by Matteo Cavallito<\/p>\n
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Soil<\/strong> extraction in urban and peri-urban contexts impacts the provision of ecosystem services<\/a> by also reducing soil fertility and flood mitigation. But at the same time, it also appears to improve the ability to store water for use in irrigation, thereby contributing to food security<\/strong> and climate resilience.<\/p>\n The result, then, is a scenario made up of contrasting elements. In which, of course, there is no shortage of opportunities to develop suitable solutions<\/strong> to achieve a balance capable of reconciling population needs and environmental protection. This is suggested by a study<\/a> published in Ecosystems and People that examined a phenomenon that has been little studied to date: brick mining in Antanarivo<\/strong>, Madagascar.<\/p>\n