17 News & Press Releases found
Science for Environment Policy - European Commission DG Environment News Alert Service News
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Composting green waste saves as much CO2 as energy recovery
Recycling green waste as compost could match the environmental benefits of converting it into renewable energy, in terms of CO2 savings, according to new German research. It suggests that the two forms of waste management should be seen as ...
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Solar-powered irrigation improves food security in West Africa
Solar-powered irrigation that delivers water directly to plant roots could help ensure food security in Africa, say researchers. Their study in the Sudano-Sahel region of West Africa indicated that this irrigation method could increase both ...
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Mixed crop-livestock farming could help adaptation in Africa
According to new research, African farms with both crops and livestock could be more resilient to climate change than farms that only grow crops. The research suggests that policy makers should support farmers in making the switch to integrated ...
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Nutrient levels on the decline in many Estonian rivers
A new study has analysed the impact of industrial and agricultural changes on nutrients in Estonian rivers. The results indicated that there were significant reductions in nitrogen in one third of the sites, significant reductions in phosphorus in a ...
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Reducing fish discards: recommendations for successful pilot projects
New research has shed light on the factors needed to successfully implement pilot projects designed to reduce the dumping of unwanted fish by fishermen. The analysis of 15 European projects highlights the importance of involving the fishing industry ...
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What are the impacts of fish-farming on marine ecosystems?
New EU-supported research in the Mediterranean Sea has assessed the impact of fish-farming on seafloor ecosystems. Results indicate that impacts are only apparent in habitats with no vegetation, but the researchers suggest that habitats with ...
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Planting forests at high latitudes can have a cooling effect
A new study based on high-resolution satellite observations of forests suggests the `albedo`, or reflectivity, of a forest needs to be carefully considered in afforestation schemes designed to mitigate climate change, i.e. carbon balance alone is ...
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Less agricultural phosphorus could be key to cleaner Baltic Sea
Reducing the amount of phosphorus used in agriculture could go a long way in meeting the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)1 targets. A Swedish evaluation of measures for reducing agricultural phosphorus suggest phosphorus inputs to the sea could be cut ...
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Forest rehabilitation: benefits for carbon and biodiversity banking
According to researchers, opportunities for carbon sequestration and benefits for biodiversity offered by forest rehabilitation schemes mean they should be given greater value as a tool for carbon offsetting. A new study demonstrates the value of ...
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Irrigation threatening steppe birds in Mediterranean wetlands
Intensive irrigation of agricultural land in a Mediterranean water basin is altering the habitats of associated wetlands and changing the balance of the bird population living there, according to a recent study. The Mar Menor coastal lagoon is ...
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Crop residues provide valuable protection for soil
Removing wheat and sorghum crop residue after harvest, such as stalks, stubble and leaves, may cause more harm than good according to new research. Results indicate that removing residue can increase nutrient and sediment levels in water runoff, and ...
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New crop sprayer is kinder on the environment
An EU project has developed a new crop spray system for orchards that is precise, efficient and safer for the environment. It sprays pesticides according to the needs of the crop and local environment, and can reduce spray drift by up to 80 per ...
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Flexible management better for coexistence of GM and non-GM crops
Flexible measures, such as pollen barriers, for regulating the cultivation of GM and non-GM crops in the same landscape are more likely to encourage the adoption of GM technology by farmers than rigid measures, such as isolation distances, according ...
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Phosphorus-rich soils support larger invertebrates
In a recent study, researchers have defined the relationship between soil conditions and nutrients with the health of soil ecosystems. The results suggest that organic grassland, rich in phosphorus, is supportive of large populations of bigger ...
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Wild insects could take over the pollinating role of honeybees
Scientists have identified several wild insects that could undertake the crop pollination function of honeybees. By comparing a range of pollinating insects they found three wild species that appear to be as efficient as the honeybee in pollination ...
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Better water management could improve global crop production
A new global study is the first to quantify the potential of water management strategies to increase crop production. It indicates that a combination of harvesting run-off water and reducing evaporation from soil could increase global crop ...
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International crop breeding programme needed for African farming
Climate change poses a large threat to African agriculture, but there is little research on how to respond. A recent study indicates that traditional adaptation methods are not enough and international collaboration is needed in `planned adaptation` ...