Articles tagged with Soils
Researchers analyzed 151 ecosystems across six continents to understand the intricate coexistence network among diverse species in soil ecosystems. They found that facilitative networks, characterized by positive associations, are more common than previously thought and play a key role in maintaining soil biodiversity.
The researchers conclude that intensive agricultural cultivation has reduced the landscape's water storage capacity, leading to severe droughts. Restoring natural habitats can restore soil structure, allowing for evapotranspiration and guaranteeing rainfall in drought years.
A new study found that the spatial arrangement of plants in drylands can be a sign of environmental degradation. Healthy ecosystems adjust their structure to cope with stressors, but degraded ones lose this adaptability and become more prone to further decline.
New research reveals nitrogen fertilizers affect predatory protists more than other groups, changing trophic interactions and prey populations. This study provides crucial insights into sustainable soil fertility and rice production.
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.
Research finds that plants decrease volatile organic compounds in response to fungal associations, but not when exposed to caterpillars. Plants with fungal associations also exhibit increased growth and complex root structures.
A new Northwestern University-led fuel cell harvests energy from microbes in soil to power underground sensors, potentially offering a sustainable alternative to batteries. The technology outlasts similar technologies by 120% and can operate in both wet and dry conditions.
A study published on Nature Food highlights the potential of using by-products in animal diets to save land and water resources. The research suggests that substituting energy-intensive crops with agricultural by-products could reduce competition for natural resources and improve food security.
New research reveals that microplastic pollution affects soil fungi differently depending on moisture levels. In dry conditions, microplastics help retain water and may mitigate drought effects, while in well-watered environments, toxic chemicals leach into the soil, hindering fungal richness.
Researchers discovered that plants eliminate IMA1 to prevent harmful bacteria from thriving, but increasing IMA1 levels makes leaves more resistant to attack. This finding suggests a deep connection between iron availability and the plant immune system.
Researchers developed an innovative method to manage construction-generated sludge by utilizing aeration curing, which reduces pH levels and requires less neutralizer. The technique has the potential to improve soil health and support sustainable development goals.
A recent study found that climate warming is altering carbon flow and food web dynamics in Arctic tundra and boreal forest ecosystems, with fungi replacing plants as the main energy source for animals. This shift has significant implications for ecosystem function and animal responses to climate change.
Machine learning algorithms revealed that MP size, shape, and dosage significantly alter soil properties. The study provides essential data for informed decision-making on plastic waste management and corporate sustainability efforts.
Linköping University scientists create an electrically conductive substrate, eSoil, which enhances crop growth by up to 50% in just 15 days. This innovation enables efficient water and nutrient management, making it suitable for urban environments and areas with limited arable land.
A study published in Nature Communications found that planting diverse crops reduces the number of microorganisms in the soil that eat plants, leading to higher yields. This is because specialized pathogens are suppressed in diverse communities, allowing for greater use of biomass.
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.
The ILSI 2024 Annual Meeting will feature scientific presentations, professional development, and networking opportunities focused on innovations for safe, nutritious, and sustainable food manufacturing systems. Press registration is now available for media outlets covering the event.
Research from the University of Gothenburg found that trees surrounded by grass are stronger, taller, and cooler than those with paving close to the trunk. The study suggests investing in good soil and water for trees in urban areas where optimal conditions can be challenging.
Researchers at NUS-SCELSE have discovered a plant hormone, methyl jasmonate, that communicates with beneficial microorganisms in the soil, boosting crop growth by 30%. This finding holds great promise for sustainable agriculture and could lead to the development of nature-based agrochemicals.
Researchers developed a gradient F-doping hydroxyapatite core-shell structure with flexoelectricity and piezoelectricity, exhibiting enhanced degradation of phenanthrene in soil. The catalyst showed optimized piezocatalytic activity, outperforming pristine HAP and F-HAP.
Forest microclimates are weakened by soil droughts, leading to hotter temperatures in forest understories. This can have devastating effects on small tree seedlings and forest biodiversity as a whole.
