Soil degradation in the European Mediterranean region: Processes, status and consequences

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 805, P. 150106 - 150106

Published: Sept. 4, 2021

Soil, a non-renewable resource, sustains life on Earth by supporting around 95% of global food production and providing ecosystem services such as biomass production, filtration contaminants transfer mass energy between spheres. Unsustainable management practices climate change are threatening the natural capital soils, particularly in Mediterranean region, where increasing population, rapid land-use changes, associated socio-economic activities imposing high pressures region's shallow soils. Despite evidence soil susceptibility to degradation desertification, true extent region is unknown. This paper reviews summarises scientific literature relevant official reports, with aim advance this knowledge synthesizing, mapping, identifying gaps regarding status, causes, consequences processes European region. needed underpinning efforts counteract Three main categories then considered: physical (soil sealing, compaction, erosion), chemical organic matter, contamination, salinisation), biological. We find some be relatively well-documented (e.g. while others, loss biodiversity, remain poorly addressed, limited data availability. suggest establishment continuous, harmonised monitoring system at national regional scale provide comparable datasets chart spatial temporal changes degradation, corresponding economic implications. critical support decision-making fulfilment related sustainable development goals.

Language: Английский

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A better use of fertilizers is needed for global food security and environmental sustainability

Agriculture & Food Security, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: March 23, 2023

Abstract The massive use of fertilizers during the last decades allowed a great increase in global capacity food production. However, years, several studies highlight inefficiency and country asymmetries these that generated environmental problems, soil nutritional imbalances not optimal We have aimed to summarize this information identify disentangle key caveats should be solved. Inadequate management fertilization produces areas with serious nutrient deficits croplands linked insufficient access clearly limit production, are overfertilized consequent problems pollution affecting human health. A more efficient nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) potassium (K) for security while preserving environment is thus needed. Nutrient imbalances, particularly disequilibrium N:P ratio due unbalanced release N P from anthropogenic activities, mainly by crop expanding N-fixing crops continuously increased ratio, another issue resolve. This imbalance has already affected terrestrial aquatic ecosystems, altering their species composition functionality threatening biodiversity. different economic geopolitical traits three main macronutrient must considered. fewest reserves, depending mostly on mineable efforts, most reserves concentrated very few countries (85% Morocco). problem concern current near-future low-income countries. instead readily available well-established relatively low-cost Haber–Bosch synthesis ammonium atmospheric 2 , which increasingly used, even some producing an increasing ratios application K fertilizers. inputs macronutrients reached levels natural fluxes, thereby substantially cycles. case excess especially paradigmatic world, where continental water sources become useless higher nitrate concentrations. N, center dichotomy between environmentally driven such as climate change or eutrophication/pollution. Such role demands new legislation adopting well-known common-sense 4R principle (right source at right rate, time place) would help ensure appropriate resources optimization productivity.

Language: Английский

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Global patterns and drivers of soil total phosphorus concentration

Earth system science data, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(12), P. 5831 - 5846

Published: Dec. 20, 2021

Abstract. Soil represents the largest phosphorus (P) stock in terrestrial ecosystems. Determining amount of soil P is a critical first step identifying sites where ecosystem functioning potentially limited by availability. However, global patterns and predictors total concentration remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we constructed database 5275 globally distributed (semi-)natural soils from 761 published studies. We quantified relative importance 13 soil-forming variables predicting then made further predictions at scale using random forest approach. varied significantly among parent material types, orders, biomes, continents ranged widely 1.4 to 9630.0 (median 430.0 mean 570.0) mg kg−1 across globe. About two-thirds (65 %) variation was accounted for that selected, which organic carbon concentration, material, annual temperature, sand content were most important ones. While predicted concentrations increased with latitude, they largely regions similar latitudes due regional differences topography, and/or climate conditions. stocks (excluding Antarctica) estimated be 26.8 ± 3.1 (mean standard deviation) Pg 62.2 8.9 (1 = 1 × 1015 g) topsoil (0–30 cm) subsoil (30–100 cm), respectively. Our map as well underlying drivers can used constraint Earth system models represent cycle inform quantification Raw datasets maps generated study are available https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14583375 (He et al., 2021).

Language: Английский

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The soil crisis: the need to treat as a global health problem and the pivotal role of microbes in prophylaxis and therapy

Microbial Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 769 - 797

Published: March 10, 2021

Summary Soil provides a multitude of services that are essential to healthily functioning biosphere and continuity the human race, such as feeding growing population sequestration carbon needed counteract global warming. Healthy soil availability is limiting parameter in provision number these services. As result anthropogenic abuses, natural warming‐promoted extreme weather events, Planet Earth currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis deterioration, desertification erosive loss increasingly prejudices it provides. Such pivotal Sustainability Development Goals formulated by United Nations. Immediate coordinated action on scale urgently required slow ultimately reverse healthy soils. Despite ‘dirt‐dust’, non‐vital appearance soil, highly dynamic living entity, whose life overwhelmingly microbial. The microbiota, which constitutes greatest reservoir donor microbial diversity Earth, acts vast bioreactor, mediating myriad chemical reactions turn biogeochemical cycles, recycle wastes, purify water, underpin other Fuelling belowground bioreactor aboveground plant photosynthetic surface captures solar energy, fixes inorganic CO 2 organic carbon, channels fixed energy into soil. In order muster effective response crisis, avoid further restore unhealthy soils, we need new coherent approach, namely deal with soils worldwide patients health care create (i) public system for development policies land use, conservation, restoration, recommendations prophylactic measures, monitoring identification problems (epidemiology), organizing responses, etc., (ii) healthcare charged care: promotion good practices, implementation prophylaxis institution therapies treatment restoration drylands. These systems be national but there also desperate international coordination. To enable effective, evidence‐based strategies will efforts systems, substantial investment wide‐ranging interdisciplinary research disease mandatory. This must lead level understanding soil:biota functionalities underlying key ecosystem enables formulation diagnosis‐prophylaxis‐therapy pathways sustainable protection different types resources climatic zones. conservation‐regenerative‐restorative measures complemented educative‐political‐economic‐legislative framework incentives encouraging knowledge, policy, economic others, laws promote adherence principles restorative management. And: all engaged improving health; everyone has duty ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/why‐soil‐is‐one‐of‐the‐most‐amazing‐things‐on‐eart/p090cf64 ). Creative application microbes, microbiomes biotechnology central successful operation systems.

