home.social

#degradation — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #degradation, aggregated by home.social.

  1. Soil degradation - the stuff of life that is called 'dirt'
    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth."

    * The Ig Nobel Prizes: "Franz Bender, Marcel van der Heijden, Atlant Bieri, and Pia Viviani, for burying 1,000 identical pairs of underpants in more than 25 countries and then digging them up after two months."
    "The results: Land use was the most important factor. Underpants decomposed the fastest in private gardens, where soil analysis also revealed the highest levels of organic matter. Lawns showed the least activity of soil organisms, with agricultural fields and meadows ranging in the middle. Temperature and moisture levels also affected organism activity, particularly if conditions were too cold or too dry, as did soil nutrient levels. Overall, the authors found that their “underpants index” provided equally meaningful information about soil conditions as the TBI, including chemical and physical properties, elevation, and moisture." >>
    arstechnica.com/science/2026/0

    * "Soil is a vital resource for plant growth. It hosts a major part of global species diversity and is key for ecosystem functioning and it forms the basis of human civilization. Yet soils are rapidly degrading, threatening food production, biodiversity, and Earth system functioning. This threat is largely unrecognized in broader society, hindering effective steps towards soil protection."

    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth. Although many soils are degraded, societal awareness of soil-related issues is limited."

    "Farmers, responsible for the management of vast areas of land, often receive little education in basic soil principles. The lack of relationship between the public and soil leads to wasteful treatment of global soil resources. Increased awareness and targeted action towards the protection of soils are urgently needed." >>
    nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do
    #biodiversity #degradation #soil #life #dirt #lawns #SoilHealth #farmers #ImperviousSurfaces
    Image: Lawn and impervious surfaces NSW

  2. Soil degradation - the stuff of life that is called 'dirt'
    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth."

    * The Ig Nobel Prizes: "Franz Bender, Marcel van der Heijden, Atlant Bieri, and Pia Viviani, for burying 1,000 identical pairs of underpants in more than 25 countries and then digging them up after two months."
    "The results: Land use was the most important factor. Underpants decomposed the fastest in private gardens, where soil analysis also revealed the highest levels of organic matter. Lawns showed the least activity of soil organisms, with agricultural fields and meadows ranging in the middle. Temperature and moisture levels also affected organism activity, particularly if conditions were too cold or too dry, as did soil nutrient levels. Overall, the authors found that their “underpants index” provided equally meaningful information about soil conditions as the TBI, including chemical and physical properties, elevation, and moisture." >>
    arstechnica.com/science/2026/0

    * "Soil is a vital resource for plant growth. It hosts a major part of global species diversity and is key for ecosystem functioning and it forms the basis of human civilization. Yet soils are rapidly degrading, threatening food production, biodiversity, and Earth system functioning. This threat is largely unrecognized in broader society, hindering effective steps towards soil protection."

    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth. Although many soils are degraded, societal awareness of soil-related issues is limited."

    "Farmers, responsible for the management of vast areas of land, often receive little education in basic soil principles. The lack of relationship between the public and soil leads to wasteful treatment of global soil resources. Increased awareness and targeted action towards the protection of soils are urgently needed." >>
    nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do
    #biodiversity #degradation #soil #life #dirt #lawns #SoilHealth #farmers #ImperviousSurfaces
    Image: Lawn and impervious surfaces NSW

  3. Soil degradation - the stuff of life that is called 'dirt'
    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth."

    * The Ig Nobel Prizes: "Franz Bender, Marcel van der Heijden, Atlant Bieri, and Pia Viviani, for burying 1,000 identical pairs of underpants in more than 25 countries and then digging them up after two months."
    "The results: Land use was the most important factor. Underpants decomposed the fastest in private gardens, where soil analysis also revealed the highest levels of organic matter. Lawns showed the least activity of soil organisms, with agricultural fields and meadows ranging in the middle. Temperature and moisture levels also affected organism activity, particularly if conditions were too cold or too dry, as did soil nutrient levels. Overall, the authors found that their “underpants index” provided equally meaningful information about soil conditions as the TBI, including chemical and physical properties, elevation, and moisture." >>
    arstechnica.com/science/2026/0

    * "Soil is a vital resource for plant growth. It hosts a major part of global species diversity and is key for ecosystem functioning and it forms the basis of human civilization. Yet soils are rapidly degrading, threatening food production, biodiversity, and Earth system functioning. This threat is largely unrecognized in broader society, hindering effective steps towards soil protection."

