A new approach developed by University of Delaware researchers uses machine learning to predict soil moisture conditions in smaller areas with greater detail than standard models. This improves regional and global analysis while providing more accurate predictions even without existing data.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can degrade solid bedrock by oxidizing iron and extracting energy from it. The study found that these microorganisms use proteins on their outer surface to move electrons, allowing them to 'munch' rocks without taking minerals into their cells.
Midwest farmers adopting reduced tillage increased corn and soybean yields by 3.3% and 0.74%, respectively, while improving soil health and lowering production costs.
Researchers found that recycling nutrient-rich industrial waste products can enhance soil health while reducing carbon emissions and maintaining crop yields. The study used heat-inactivated spent microbial mass (SMB) as a fertilizer, which provided similar crop yields to conventional fertilizers but at greater rates.
Researchers employed satellite imagery and statistical models to identify the socio-economic causes of soil erosion globally. They found that national borders reveal areas with unnaturally high erosion rates, highlighting the 'country effect' as a major driver of soil loss.
Researchers at Colorado State University reveal that soil organic matter has two distinct components: particulate and mineral-associated organic matter, which differ in their origin, makeup, and persistence. Recognizing this diversity is essential for developing effective strategies to sequester carbon and promote soil health.
Researchers found that converting degraded pasture to oil palm plantations reduces stored carbon loss associated with rainforest clearing, but can lead to initial soil organic carbon loss. However, the carbon is later redistributed within the soil, resulting in long-term recovery of topsoil organic carbon.
A new experimental approach captures how soil ecosystems respond to multiple drivers, revealing shifts in soil properties and microbial communities. The study's results could help identify dangerous factor combinations and tipping points for soil ecosystems in the future.
A group of scientists from the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) urge policymakers to take action on soil carbon despite ongoing debates. They highlight the importance of rebuilding soil carbon for environmental and agricultural benefits, such as sustainable agriculture systems and water quality.
A recent study found that fumigants used to control nematodes in potato cropping systems have very minor effects on soil microbial communities. The research suggested that the average efficacy of these pesticides was estimated at 98% across all nematodes studied.
Researchers have found that fossil pollen can be preserved in floodplain soils, allowing scientists to reconstruct past climate dynamics and land use patterns. The study used soil properties such as organic matter concentration and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio to predict pollen abundance, providing a new tool for climate reconstruction.
Researchers found increased soil erosion 4,000 years ago coinciding with deforestation and land-use changes. Human practices accelerated global sediment accumulation, affecting ecosystems and climate.
A study analyzing pollen samples and radiocarbon dates found that human land use changes drove global soil erosion rates, starting around 4,000 years ago. In 70% of studied watersheds, land cover change was the main driver of soil erosion.
Researchers from RUDN University found that the rate of organic carbon accumulation in wild, cultivated, and abandoned soils depends mainly on soil type and composition. The study revealed that phaeozems release carbon easily, while chernozems contain more decomposition-resistant compounds.
Researchers successfully grew ten crops in Mars and Moon soil simulant, including garden cress, tomato, and radish. The study found that nine out of ten crops produced edible parts, with the exception of spinach.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals that actively managed mixed wood forests in New Hampshire have significant carbon stores, both above and below ground. The research found that the forests' soil carbon is higher in subplots with more trees, especially fir and spruce species.
Researchers developed a biochar technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from soils and prevent soil degradation. The innovative method uses chicken dung and agricultural waste to produce biochar, which slows down humus mineralization and stalls CO2 emission.
Researchers found increased rainfall reduces soil's water absorption rate, leading to more water in streams and lakes. Soil properties also affect carbon storage, potentially impacting climate models.
Research by Anglia Ruskin University found microplastics can stunt earthworm growth and cause weight loss, impacting soil ecosystem health. Soil contamination with certain plastics leads to decreased pH and reduced plant growth.
A community-led approach to understanding and addressing soil pollution in Troy, New York and Tierra Amarilla, Chile. The project aims to raise awareness of the issue and develop strategies for protecting public health through do-it-yourself testing and community engagement.
