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Heat and drought change what forests breathe out

Researchers found that warming temperatures may actually reduce nitrogen gas emissions from forest soils in dry conditions, contradicting earlier predictions. The study's findings suggest that moisture levels, not just heat, play a crucial role in determining the fate of nitrogen in forests.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 2, 2025

Soil carbon decomposition varies vastly, holding implications for climate models

A new study found that the rate of organic carbon decomposition in soil samples collected across the US differed by up to tenfold, with factors like fungi and iron levels strongly associated with variation. This could improve the accuracy of soil carbon feedback estimates in climate models, leading to more refined projections.

SourceIowa State University·JournalOne Earth·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 20, 2025

Long-term biochar use found to sustainably boost crop yields and cut greenhouse gas emissions

A new study found that long-term biochar application can sustainably boost crop yields by 10.8% and cut greenhouse gas emissions like methane and nitrous oxide by 13.5% and 21.4%. Biochar's benefits on soil health and carbon sequestration are also significant, with increased soil organic carbon content by 52.5%.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

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Global warming accelerates CO2 emissions from soil microbes

Soil microbes are releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere due to global warming, with a potential increase of 40% by 2100 in polar regions. The emissions vary across climate zones, with cold polar regions being more sensitive to changes in soil moisture.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 23, 2023

Microorganisms' climate adaptation can slow down global warming

A new study reveals that microorganisms can adapt to temperature changes and even benefit from them. The organisms differ in their sensitivity to temperature changes, with bacteria being more sensitive than fungi. This adaptation allows them to store carbon in soil, slowing down global warming.

SourceLund University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 22, 2023

A viscious circle: Climate change affects greenhouse gas emissions from stream networks

A new study by Linköping University reveals that climate change alters natural greenhouse gas fluxes from streams and lakes, making landscape carbon sinks less effective. The researchers found that increased precipitation and temperature affect the amount of carbon washed into streams and lakes, leading to greater emissions.

SourceLinköping University·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·DateMar 22, 2023

Estimates of the carbon cycle - vital to predicting climate change - are incorrect, Virginia Tech researchers show

Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that key parts of the global carbon cycle used to track movement of carbon dioxide in the environment are not correct. The estimate of how much carbon dioxide plants pull from the atmosphere is critical to accurately monitor and predict the amount of climate-changing gases in the atmosphere.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2022
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How much greenhouse gas emission comes from tropical deforestation and peatland loss?

Studies in Cameroon, Indonesia, and Peru found that forest conversion to agriculture and degradation slows carbon and nitrogen cycles, affecting greenhouse gas flows. Methane removals decreased by up to 47% and nitrous oxide emissions dropped by 52%, but results are equivocal for peatland degradation.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalEcosphere·DateDec 16, 2020

Nitrogen and elevated carbon dioxide feedbacks in a grassland

Researchers discovered that elevated CO2 levels stimulate soil respiration under conditions of nitrogen limitation. Elevated CO2 has a deteriorating effect on climate change mitigation in soils deficient in nitrogen.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2020

Solving the jigsaw puzzle of regional carbon budgets

A new study has provided the first global 'bottom-up' terrestrial carbon budget, estimating a net sink of -2.2 ± 0.6 Pg C y-1 between 2000 and 2009. The study reveals that a significant portion of carbon fixed in terrestrial ecosystems is lost through fires, emissions, and export to rivers, rather than being retained in the soil.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 24, 2020

Researchers find multiple effects on soil from manure from cows administered antibiotics

A new study by Colorado State University researchers found that exposure to manure from cows administered antibiotics alters the soil microbiome and ecosystem functions, reduces soil carbon storage, and changes how plants allocate carbon below ground. The findings suggest that widespread use of antibiotics in livestock production has s...

SourceColorado State University·JournalEcology Letters·DateOct 9, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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Study finds limited sign of soil adaptation to climate warming

A study found that soil respiration rates increase with temperature up to 25°C, but decrease above this threshold. The Arctic and deserts are most responsive to climate warming due to higher carbon storage in soils.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 14, 2016

Urban soils release surprising amounts of carbon dioxide

Researchers at Boston University found that urban soils in metropolitan areas surrounding the city core release significant amounts of CO2 through a process called soil respiration. This discovery highlights the importance of considering biological emissions in assessments of climate action programs.

SourceBoston University·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateFeb 23, 2016

Climate change and the soil

A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that long-term warming has little effect on the storage of carbon in tropical forest soils. The research suggests that warmer temperatures stimulate an increase in leaf litter and underground sources of carbon, offsetting any potential losses in soil carbon.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJul 23, 2014
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Even soil feels the heat

Researchers analyzed 439 soil respiration studies and found that the total amount of carbon dioxide flowing from soils has increased by about 1-2 percent per year since 1989. The study suggests that higher temperatures are unlocking old carbon, but more boreal data is needed to reach statistical relevance.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMar 24, 2010