Tag

Soil Fertility

All articles tagged with #soil fertility

science-and-environment2 years ago

Uncovering Ancient Amazonian Cities: The Secrets of the 'Dark Earth'

Scientists are uncovering the secrets of the Amazon rainforest through the discovery of "Amazonian dark earth" (ADE), a highly fertile soil layer created by ancient indigenous communities. A recent expedition in northwest Bolivia revealed the widespread presence of ADE, which contains ancient artifacts and serves as a potent carbon sink. Businesses are now looking to replicate the methods of indigenous people to produce biochar, a substance that improves soil fertility and helps combat climate change. This ancient knowledge holds valuable lessons for sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in the face of future challenges.

environment2 years ago

Llama Poop: A Soil Savior Amid Glacial Meltdown

Llamas grazing in areas left barren by glacial melt in the Andes have been found to significantly improve soil fertility and increase plant growth. Over a three-year study, llamas helped introduce four new plant species and increased overall plant cover by 57%. Llama poop, rich in nutrients like carbon and nitrogen, acts as a natural fertilizer and contains seeds from plants the animals have grazed on. This practice, which has been carried out by indigenous farmers for centuries, could help mitigate the destructive effects of climate change-induced deglaciation while benefiting the local economy in Peru.

science-and-environment2 years ago

The Secrets of Ancient Amazonian Dark Earth Revealed

A study led by researchers at MIT, the University of Florida, and in Brazil has found evidence that ancient Amazonians intentionally created fertile "dark earth" to improve soil fertility and sustain large societies. The dark earth, rich in carbon, was created through intentional practices such as composting and spreading organic waste. The study suggests that modern sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation efforts can draw inspiration from these ancient practices to sequester carbon in soil.