Researchers found that mycorrhizal fungi can significantly improve crop yields by up to 40% in fields with high levels of fungal pathogens. The inoculation was most effective when the soil had already been contaminated with pathogens, serving as a protective shield against further damage.
Under acidic conditions, coumarins like sideretin help sustain Fe2+ reduction; at alkaline pH, fraxetin promotes Fe3+ mobilization. This fine regulation allows plants to adapt to different soil pH levels.
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.
Researchers discover chemical injection strengthens sandy soil through increased cohesion and internal friction angle, with no long-term strength loss. The treatment also enhances water-sealing capacity, mitigating flood risks and improving infrastructure durability.
Researchers found that non-living processes involving reactive oxygen species play a significant role in paddy soils' CO2 emissions. The study highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between organic carbon and both living and non-living contributors to devise effective strategies against global warming.
Researchers aim to identify contaminants in ash, soil, and surface waters from the Maui fire, posing risks to human health. The study will also help educate communities on the presence and risk of contaminants, informing prevention measures for future fires.
Scientists have developed a new method to investigate the deposition and impact of microplastics in soil, using neutron and X-ray tomography. The technique allows for the precise location of microplastic particles and analysis of changes to soil structure, shedding light on the environmental implications of microplastic pollution.
Researchers developed a metal-organic coating that protects bacterial cells from damage without impeding their growth or function. The coated bacteria improved the germination rate of various seeds by 150 percent, making it possible to deploy microbes as fertilizers for large-scale agricultural use.
Ravi Neelipally, a PhD student at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, is investigating organic wheat-soybean double-cropping systems. His research aims to develop management practices that combat misconceptions surrounding organic farming's productivity and profitability.
Researchers have created high-resolution maps showing the potential for biochar to sequester large amounts of carbon, with Bhutan and India leading the way in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that biochar production can remove up to one billion metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere annually.
A recent KAUST study used satellite data to investigate the effects of managed vegetation on surface temperature in arid regions. The results showed that vegetation can reduce daytime temperatures by up to 4 degrees Celsius compared to bare soil, providing an extra cooling effect on hotter days.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.
A new study led by University of Maryland Professor Sujay Kaushal reveals that human activities are making the planet's air, soil, and freshwater increasingly salty. This acceleration of the natural salt cycle poses an 'existential threat' to ecosystems and human health if current trends continue.
Studies using controlled experimental-ecosystem chambers found that even low intensities of light pollution have profound effects on individual species' responses and ecological networks. Artificial light alters the timing of key behaviors in mosquito populations, which may carry wide-scale consequences for disease transmission.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the effects of acid rain on forests and watersheds, a project involving middle school students. The team aims to understand how ecosystems respond to chronic changes in environmental conditions, including the recovery phase after acid rain stops falling.
Research reveals that most types of sea freight carry soil with live bacteria, fungi, worms, seeds, and insects, including regulated biosecurity organisms. The study highlights the need for efficient measures to prevent exotic species establishment through contaminated cargo.
Researchers from Aarhus University found that current inventory methods rely solely on nitrogen content, neglecting degradability and leading to misleading inventories. The study suggests a distinction between mature and immature crop residues could improve accuracy and target mitigation strategies.
A new method developed by Rice University scientists uses a high-temperature electrothermal process to remove multiple pollutants simultaneously, including heavy metals and organic contaminants. The process leaves soil particle size and mineral composition unchanged, while improving water infiltration rate and nutrient availability.
Researchers at Lund University discovered that certain fungi can 'clean up' their surroundings by catching nanoplastics, reducing their toxic effects. This finding highlights the potential for fungi to mitigate soil pollution and provides hope for a more sustainable future.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a cellulose-based thickener to reduce environmental risks associated with liquefied stabilized soil. The thickener prevents bleeding, loss of fine particles, and unwanted settling, while maintaining soil strength.
A new study by the University of Göttingen reveals that oil palms' photosynthesis and response to meteorological and soil conditions play a significant role in N2O production. The research suggests that conventional measurement approaches can underestimate emissions by up to 49%.