    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth. Although many soils are degraded, societal awareness of soil-related issues is limited."

    "Farmers, responsible for the management of vast areas of land, often receive little education in basic soil principles. The lack of relationship between the public and soil leads to wasteful treatment of global soil resources. Increased awareness and targeted action towards the protection of soils are urgently needed." >>
    nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do
    #biodiversity #degradation #soil #life #dirt #lawns #SoilHealth #farmers #ImperviousSurfaces
    Image: Lawn and impervious surfaces NSW

  4. Soil degradation - the stuff of life that is called 'dirt'
    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth."

    * The Ig Nobel Prizes: "Franz Bender, Marcel van der Heijden, Atlant Bieri, and Pia Viviani, for burying 1,000 identical pairs of underpants in more than 25 countries and then digging them up after two months."
    "The results: Land use was the most important factor. Underpants decomposed the fastest in private gardens, where soil analysis also revealed the highest levels of organic matter. Lawns showed the least activity of soil organisms, with agricultural fields and meadows ranging in the middle. Temperature and moisture levels also affected organism activity, particularly if conditions were too cold or too dry, as did soil nutrient levels. Overall, the authors found that their “underpants index” provided equally meaningful information about soil conditions as the TBI, including chemical and physical properties, elevation, and moisture." >>
    arstechnica.com/science/2026/0

    * "Soil is a vital resource for plant growth. It hosts a major part of global species diversity and is key for ecosystem functioning and it forms the basis of human civilization. Yet soils are rapidly degrading, threatening food production, biodiversity, and Earth system functioning. This threat is largely unrecognized in broader society, hindering effective steps towards soil protection."

    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth. Although many soils are degraded, societal awareness of soil-related issues is limited."

    "Farmers, responsible for the management of vast areas of land, often receive little education in basic soil principles. The lack of relationship between the public and soil leads to wasteful treatment of global soil resources. Increased awareness and targeted action towards the protection of soils are urgently needed." >>
    nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do
    #biodiversity #degradation #soil #life #dirt #lawns #SoilHealth #farmers #ImperviousSurfaces
    Image: Lawn and impervious surfaces NSW

  5. Soil degradation - the stuff of life that is called 'dirt'
    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth."

    * The Ig Nobel Prizes: "Franz Bender, Marcel van der Heijden, Atlant Bieri, and Pia Viviani, for burying 1,000 identical pairs of underpants in more than 25 countries and then digging them up after two months."
    "The results: Land use was the most important factor. Underpants decomposed the fastest in private gardens, where soil analysis also revealed the highest levels of organic matter. Lawns showed the least activity of soil organisms, with agricultural fields and meadows ranging in the middle. Temperature and moisture levels also affected organism activity, particularly if conditions were too cold or too dry, as did soil nutrient levels. Overall, the authors found that their “underpants index” provided equally meaningful information about soil conditions as the TBI, including chemical and physical properties, elevation, and moisture." >>
    arstechnica.com/science/2026/0

    * "Soil is a vital resource for plant growth. It hosts a major part of global species diversity and is key for ecosystem functioning and it forms the basis of human civilization. Yet soils are rapidly degrading, threatening food production, biodiversity, and Earth system functioning. This threat is largely unrecognized in broader society, hindering effective steps towards soil protection."

    "Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth. Although many soils are degraded, societal awareness of soil-related issues is limited."

    "Farmers, responsible for the management of vast areas of land, often receive little education in basic soil principles. The lack of relationship between the public and soil leads to wasteful treatment of global soil resources. Increased awareness and targeted action towards the protection of soils are urgently needed." >>
    nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do
    #biodiversity #degradation #soil #life #dirt #lawns #SoilHealth #farmers #ImperviousSurfaces
    Image: Lawn and impervious surfaces NSW

  6. "Earth’s forests reached a tipping point. They had grown dense, lush canopies at the start of one of Earth’s most intense episodes of greenhouse warming. But those canopies began to thin."
    "The structure of a forest – and importantly its canopy – controls the amount of light that reaches the forest floor, the temperature, water habitat and amount of carbon the forest can store, making it one of the clearest indicators of ecosystem function."
    "Forest canopies opened, exposing the ground to more sunlight and altering the movement of water through the landscape."
    "As temperatures climbed, heat and drought overwhelmed the benefits of higher carbon dioxide levels. The canopy rapidly thinned as trees died, and it remained much thinner for over 100,000 years."
    "Ancient soils gave way to coarser river deposits".

