chinese-British research, the low presence of some elements in the soil seems to be correlated to a higher mortality rate in Covid-19 cases. 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

Soil health and Covid-19 immune response could be linked, scientists say

A Chinese-British research identifies a statistical correlation between the concentration of zinc, iron, copper and selenium in soil and the outcome of Covid-19 cases: the lower the concentration, the higher the fatality rate. The investigation suggests a link between the two events. But further studies will be needed

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