Researchers found that soil viruses exhibit dynamic and changing behavior after dry soils are watered, with a diverse range of virus types and minimal turnover. This suggests that viruses may play a more nuanced role in shaping bacterial communities and ecosystems than previously thought.
Soil liquefaction, a destructive phenomenon during earthquakes, is redefined by this groundbreaking study. Liquefaction can now be understood to occur in drained conditions with low seismic-energy density levels, triggered by seismic shaking facilitating interstitial fluid flow within the soil.
Earthworms play a significant role in global food production, contributing approximately 6.5% of grain yield and 2.3% of legumes produced worldwide annually. The research highlights the importance of soil biodiversity and its impact on crop productivity, suggesting that earthworms can increase plant growth by up to 25%.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered two novel yeast species with high oil-forming potential, which could be used to produce alternative biofuels and reduce CO2 emissions. The study also explores the relationship between climate and microbial ecology in Shiga Prefecture.
Research finds soil heat extremes are underestimated and intensifying climate change effects, with a stronger trend in the soil than in the air. Soil moisture plays a crucial role in these extreme temperatures, particularly in forests where trees can reduce evaporation losses.
A study suggests that dispersal plays a major role in microbial succession after a fire. Researchers found that the emerging microbial communities in the soil surface changed with the seasons and plant reappearance, driven by dispersal. Dispersal from air contributed significantly to microbes entering the soil surface.
Re-wetting southern peatlands along the US south Atlantic coast could significantly boost carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new Duke University study reveals that maintaining water levels between 20-30 cm below the local water table can increase CO2 storage by up to 90%.
The study predicts that climate change will lead to the loss of 99% of plant species in the Caatinga biome by 2060, resulting in a decrease in vegetation diversity and complexity. Biotic homogenization is expected to affect approximately 40% of plant assemblages, simplifying their composition due to the loss of rare species.
Researchers suggest transforming arid ecosystems into efficient carbon-capture systems by engineering ideal combinations of plants, soil microbes, and soil type. This approach could result in significant increases in plant and soil carbon sequestration within less than ten years.
Researchers found that ancient Amazonians intentionally created dark earth by modifying the environment to improve soil fertility. This practice allowed for large and complex societies to thrive, with stored carbon remaining in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years.
Researchers found that springtail insects developed a small protein to prevent their cells from freezing more than 400 million years ago, predating other animals. This discovery challenges previous beliefs and highlights the adaptability of these tiny creatures in extreme environments.
A recent study at the University of Bonn found that mixed cover crops grow thinner roots than single-type cover crops, contradicting previous assumptions. The researchers tested oil radish, winter rye, and crimson clover in different combinations and observed varying root growth patterns.
A newly discovered fungus has been found to transform the toxic compound patulin into less harmful byproducts, offering potential solutions for controlling its presence in food products. The fungus, identified as Acremonium sp., was shown to degrade patulin into desoxypatulinic acid and other compounds, which are significantly less toxic.
A recent study reveals Arctic soil methane uptake may be greater than previously believed. Methane consumption increases under dry conditions and with labile carbon substrates' availability. High-latitude warming affects atmospheric methane uptake to a lesser extent than associated large-scale drying.
Researchers from Vienna University of Technology and Leibniz University of Hannover have found the solution to the wild boar paradox. The radioactivity in wild boar meat remains high due to the accumulation of cesium-137 from nuclear weapons tests, which is also present in deer truffles that are particularly favored by wild boars.
A new Stanford-led study shows that adding zinc to farmland soil can help prevent childhood stunting, a condition due to chronic undernutrition that is associated with poor brain development and long-lasting harmful consequences. The researchers found that the presence of zinc in soil helps prevent stunted childhood growth.
Satellite data reveals an increase in nitrogen dioxide levels in remote forest areas of California, attributed to wildfires and soil emissions. The findings suggest a growing concern for air pollution in rural areas, highlighting the need for policy interventions.
Researchers mapped canopy soils to determine where they form and how they support biodiversity. These 'soil-in-miniature' contain abundant plant and animal life, including epiphytes and air plants.