The Curve is a series charting the mysterious rise of methane in our atmosphere and the quest to find its source.
agriculture
Ice Towers May Hold Promise—and Water—for Some Cold, Dry Places
A new study that cues into the formation of ice cones for storing glacial meltwater reveals how the structures can be built more efficiently and which climatic conditions work best.
Traditional Fertilizers Beat Out Industrial Chemicals in Soil Health Test
New research in western India found that fertilizer based on Traditional Ecological Knowledge made soil more fertile in a head-to-head test with industrial fertilizers.
The Galápagos Islands: The Ultimate Outdoor Soil Science Laboratory
A new study has spurred further research into the impacts of soil formation on modern-day problems like heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils.
The Nutrient-Rich Legacy in the Amazon’s Dark Earths
Fertile terra preta soils were created through centuries of carefully managed land use. Scientists are taking cues from these soils to better sequester carbon and improve soil for agriculture.
Coastal Aquaculture Can Reduce Nutrient Transport
High-resolution simulations of China’s Sanggou Bay show that suspended aquaculture alters hydrodynamics and weakens transport of nutrients to the area from offshore bottom water.
Pollination Plummeted 31% in Polluted Fields
Air pollution levels below “safe” limits (and lower than those commonly found in cities) led to a significant decrease in pollination by 10 common insects.
Satellite and on-the-Ground Data Help Monitor Groundwater in India
Village volunteers use remote sensing and manual measurement to help farmers use groundwater more efficiently.
The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring (but Later)
Mismatch between the pace of climate change and crop phenology may signal a new challenge for climate change adaptation.
Modeling Mulch to Understand Agricultural Soil
A new model helps shed light on residue mulch, an important regulator of surface soil conditions.
