Research Spotlights

Given its large environmental footprint, cotton production must become more sustainable. This review explores approaches that are regenerative (improving ecosystem health and function) and agroforestry-based (integrating trees), assessing their requirements, design, and impact in the Mediterranean.

Europe hosts many world heritage sites. As environmental pressures rise under climate change, there is a need to systematically assess their vulnerability and risk. This study does this, exploring site distribution and the risks (erosion, corrosion, drought) facing sites in various climate futures.

Rooftop greening can help cool and regulate urban microclimates. Which factors influence its efficacy? This study explores four cities in China, finding that interventions prioritising shade and greater green coverage brought lower rooftop temperatures. Effectiveness varied notably across climates.

As forests are central to many ecosystem services, tradeoffs arise when shaping forest policy. This study defines and explores the worldviews of key groups in EU forest policymaking from a cultural perspective, assessing the perceived problems, preferred solutions and responsibilities of each group.

Microplastics threaten marine ecosystems. This study assessed the bacterial communities attached to microplastic pollution around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. It finds that marine bacteria can efficiently degrade and use microplastics for energy – relevant for plastic waste management.

The concept of soil security (preventing soil degradation) is vital for policymakers. This research proposes nine core principles to guide the development of soil legislation and help ensure sustainable land management.

Microplastics are affecting pesticide breakdown, reducing soil pH and reducing bacteria biodiversity in some soils. This poses ecological risks and requires policies to prevent and control farmland pollution.

Good ponds bring huge increases in biodiversity, but they also suffer impacts and losses from agriculture and urban development. This study compares the results of creating new ponds versus restoring old ones, to combat declines in freshwater wildlife.

Some biological-based fertilisers can be less environmentally harmful alternatives to synthetic fossil-fuel-derived mineral fertilisers. Commercial fisheries are one such source. Some of these can effectively replace certain mineral nitrogen fertilisers, maintain productivity and soil health.