Category Archives: Soil
Investing in Peatlands – Demonstrating Success
This week ecologists from across the UK, Europe and from as far away as Tibet descended upon Bangor University to consider the major challenges and opportunities facing the restoration and conservation of the globe’s peatlands. The meeting was organised jointly … Continue reading
Soil, an essential natural resource often not recognised
Soils provide several services to humans (e.g. food, feed, carbon storage, decomposing waste) yet their significance is rarely recognised. A recent study in Vadose Zone Journal points at this problem and suggests a framework that could help integrating soils in … Continue reading
The Death of British Farmland?
Yesterday’s meeting of the Cross Party House of Common’s Agroecology Group discussed the potential for soil management practices to influence the future of farming in the UK. The session was chaired by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer and co- hosted … Continue reading
Uplands for Carbon Capture Meeting at Aberystwyth University
To be held on 25th May 2012 UK uplands store 5.1 billion tonnes of carbon in their soils. Can we use management to support the ecosystem services of uplands and their existing carbon stocks – to benefit for our long-term … Continue reading
Challenges for Scotland’s Biodiversity: From the Soils to the Skies
Interested in discussing the challenges facing Scotland’s biodiversity to 2020 and helping to inform the development of Scotland’s draft Biodiversity Strategy? Come along to a meeting in Edinburgh on 8th – 9th March 2012. BES members can attend for FREE … Continue reading
‘Social capital’ reaps benefits for sustainable agriculture
Professor Jules Pretty gave a fascinating and wide-ranging insight into the sustainable intensification of agriculture on Tuesday afternoon at the BES Annual Meeting; this year’s BES Lecture. Prof. Pretty suggested that there was an ‘emerging consensus’ around the necessity of … Continue reading
Climate smart farming at the Royal Society
The 2008 Climate Change Act commits the UK to 80% statutory greenhouse gases emissions (GHG) reduction by 2050. The agricultural industry is responsible for approximately 25%, 50%, and 80% of global anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and … Continue reading
Studies at Odds Over Soil Carbon
A new study, the results of which have been released as part of the ongoing analysis of data collected as part of the 2007 Countryside Survey, is at odds with a previous accepted analysis of carbon released from soil in … Continue reading
Yellow Wagtail Populations Hit By Poor Soil Quality
Recent research has shown that the decline in yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava flavissima) populations may be partly attributed to reduced soil penetrability. Yellow wagtail populations declined by 65% between 1972 and 2006, resulting in the species being placed on the … Continue reading
UK Farming Dependent on Soil Health
Speaking on the Today Programme, Professor Dick Godwin spoke of the overemphasis on environmental issues in farming, rather than growing food for the people. The Royal Agricultural Society of England released a report today warning that England’s soils are being … Continue reading