    Regan E. Dunn writes: theconversation.com/ancient-fo

    #forests #ecology #climateChange #degradation #droughts #deforestation #forest #carbon #carbonSinks #carbonSink #footprint #soil

  7. Refined Modeling of Arctic Circumpolar Building Stock Increases Estimated Mid-Century Permafrost Degradation Damages
    --
    doi.org/10.1029/2026EF008578 <-- shared paper
    --
    thearcticinstitute.org/climate | thearcticinstitute.org/dwindli <-- shared technical articles
    --
    theguardian.com/cities/2016/oc <-- shared media article
    --
    news.grida.no/new-map-shows-ex <-- shared technical article
    --
    H/T @elias Manos
    “Why the increase?
    Our understanding of climate risk is only as good as our understanding of our exposure to hazards. The better we can account for what is at risk, the better we can measure risk in a changing world.
    In this new study [link above], [they] investigate[d] how damage to the building stock across the Arctic, a key impact of permafrost degradation, is underestimated because of underdeveloped exposure information. With National Science Foundation (NSF) supercomputers and 400 TB of Vantor satellite imagery, [they] detected building footprints across the Arctic and classified their use types using deep learning models. Then, using Polar Geospatial Center's ArcticDEM digital surface model, [they] estimated the total floor space of each residential building. This move from 2D to 3D representation of the building stock was the largest contributor to increased building damage.
    Properly estimating this consequence is necessary for understanding the near future of the Arctic economy. Knowing the magnitude of damages is critical for sustaining the communities and livelihoods of more than 5 million people that call the Arctic home. There are also much broader implications. With the Arctic continuing to emerge as a strategic centerpiece in global affairs and the global economy, accurately quantifying the physical shocks to its built environment will allow researchers to more effectively represent the Arctic in global climate economic models. More precise international policymaking will also be enabled by these improvements.
    Ultimately, this research highlights a similar challenge in completely different regions of the world (e.g., Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa) where exposure is constantly evolving alongside rapid population growth and urbanization. Building stock information can quickly become outdated as these changes occur; satellite remote sensing and AI are key players in keeping up with these changes and supporting data-driven disaster risk management…”
    #arctic #circumpolar #permafrost #model #modeling #spatialanalysis #spatiotemporal #GIS #spatial #mapping #melting #degradation #damage #cost #economics #risk #hazard #climaterisk #climatechange #remotesensing #HPC #earthobservation #ArcticDEM #buildingfootprint #LLM #AI #machinelearning #engineering #economy #buildingstock #community #policy #planning #geopolitics #risk #management @UConn Research

  8. A quotation from Horace

    The Rash, the Lazy, Lover, none’s so wild,
    But may be tame, and may be wisely mild,
    If they consult true Vertue’s Rules with care,
    And lend to good advice a patient ear.
     
    [Invidus, iracundus, iners, vinosus, amator,
    nemo adeo ferus est, ut non mitescere possit,
    si modo culturae patientem commodet aurem.]

    Horace (65–8 BC) Roman poet, satirist, soldier, politician [Quintus Horatius Flaccus]
    Epistles [Epistularum, Letters], Book 1, ep. 1 “To Maecenas,” l. 38ff (1.1.38-40) (20 BC) [tr. Creech (1684)]

    More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/horace/78567/

    #quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #horace #advice #anger #brutality #character #coarseness #culture #degradation #drunkenness #envy #faults #gluttony #lust #moralcharacter #norms #reform #rehabilitation #selfcontrol #selfimprovement #sloth #society #temperament #vice #virtue #wisdom #wrath