Language: Английский

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European Soil Data Centre 2.0: Soil data and knowledge in support of the EU policies

European Journal of Soil Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 73(6)

Published: Oct. 13, 2022

Abstract The European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC), hosted by the Commission's Joint Research (JRC), is focal point for soil data, support to policy making and awareness raising Union (EU). Established in 2006 provide harmonised soil‐related information EU Member States, ESDAC currently hosts 88 datasets, 6000 maps, six atlases, 500 scientific publications, a copious amount of material. Through its data repository publishing activity, has licensed over 50,000 datasets during past 15 years; 8500 them 2021 alone. It published 140 monthly newsletters followed more than 12,000 subscribed users, which receive regular updates. This article addresses use, usability, usefulness ESDAC. About 75% users come from academia research community while remaining 25% includes public administration (at EU, national, regional, local level) private sector. In addition, we some insights evaluation how they have been developed. general vision evidence underlying soil‐relevant policies facilitate access relevant research. an integral part recently established Observatory (EUSO), with target even stronger role supporting regional policies. Highlights central place where find wide data. creating knowledge support. website shows high volume traffic; 10,000 user licenses are granted per year. key success: open policy, documentation, operational helpdesk

Language: Английский

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Phosphorus-Solubilizing Microorganisms: A Key to Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 462 - 462

Published: Feb. 15, 2023

Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macronutrients for plant growth, being a highly required resource to improve productive performance several crops, especially in weathered soils. However, large part nutrients applied form fertilizers becomes “inert” medium term and cannot be assimilated by plants. Rationalizing use phosphorus matter extreme importance environmental sustainability socioeconomic development. Therefore, alternatives management this nutrient are needed, P-solubilizing microorganisms an option optimize its allowing exploration less available fractions soils reducing demand phosphate fertilizers. The objective study discuss how can intermediate sustainable agriculture. In review study, we present studies about role as mobilizers soil. We describe plants main problems related unsustainable exploitation natural reserves chemical Mainly highlight constitute fundamental release inert portion nutrient, where mechanisms solubilization mineralization. also discussed benefits that inoculation provides crops well practices using them bioinoculants. inoculants viable future agriculture, mainly because application significantly reduce P and, consequently, reserves. addition, new research must conducted development technologies, prospecting biological products, improvement allow higher efficiency

Language: Английский

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Meta-analysis shows that plant mixtures increase soil phosphorus availability and plant productivity in diverse ecosystems

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 6(8), P. 1112 - 1121

Published: June 27, 2022

Language: Английский

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Hypes, hopes, and the way forward for microalgal biotechnology

Trends in biotechnology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 41(3), P. 452 - 471

Published: Jan. 25, 2023

The urge for food security and sustainability has advanced the field of microalgal biotechnology. Microalgae are microorganisms able to grow using (sun)light, fertilizers, sugars, CO2, seawater. They have high potential as a feedstock food, feed, energy, chemicals. faster higher areal productivity than plant crops, without competing agricultural land with 100% efficiency uptake fertilizers. In comparison bacterial, fungal, yeast single-cell protein production, based on hydrogen or sugar, microalgae show land-use efficiency. New insights provided regarding replacing soy protein, fish oil, palm oil being used cell factories in modern industrial biotechnology produce designer recombinant proteins, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines.

Language: Английский

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Substantial carbon drawdown potential from enhanced rock weathering in the United Kingdom

Nature Geoscience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 15(5), P. 382 - 389

Published: April 25, 2022

Language: Английский

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Improving the phosphorus budget of European agricultural soils

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 853, P. 158706 - 158706

Published: Sept. 11, 2022

Despite phosphorus (P) being crucial for plant nutrition and thus food security, excessive P fertilization harms soil aquatic ecosystems. Accordingly, the European Green Deal derived strategies aim to reduce losses fertilizer consumption in agricultural soils. The objective of this study is calculate a budget, allowing quantification surpluses/deficits Union (EU) UK, considering major inputs (inorganic fertilizers, manure, atmospheric deposition, chemical weathering) outputs (crop production, residues removal, by erosion) period 2011-2019. Land Use/Cover Area frame Survey (LUCAS) topsoil data include measured values almost 22,000 samples both available total P. With advanced machine learning models, we developed maps attributes at 500 m resolution. We estimated crops mean value 83 kg ha-1 with clear distinction between North South. ratio about 1:17. inorganic fertilizers manure contribute equally as (mean 16 ± 2 yr-1 90 % confidence level) soils, high regional variations depending on farming practices, livestock density, cropping systems. came mainly from exportation harvest crop products (97.5 %) and, secondly, erosion. Using sediment distribution model, quantified fluxes river basins sea outlets. In EU an average surplus 0.8 variability countries some variations. annual budget scale showed ample possibility improve management reducing regions (and available) rebalancing those risk fertility depletion.

Language: Английский

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