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Cover crops reduce erosion, runoff

A three-year study found that cover crops significantly reduced erosion and runoff in maize cropping systems, with a residual effect lasting up to two years. The research suggests that burying sufficient cover crop biomass into the soil can reduce erosion rates by 40-90% lower than rough tillage.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateMay 18, 2010
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

GPS helps locate soil erosion pathways

Researchers developed prediction models to identify eroded waterways from digital terrain information, enabling the placement of grassed waterways and reducing soil erosion. These models accurately identified potential locations of erosion-prone areas, corresponding well with actual field observations.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateAug 13, 2009

A model to measure soil health in the era of bioenergy

A team of scientists developed a model to measure soil quality and predict long-term changes in soil organic carbon and organic matter. The CQESTR model simulates the effects of various management practices on soil dynamics, providing insights for sustainable crop and soil management.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateNov 19, 2008

Virginia Tech engineers identify conditions that initiate erosion

Researchers have identified sustained spikes in turbulence as the primary condition initiating soil erosion on land and in water. The team developed a method to quantify the impact of turbulence on soil erosion, which can be applied to predict particle movement and pollution spread.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience·DateOct 30, 2008
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Self seeding: An innovative management system

Winter cover crops can perpetuate themselves through self-seeding, eliminating planting costs and time constraints for farmers. This innovative management system also enhances weed suppression and improves soil quality.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateApr 15, 2008

Limited biofuel feedstock supply?

Researchers report that sustainable biomass production may be hindered by soil organic matter needs, suggesting a need for alternative crops and improved agricultural practices. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors beyond just soil erosion when evaluating feedstock supply.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateNov 28, 2007

Agricultural soil erosion is not adding to global warming

Researchers found that erosion acts as a sink for atmospheric carbon, capturing about 1.5% of annual fossil-fuel emissions worldwide. This challenges previous estimates suggesting soil erosion could be a significant source or sink of carbon.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience·DateOct 25, 2007

Ancient coral reef tells the history of Kenya's soil erosion

A 300-year record of soil erosion in Kenya has been created using coral samples from the Indian Ocean, revealing a dramatic increase in erosion since British colonialism began. The study highlights the importance of sustainable land use practices to mitigate soil erosion and its consequences for food production.

SourceStanford University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 10, 2007
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Heavy rains can make more dust in Earth's driest spots

Research finds that heavy rainfall and flooding can lead to more dust being released into the atmosphere, especially in regions like the Tigris-Euphrates Basin and North Africa. In contrast, areas with more vegetation and lower wind speeds tend to experience a decrease in dust emissions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 25, 2005

AGU Journal highlights - 23 February 2005

Researchers resolve global atmospheric circulation and cumulus convection issues using new modeling approaches. Volcanologists examine relationships between magma movement and fault orientation to better understand earthquake locations. Coral analysis reveals correlation between Indian Ocean sea surface temperature changes and El Nino ...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 23, 2005

K-State professor to discuss feeding the world's population without poison

Agriculture can provide food and energy security while sustaining soil and water resources, says Kansas State University professor Charles W. Rice. Properly managed agricultural systems can conserve soil and water, but excessive tillage, low productivity, and residue removal result in loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation.

SourceKansas State University·DateFeb 19, 2005

People cause more soil erosion than all natural processes

Researchers found that human activities, mainly agriculture and construction, cause more soil erosion than all natural processes combined. This situation is particularly critical due to the rapid growth of the Earth's population and widespread land use.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateNov 3, 2004
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

After the forest fire: Evergreen needles prevent soil erosion

A study found that ponderosa pine and Douglas fir needles can reduce water flow erosion by up to 60% and rain-induced erosion by up to 80%. Researchers used artificial rain laboratory experiments to test the effectiveness of needle cover in preventing post-fire soil erosion.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalWater Resources Research·DateNov 18, 2003

New findings help predict soil production and erosion

New study by Benjamin Burke and Arjun Heimsath predicts future soil production and erosion in similar landscapes, supporting previous research on chemical weathering's role. The researchers studied three sites in Australia and California, finding variability in chemical and physical weathering processes across small areas.

SourceDartmouth College·DateNov 5, 2003
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.