News

Fig trees convert atmospheric CO₂ to stone

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:38:52 GMT

Some fig trees can convert surprisingly large amounts of carbon dioxide into calcium carbonate, ensuring that the carbon remains in the soil long after the tree has died. This means that fig trees planted for forestry or their fruit could offer additional climate benefits through this carbon-sequestration process.

«Ein Wald mit Fussbodenheizung»

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 22:00:00 GMT

In einem gross angelegten Experiment in der Sierra Nevada hat ein Team um Michael Schmidt die Auswirkungen der Klimaerwämung auf die Böden und ihre Funktion als Speicher für Kohlendioxid untersucht. In der Sendung «alle wetter!» erläutert er, was die Resultate für die Strategien im Kampf gegen die globale Erwärmung bedeuten.

Microorganisms are key to storing carbon in soils

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 22:00:00 GMT

Microorganisms play a key role in soil carbon storage, as shown by an international collaborative study involving researchers from the Department of Geography. Microbial carbon use efficiency is at least four times more influential than other biological or environmental factors when it comes to global soil carbon storage and distribution. The results have implications for improving soil health and mitigating climate change.

Improving soil health in tropical regions

Communications — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 23:00:00 GMT

Healthy soils are key to maintaining ecosystem services provided by agriculture. New organic practices can help, but require incorporating traditional knowledge and the needs of local farmers.

Black mystery in the Amazon River

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 22:00:00 GMT

Black carbon produced by the burning of fuels and biomass is the most stable carbon compound in nature, yet its path from land to the deep ocean remains mysterious. An international research team under the lead of the Department of Geography characterized the black carbon exported by the Amazon River.