07:19
Five arrested in UK over suspected terror plot
Five men have been arrested in the UK, including four Iranian nationals, over an alleged terrorist plot.
Forestry England is testing a nature restoration method in North Yorkshire
Reuters
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.
09:47
Prince Harry ‘devastated’ after losing UK security appeal
Britain’s Prince Harry says he is deeply disappointed after a UK court upheld the decision to deny him full police protection.
13:00
Iran
French, British, and German political directors to meet with Iran in Rome on Friday
Political directors from France, Britain, and Germany are scheduled to meet with Iranian officials in Rome on Friday, according to two diplomatic sources who confirmed the meeting to Reuters.
15:24
Aid Commitment
EU and Britain boost aid for Sudan at London conference
The EU and UK pledged hundreds of millions in new aid for Sudan on Tuesday, as international leaders gathered in London to address the worsening humanitarian crisis and mark two years since the outbreak of the devastating conflict.
07:13
UK seizes control of steel plant from Chinese owners
The UK government has taken control of British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant in a bid to save the country’s last major steelmaking site.
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