Articles tagged with Soil Erosion
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Research in Chile's national parks shows that wildfires significantly alter soil structure and nutrient cycles, affecting ecosystem resilience. Humid temperate forests recover faster than mediterranean woodlands due to fire-adapted trees and higher rainfall.
Researchers found thousands of hutia fossils in a Caribbean cave, including nests made from compacted soil and coated with a waxy substance. The discovery provides evidence of the presence of bees in the area thousands of years ago, challenging initial findings on wasp nests.
A global research effort by Colorado State University reveals that extreme, prolonged droughts in grasslands and shrublands result in more than twice the loss of plant productivity compared to moderate droughts. The study suggests that these ecosystems lose their ability to recover over time under prolonged dry conditions.
A study found that Lake Michigan shoreline armoring has increased fivefold in response to high-water levels, posing threats to coastal ecosystems. The increase in structures like seawalls and groins raises concerns about their long-term effects on the environment.
Researchers found that agro-pastoral activities increased soil erosion rates 4-10 times faster than natural formation over 3,800 years. The study reveals the degradation of high-altitude soil first, followed by medium- and low-altitude soils with agricultural development.
A new study from Tulane University reveals that parts of New Orleans are sinking at an alarming rate, with some areas experiencing up to 2 inches of elevation loss annually. The findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the city's flood defenses remain effective.
A new study reveals that the Neolithic Revolution in the southern Levant was triggered by catastrophic wildfires and climate-driven soil erosion, forcing early communities to adopt agriculture. Fertile soils formed in valley basins after hillslope degradation became hotspots for settlement and farming.
Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
A new study reveals the extreme vulnerability of young volcanic soils to wildfires in the Arequipa shrublands of Peru. The research found that vegetation and soil combustion, combined with post-fire erosion, have caused a severe loss of soil organic carbon, hindering ecosystem recovery.
A new study estimates the societal costs of blowing dust and wind erosion at approximately $154 billion per year across the United States. Dust can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory illnesses, causing significant medical costs, while also damaging homes and landscaping, transportation systems, and agricultural productivity.
New research reveals alfalfa-almond intercropping reduces winter soil nitrate leaching and field water loss via evaporation. The practice can capture and convert nitrogen losses into revenues for almond farmers during the non-productive winter season.
A new study finds that a nearby eroding river gorge is causing Mount Everest's peak to rise by 15-50 meters over the past 89,000 years. The research suggests that the loss of landmass due to erosion is causing the mountain to spring upwards by as much as 2 millimeters a year.
Researchers propose a simple indicator of crop's impact on soil erosion, calculating its 'soil footprint' for Spain's main crops. The study reveals that olive trees have the largest 'soil footprint', while onions and potatoes have the smallest, emphasizing the need to adopt protective strategies to reduce soil erosion.
A new study found that soil erosion significantly contributed to devastating desert floods in Libya, claiming over 11,300 lives. The research highlights the urgent need for advanced earth observations programs to monitor arid areas due to climate change.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired process to make marine sand more durable and resistant to erosion by applying a mild electric current. This natural cement reduces the need for expensive protection structures and provides a sustainable solution for strengthening global coastlines.
A recent study by UT Arlington scientist Nathan D. Brown shows Alaskan land is eroding faster than it can be replaced due to climate change. The team mapped and dated floodplain deposits, determining permafrost extent, to model how permafrost formation varies with air temperature.
A research team finds that local community members are indispensable partners in enhancing community engagement in repairing damaged ecosystems. Local values and attitudes play a crucial role in promoting sustainable ecosystem management practices.
Researchers from UNIGE have measured the increase in soil erosion caused by global warming, with a four-fold increase observed in sediments from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. This study suggests that current warming could lead to similar effects, increasing flood risks and threatening populated areas.
A study by Dartmouth College finds that regenerative agriculture's impact on farmers extends beyond financial gain, influencing their relationships and quality of life. By adopting practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping, farmers experience reduced dependence on agrochemicals and improved soil fertility.
A new study by Dr. Allan Hassaniyan argues Iran's water policy is discriminatory, leading to socioecological deterioration in peripheral regions and causing devastating effects on agriculture, health, and the environment.