A new study found that concurrent soil drought and atmospheric aridity are driven by land-atmosphere processes and feedback loops, leading to increased frequency and intensity of extreme events. The researchers warn that future intensification of these events would be disastrous for ecosystems and human lives.
A review of current land surface models highlights the need for more accurate infiltration predictions, which affect erosion control and water supply. The authors recommend increasing attention to soil structure, moisture, temperature, precipitation, terrain, and plants in these models.
Researchers found that adding compost and cover crops to organic-certified systems increased soil carbon content by 12.6% over a 19-year period, outperforming the international '4 per 1000' initiative. This approach stores more carbon than previously calculated, highlighting the importance of balancing diet for microorganisms in soils.
A long-term study in California's Salinas Valley found that annual cover cropping significantly benefits soil health, while organic matter from compost has relatively small effects. The research suggests innovative strategies to increase cover cropping adoption, improving soil quality and sustainability.
A West Virginia forest study found that acid rain increases soil-to-atmosphere water transfer, leading to greater plant water uptake. This effect is attributed to the leaching of calcium from soil, which signals open stomata and allows evapotranspiration to continue.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered a new mechanism determining how carbon is stored in soils, which could improve climate resilience and reduce carbon footprints. Soils from ecosystems with higher plant diversity have more pores of the right size for stable carbon storage.
The use of chloropicrin as a preplant soil treatment measure has been found to suppress soilborne pathogenic fungi and some nematodes and insects. Additionally, it results in greater crop yield and health, with treated soil having a healthier root system, improved water use, and more efficient fertilizer use.
Researchers found that microaerobic Fe(II) oxidation coupled to carbon assimilation processes driven by microbes from paddy soil. The study identified the potential microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria in paddy soil and confirmed their ability to couple iron cycling with carbon transformation.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that Amazonian deforestation leads to reduced abundance and diversity of soil fauna and microbes. The research team also discovered that land use patterns after forest clearance impact soil biodiversity, with certain species more vulnerable to displacement than others.
A UBC researcher's study found that commercial bio-fertilizers may not improve soil quality or crop yields, raising concerns about environmental consequences. The study also highlights the need for more knowledge on the impact of these inoculants on the land and potential invasive species risks.
A University of Seville study reveals the existence of microscopic life in saline soil, highlighting its potential to inform climate change predictions. The research identifies key factors influencing microbial communities, including salinity, pH, and metals.
Researchers found that in-soil placement of fertilizer resulted in less phosphorus loss from snowmelt runoff. This practice helps roots access and take up phosphorus, reducing its interaction with runoff. The study's findings aim to encourage growers to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Researchers from Finland and Brazil developed a method that uses both plant and soil data to produce a map of soil properties in Amazonia. The study leverages digital herbarium databases and fern species occurrence data to estimate soil properties, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts.
The study reveals that increases in soil biodiversity follow plant cover increases in less productive ecosystems, while acidification leads to declines in more productive ecosystems. These patterns differ from those observed in other communities.
Researchers found that caterpillars ingest soil and retain a microbiome similar to the soil itself, allowing them to access 'voicemails' left behind by plants. This discovery sheds light on the impact of soil legacy on insect health and has potential applications for agriculture.
A recent study found that high levels of inorganic P-fertilizer can reduce microbial functions critical to crop health. Soil microorganisms from treated soils negatively impacted plant yield. The study suggests excessive phosphate fertilizer use may have lasting negative effects on crop productivity.
A new study explores how climate-driven evolution in tree populations changes their interaction with the soil environment, leading to reduced genetic variation and altered soil microbiome. Warmer temperatures result in earlier bud break and leaf-out, reducing genetic variation and affecting soil microbial communities.
Scientists are working to map and understand underwater soils, which affect commercial, recreational, and transportation activities. Data collected provides insights into soil properties and their importance in habitats and ecosystems.
Researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus have discovered that irrigation with lake water releases CO2 from bicarbonates, a natural process that has practical applications for agriculture-based communities. The study suggests that understanding this process is essential in combatting rising atmospheric greenhouse gases.
The Crowther Lab's research uses global datasets to understand the global forest system and identify regions of high priority for biodiversity conservation. They find that warming soil will lead to increased carbon emissions, particularly in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, threatening climate change mitigation efforts.
