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Leaf traits drive herbivory across forests: Silicon and heat tolerance matter

Researchers found that plant species with tougher leaves actually suffered more from insect damage, while those with higher silicon concentrations sustained less. In contrast, plants with higher heat tolerance experienced greater herbivory. Understanding these drivers is crucial for predicting forest health under future climate scenarios.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalPlant Diversity·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2026

Tropical primary forest plants up-regulate root exudation to adapt to long-term high nitrogen deposition

A research team found that tropical forest plants increase root carbon exudation to stimulate phosphatase activity, mineralize organic P, and release organic acids to dissolve mineral-bound P. This adaptation helps alleviate P limitation under long-term N enrichment, sustaining productivity.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

Machine learning helps farmers use biochar more precisely to manage soil phosphorus

A new study uses machine learning to predict how pristine biochar affects soil phosphorus availability under different conditions. The model identifies key factors such as pyrolysis temperature and application rate that influence phosphorus regulation, suggesting a more precise approach to biochar use.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2026

New insights into biochar reveal how to better capture phosphorus and protect water systems

Researchers have developed a calcium-modified biochar that more effectively captures organic phosphorus, offering a solution to reduce nutrient pollution in water systems. The study reveals how molecular structure influences phosphorus adsorption, providing a clearer roadmap for designing more effective materials.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2026

Emerging pollutants threaten efficiency of wastewater treatment: New review highlights urgent research needs

The study highlights how emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and industrial chemicals interfere with biological phosphorus removal processes in wastewater treatment plants. The review emphasizes the need for updated strategies and experimental designs to address these new contaminants.

Were large soda lakes the cradle of life?

Phosphorus is essential for life, but it's rare at Earth's surface. Large soda lakes can maintain high phosphorus concentrations through constant inflow and minimal evaporation. This creates an ideal environment for prebiotic chemistry, making these lakes a potential cradle of life.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 25, 2025

Scientists tackle farm nutrient pollution with sustainable, affordable designer biochar pellets

A new type of biochar pellet has been developed to remove phosphorus from farm drainage water, reducing pollution and costs. The pellets have a significantly higher phosphorus-binding capacity than traditional materials, making them an efficient solution for farmers seeking to reduce nutrient losses.

Materials of the future can be extracted from wastewater

A team of researchers has developed a method to extract valuable materials such as biopolymers and phosphorus from wastewater treatment plants. These biomaterials can be used as sustainable alternatives to oil-based products in various industries, including paper production, building materials, and water purification.

SourceAalborg University·JournalCurrent Opinion in Biotechnology·TypeNews article·DateOct 18, 2024

Biogeochemistry scientists from around the world, led by the ASC's Margenot, publish position paper on tackling “hidden” phosphorus

Researchers developed a comprehensive roadmap to measure legacy phosphorus accumulation in soils. They identified key priorities and non-priorities, providing a unified vision for future phosphorus use. The study found that accumulated phosphorus is often located in the top 12 inches of soil and transforms into different forms than whe...

Exploring options for the sustainable management of phosphorus

A new IIASA study assesses the feasibility of recovering phosphorus from Swedish municipal wastewater as a sustainable source, providing alternative fertilizers. The researchers found that economic viability varies between individual plants and hub strategies, with collaborative approaches offering cost savings.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalSustainable Production and Consumption·DateAug 16, 2024

New research sheds light on relationships between plants and insects in forest ecosystems

A new study published by US Forest Service researchers explores the impact of leaf-eating insects on forest ecosystems worldwide. The findings suggest that warmer climates affect plant-herbivore interactions, leading to changes in carbon and nutrient cycling in broadleaved forests globally.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 1, 2024

Key nutrients help plants beat the heat

Researchers at Salk Institute found that higher temperatures drain plants of important dietary nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, affecting their long-term sustainability. The study's findings will inform the engineering of climate-resilient crops to address global warming's impact on food production.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 3, 2024

ONe nova to rule them all

Astronomers propose a new model to explain the origin of phosphorus, with ONe novae as a major source. The theory predicts a large amount of phosphorus will be released in these events, which would have been readily available when the Solar System formed.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMay 9, 2024

Recovering phosphorus from sewage sludge ash

A new method recovers phosphorus from sewage sludge ash through chemical and heat treatment, providing a valuable resource for industries. The process can be implemented with lower energy requirements and costs than conventional technologies, making it an attractive solution for addressing the depletion of phosphorus ores.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalResources Conservation and Recycling·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2024

Lake ecosystems: Nitrogen has been underestimated

A study reveals that nitrogen plays a crucial role in phytoplankton growth in shallow lakes worldwide, contradicting traditional limnological consensus. The research team analyzed data from 159 lakes and found that 60% exhibit dual-nutrient limitation, where both phosphorus and nitrogen affect phytoplankton growth.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 29, 2024

Study: 'Legacy' phosphorus delays water quality improvements in Gulf of Mexico

Research by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that phosphorus legacy in riverbeds can delay water quality improvements in the Gulf of Mexico. It may take years or even decades for the reductions to be seen at the Gulf, according to a study published in Science of the Total Environment.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 7, 2024

New research shows how pollutants from aerosols and river run-off are changing the marine phosphorus cycle in coastal seas

New research reveals how human activities affect the marine phosphorus cycle in coastal seas, leading to changes in coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services. The study identifies an 'Anthropogenic Nitrogen Pump' that reduces phosphate levels, limiting algae growth, and enhances the utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024

Study: Extreme rainfall increases ag nutrient runoff, conservation strategies can help

A new study from the University of Illinois finds that extreme rainfall leads to significant spikes in nutrient concentrations, particularly after ½ inch, 1 inch, and 2 inches of precipitation. However, agricultural management practices such as cover crops can lower nutrient levels in water and persist until the end of the growing season.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association·DateDec 11, 2023

Recycled phosphorus fertilizer reduces nutrient leaching, maintains yield

Researchers have found that struvite, a recycled phosphorus fertilizer, can reduce nutrient leaching and maintain soybean yields compared to conventional fertilizers. The study showed that struvite can be a full substitute for traditional fertilizers in terms of yield benefits.

What phytoplankton physiology has to do with global climate

A study reveals that variable C:N:P ratios of phytoplankton are essential for regulating dissolved oceanic nutrient ratios, while also influencing atmospheric CO2 levels on geological time scales. The findings challenge the commonly hypothesized strong link between phytoplankton and seawater nutrient ratios.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 13, 2023

Switching from harmful to helpful fungi

Researchers found a single gene cluster that determines whether fungus aids or hinders plant growth, offering potential for reducing food waste and increasing crop yields. The study highlights the complex relationships between fungi and their host plants, challenging traditional views of pathogenic and mutualistic traits.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023