A new study by Stanford researchers explores the effects of different watershed interventions on coral health, finding that regional-scale approaches yield better results. The research identifies key areas for restoration, protection, and sustainable agriculture to support both ecosystem and societal benefits.
A database containing over 6,000 agri-environmental policies from 200 countries has been published by the University of Bonn and ETH Zurich researchers. The study found that richer countries tend to implement more eco-friendly measures, while national policies play a significant role in reducing soil erosion.
The Arctic Landscape EXplorer (ALEX) provides spatially explicit information on recent or ongoing thaw and erosion in the Arctic. ALEX contains data on satellite-derived trends in land surface changes at 30m resolution, offering insights into permafrost stability and its impact on infrastructure and communities.
Researchers confirm ancient lake sediments at Jezero crater on Mars using radar imaging, revealing eons of environmental changes and potential signs of past life. The discovery supports the search for evidence of life in Perseverance rover's soil and rock samples.
A new study reveals how sika deer foraging is causing soil erosion, reducing the growth of Japanese beech trees. The research found that exposed roots are more vulnerable to water loss, affecting tree health and increasing vulnerability to climate change and pests.
A study by the University of Córdoba found that ground cover reduces erosion, runoff, and organic carbon loss in Mediterranean olive groves. The research showed a significant decrease in carbon loss of up to 76.4% compared to conventional tillage.
A new study published in Earth's Future predicts that adopting sustainable 'no-till' or 'low-till' practices can stop Midwest topsoil loss in its tracks, reducing erosion by 95% over the next 100 years. This could save billions of dollars and mitigate crop productivity losses due to soil erosion.
The US has lost 57.6 billion tons of topsoil due to farming practices, but new research suggests no-till methods can drastically reduce erosion and extend fertility for centuries. No-till farming, currently practiced on 40% of Midwest cropland acres, can modelled to slow down soil loss.
A new study published in Biogeosciences suggests that agricultural soil erosion may actually create an organic carbon sink, rather than a source. The researchers argue that the 'geomorphic OC pump' transfers organic carbon from the atmosphere to upland soils, which can be stored in sedimentary environments.
University of Illinois scientists developed a way to accurately map tilled land in real-time using ground, airborne, and satellite imagery. The method increased mapping accuracy by 67% compared to upscaling directly from the ground to the satellite.
Researchers at UMass Amherst calculated pre-agricultural soil erosion rates in the Midwest, finding them to be 0.04 mm per year, significantly lower than the USDA's current limit of 1 mm per year. Modern agriculture has accelerated erosion rates, threatening topsoil and global food security.
A new study reveals that the US Midwest has seen a significant increase in cover crop adoption, with 7.2% of cropland being planted with cover crops in 2021. This is attributed to government programs and funding initiatives, which have been shown to strongly correlate with the onset of cover crop assistance.
The Eurasian Ice Sheet sculpted Europe's landscape through extreme erosion over the last 100,000 years, with climate and geology playing key roles. The study reveals vast networks of subglacial rivers, promoting faster ice flow and sediment transport, with significant implications for marine carbon sinks and coastal communities.
A global study found that grazing can have positive effects on ecosystem services in species-rich rangelands but negative impacts under a warmer climate. The study highlights the importance of managing grazing locally to cope with climate change.
Researchers developed a modeling framework using remote sensing data to predict gully erosion susceptibility. They found that spatiotemporal changes in land cover and precipitation were crucial in predicting gully formation in agricultural areas, with 7.4% of the study area having an elevated risk of developing gullies.
Researchers have developed perennial rice that allows farmers to plant once and harvest up to eight times, reducing labor and costs. The crop provides significant environmental benefits, including improved soil quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study reveals that Arctic lakes have shrunk or dried completely over the past 20 years, threatening local Indigenous communities and industries. The research found that permafrost thaw is accelerating lake drainage, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere and exacerbating climate change.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals no-till farming boosts agricultural land values in the Midwest, with a 1% increase translating to a $7.86 per acre gain. This finding supports the economic and environmental benefits of adopting soil conservation practices like no-till farming.
A new study published in Nature Food finds that ploughing and tilling soil on slopes is causing farm soils to thin, threatening future crop yields. The researchers predict significant declines in wheat and maize yields over the next 50 years if farmers continue to till hill slopes.