A new study found that collecting soil data at short intervals can increase the success of land reclamation, leading to faster regeneration and lower costs. By fine-tuning fertilizer and lime applications based on soil pH levels, teams achieved significant cost savings, especially in mountainous areas.
Researchers at Rice University have fine-tuned a pyrolysis technique to remove petroleum contaminants from soil, restoring its fertility. The method uses gentle heat to preserve the soil's essential clays, eliminating 99.9% of total petroleum hydrocarbons and 94.5% of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
A new paper by Yale researchers confirms that increasing soil organic carbon boosts yields until concentrations reach about 2 percent, after which returns diminish. Roughly two-thirds of agricultural soils dedicated to maize and wheat fall below this threshold, suggesting vast potential for policies promoting increased SOM.
Researchers found that soil minerals can store a significant amount of carbon, which could be exploited as the world shifts its carbon economy. Wetter climates facilitate mineral formation, allowing more carbon to be stored.
Scientists will investigate soil carbon formation, stabilization, and loss with a £1.8 million grant from the Natural Environment Research Council. The study aims to quantify increases in soil carbon storage that can mitigate climate change and improve global food security.
Researchers created an experimental model to evaluate fire and water interactions in soil, finding low- to moderate-severity wildfires result in wetter soil. High-severity burns lead to increased surface runoff, leaving drier soils after the fire.
Leading scientists propose eight steps to boost global soil organic carbon stocks, mitigate climate change and improve agricultural productivity. The KJWA aims to formalize these measures through coordination and financing.
Researchers at Lund University studied how 18 years of drought affect soil bacteria, finding that drought-tolerant microbes can slow carbon loss from soils. This adaptation could mitigate the impact of climate change on global carbon balance.
A major soil organic matter compound, humic acid, has been found to degrade chronic wasting disease prions and reduce their infectivity in mice. The findings suggest that soil organic material can break down the prions, making them less infectious.
Researchers found that conservation tillage combined with straw mulch improves soil moisture, seedling emergence rates, and marketable yield. Straw mulch proved to be the most effective option for increasing potato tuber yield, leading to a 14.9% increase in yields compared to conventional tillage.
A RUDN scientist studied Tibetan soils and found that simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization decreases organic carbon content. This study challenges agricultural practices and suggests modifying management of alpine grasslands to prevent CO2 loss.
A new study suggests that previous applications of phosphorus fertilizers increase their effectiveness, allowing for more judicious use. This can help farmers save money and reduce environmental pollution by using only as much phosphorus as required.
Research finds that long-term annual application of manure improves most soil quality properties compared to inorganic fertilizer. Manure increases soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and water-stable aggregates, while reducing soil electrical conductivity.
Researchers found that today's mix of soil bacteria is strongly influenced by the climate of 50 years ago. The study predicts that as soil microbes adjust to today's climate over the next few decades, their diversity will increase across most of the Tibetan Plateau and northern North America.
Researchers used visible/near-infrared spectroscopy to predict breakthrough curves of dissolved chemicals in intact soil columns. The new technology estimated mass transport with a high degree of accuracy and has potential for cost-effective and efficient monitoring of dissolved chemical transport.
Researchers in Brazil develop an effective method to minimize lost coffee berries during mechanical harvesting, reducing soil compaction and improving profit margins. The study suggests using a subsoiler followed by a crusher as the most cost-effective solution.
A new study led by University of Kansas researcher Pamela Sullivan is analyzing changes in soil structure and their influence on water quality and availability. The research aims to develop mathematical models to understand the interactions between biogeochemistry, soil structure, and environmental conditions.
Researchers found that soil's health can be improved through agronomic management, such as cover crops and conservation tillage. This approach can help preserve crop yields and mitigate the effects of climate change on global food supply.
The study found that less food energy at depth makes it difficult for microbes to decompose organic carbon deposits, creating an underground storehouse. As a result, carbon is more likely to be stored long-term due to slower decomposition rates.
New research reveals that low-severity burns weaken soil structure, increasing risk of erosion, while also releasing organic carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Soils in burned areas show deteriorating physical properties over weeks and months.