In soils the right balance of fungi and bacteria is very important to maintain a healthy soil for both forests as well as agricultural lands. Due to intensive farming practices, we see that the fungal diversity and the population in soils have come down drastically.
In England, conservationists are pioneering an innovative ecosystem restoration project by transferring fungi-rich soil from ancient woodlands to newly created forests.
Led by Forestry England, the initiative involves transplanting soil cores containing up to 300 species of fungi from Hagg Wood to York Community Woodland, a new 78-hectare site. These fungi, particularly mycorrhizal fungi, form symbiotic relationships with trees, enhancing their growth, nutrient uptake, and resilience to disease and extreme weather. However, these crucial organisms are often absent in newly established woodlands due to soil degradation.
The experiment, to be monitored over the next decade, aims to demonstrate how fungi translocation can restore soil health and biodiversity. If successful, it could serve as a global model for combating soil degradation, a growing crisis highlighted by the UN's World Soil Day.
A recent UN-backed study warns that land degradation is threatening Earth's ability to sustain humanity, with over 15 million square kilometers already affected and the problem worsening each year. Soil erosion alone could lead to a 10% drop in global crop production by 2050, exacerbating risks of malnutrition and famine amid a rising global population.
Experts like environmental campaigner Anand Ethirajalu stress that restoring the balance of fungi and bacteria in soils is vital not only for forests but also for agriculture and human health.
The project underscores the urgent need to value and restore soil ecosystems as a cornerstone of climate resilience, biodiversity, and food security.
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The UK has become the latest country to annouce a social media ban for children under 16. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on Monday, adding that he will impose restrictions on gaming and livestreaming platforms as well.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to publish the UK government's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan ahead of next month's NATO summit in Ankara, following growing pressure over the UK's military spending commitments.
As Britain's sanctions on three Georgia-registered companies made headlines on 26 May, the Georgian side of the story was already complicated. The National Bank of Georgia had flagged Arvix LLC, Rapira Group LLC and Aifory LLC to law enforcement back in September 2025.
Britain and Poland are set to sign a new defence and security treaty on Wednesday (27 May), deepening cooperation between the two NATO allies as European governments respond to what they describe as a growing range of hostile threats across the continent.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Iran's nuclear program to further negotiations.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
France’s parliament has formally recognised state responsibility for the use of the toxic pesticide chlordecone in Martinique and Guadeloupe, marking a significant step in addressing decades of environmental contamination and public health concerns.
Financial markets are significantly underestimating the economic impact of biodiversity loss, potentially leaving countries exposed to sovereign debt crises and rising borrowing costs, according to new research published on Friday.
Wildlife researchers have identified dozens of previously unknown insect species during an expedition to Angola’s remote Lisima Plateau, a conservation group announced on Wednesday.
Global weather forecasters predict a strong El Niño will develop in the second half of 2026, bringing hotter, drier conditions to much of Asia while increasing rainfall in parts of North and South America.
Google has asked U.S. regulators for permission to release up to 32 million sterilised mosquitoes in California and Florida as part of its experimental “Debug” programme aimed at reducing populations of disease-carrying insects.
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