The NTU team has developed a process using industrial carbide sludge and urea to create biocement, which can strengthen soil, reduce water seepage, and even repair rock carvings. The biocement-making process generates fewer carbon emissions and requires less energy compared to traditional cement production methods.
A new study reveals that innovative restoration practices can replicate natural landscape-building processes in wetlands, enhancing their carbon-storing potential. Successful restorations require dense plant clumps or large areas restored in one go to mimic the plants' landscape-forming properties.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
Friedhelm von Blanckenburg's project DEVENDRA explores the weathering of basalt and carbonate rocks, measuring their transformation into soil and subsequent erosion. The goal is to establish a novel method for calibrating the laws governing weathering and CO2 drawdown.
A new study found that restoring diverse native forests delivers greater climate and environmental benefits than simple tree plantations, but plantations outperform native forests in wood production. The research synthesized data from over 26,000 records to assess the relative performance of different forest restoration approaches.
A new study led by UMass Amherst finds that human-caused erosion in the US Midwest has lost nearly double the average sustainable rate, with plowing identified as the major culprit. The team's research estimates that the region has lost approximately 57.6 billion metric tons of topsoil since farming began 160 years ago.
The Mediterranean region has the highest soil erosion rates in Europe, with severe salinisation problems and low levels of soil organic matter. The study recommends a coordinated network to investigate soil biodiversity and assess its trends to prevent future degradation.
Scientists at the University of Hamburg have calculated for the first time the future balance of Arctic coastal erosion, which increases by up to three meters per year with each degree of temperature increase. A shift towards greater sustainability could slow this process, but it's unlikely to stop land loss entirely.
A recent study found that cover cropping can reduce the population of Pseudomonas syringae, a common bacterial pathogen affecting agricultural crops. The researchers also discovered an increase in beneficial microbes such as Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium, which have been used as biocontrol agents against pathogens.
Researchers found that before the weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere began to stick to their bedrock more effectively, causing glaciers to grow thicker and disrupt global heat conveyor belts. This led to stronger ice ages and the observed climate pattern shift.
A meta-analysis by the University of Basel found that no-till farming alone does not achieve desired results in sustainable agriculture. Retaining crop residues on fields after harvest prevails over no-till farming in promoting carbon storage, soil protection and increased yields.
Researchers found a twofold decrease in soil and gully erosion in the southern taiga region of the Vyatka river basin, mainly due to reduced tillage and animal husbandry. Climate change is not believed to be a significant contributor to erosion changes in this area.
Research finds that human settlement led to increased fires and soil erosion, altering unique island ecosystems in Macaronesia. The study also shows that colonial-era settlers had a greater impact on vegetation than aboriginal settlers.
A comprehensive study by Artyom Gusarov found that soil erosion and river sediment load decreased significantly in European Russia. Climate change and warming of near-soil air led to reduced frosting and decreased erosion-inducing sediment from tillage in the steppes.
Grazing by cattle and small herbivores reduces salt marsh erosion, contributing to nature-based coastal defense. Artificial mowing also increases erosion resistance by excluding burying animals from the soil.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing new models to predict soil erosion and topography changes in Iowa. The models use big-data technology and validate soil measurements from real-world LiDAR data, enabling more accurate predictions of environmental conditions.
The US Corn Belt has lost around 35% of its organic-rich A-horizon soil through agricultural erosion, leading to a 6% decline in crop yields and $2.8 billion annual economic losses.
The US Department of Agriculture has underestimated the true magnitude of farmland erosion in the Corn Belt, which has lost nearly 30 million acres of its carbon-rich topsoil. Researchers used remote sensing to quantify the previously underestimated erosion, highlighting the need for tillage erosion inclusion in soil loss models.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a modeling framework to estimate soil erosion in the Drummer Creek watershed. The study found that even partial changes in tilling practices can have significant results, with vulnerable areas seeing a near-70% reduction in soil loss and sediment yield.
A global study found that over 90% of conventionally farmed soils are thinning, with many having lifespans of less than a century. However, soils managed with conservation techniques tend to have longer lifespans, and certain practices like converting arable land to forest can help extend soil lifespan.