  9. Small persistent humid forest clearings drive tropical forest biomass losses

    "Tropical forests store about half of the global forest above ground carbon (AGC), yet extensive areas are affected by disturbances, such as deforestation from agricultural expansion and degradation from fires, selective logging, and edge effects...Findings highlight the disproportionate impact of small clearings on tropical carbon losses, suggesting the need to curb land-use changes and protect young and recovering forests."
    >>
    Xu, Y., Ciais, P., Santoro, M. et al. Small persistent humid forest clearings drive tropical forest biomass losses. Nature 649, 375–380 (2026). doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-098 (paywall)
    #Deforestation #Climate #LoggingImpacts #degradation #FCNSW #NSWLogging #PostHarvestBurn #DeliberatelyBurningAForest #EPA #MicroClimate #bushfires #NativeForests #AGC #BookkeepingApproach #ESA #TropicalForests #biodiversity

  10. Improving Forest Loss Mapping In Nepal Using Landtrendr Time-Series And Machine Learning
    --
    doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2025.1 <-- share paper
    --
    “HIGHLIGHTS:
    • ViT-based forest mask, multispectral ensemble LandTrendr and terrain shadow mask.
    • District-level RF/XGBoost model training with expert-weighted validation.
    • Outperformed GFC and REDD + AI benchmarks in accuracy and F1 performance.
    • RF excelled in High Mountains/Himalayas; XGBoost in the lower Mountain regions.
    • NBR contributed the most; snow-impacted forest loss uncertainty was observed..."
    #Forestdisturbance #forest #disturbance #remotesensing #LandTrendr #workflow #timeseries #ViT #RF #XGBoost #GEE #Nepal #ForestNepal #spatial #GIS #mapping #earthobservation #landsat #Himalayas #mountains #alpine #vegetation #AI #multispectral #monitoring #spatialanalysis #spatiotemporal #loss #change #machinelearning #NDR #conservation #planning #policy #mitagion #ecology #Karnali #Bagmati, #Darchula #Siwalik #GlobalForestChange #Degradation

  11. Deforestation and no regeneration

    "If you go down to the forests today, you’re in for a big surprise (mass deforestation) .
    The forest has failed to regenerate after being logged. More and more logged areas no longer support trees where they once did."

    "Forests that have not regenerated after logging represent a clear form of deforestation. Deforestation is a major global issue driving both escalating climate change and biodiversity loss. This is why Australia signed international agreements to both halt deforestation and to prevent biodiversity loss. And yet, this problem is evident in our own backyard."
    >>
    johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10/i

    Deforestation harms profits

    "Global investors managing over $3 trillion in assets called on governments on Monday to stop and reverse deforestation and ecosystem degradation by 2030, in a statement signed ahead of a U.N. climate conference. As investors, we are increasingly concerned about the material financial risks that tropical deforestation and nature loss pose to our portfolios. Deforestation undermines the natural systems that global markets rely on - from climate regulation to food and water security."
    >>
    reuters.com/sustainability/cli
    #biodiversity #deforestation #LoggingImpacts #NSWLogging #loggingIndustry #BellingenLogging #climate #NativeForests #TheGreatKoalaNationalPark #degradation #ClimateBreakdown #Australia #governance #EcosystemDegradation #extractivism

  12. Q: this #economic #system is #fucked

    A: #llama 70b: I understand your frustration. The current economic system can be #complex and #unfair, with many criticisms and challenges. Some of the issues with the current system include:

    * #Incomeinequality (!!! <- #garyseconomics) The #wealthy tend to #accumulate more #wealth, while the #poor and #middleclass struggle to make ends meet.

    * #Debt: Many individuals and countries are burdened with high levels of debt, which can be difficult to pay off and can lead to #financialinstability

    * #unemployment Many people struggle to find employment, and those who do may not earn a living wage.

    * #Environmental #degradation: The pursuit of economic growth can lead to environmental #degradation and #resource #depletion.
    * #Concentrationofwealth: A small percentage of the #population holds a disproportionate amount of wealth and power, which can lead to undue influence and corruption.

    There are many alternative economic systems and theories that aim to address these issues, such as:

    * Socialism: An economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole.
    * Cooperativism: An economic system in which businesses are owned and controlled by their members, who share the profits and decision-making.
    * Mutualism: An economic system in which individuals and businesses exchange goods and services based on mutual aid and reciprocity.
    * Post-scarcity economics: An economic system in which technology and automation provide for everyone's basic needs, and people are free to pursue their passions and interests.

    It's worth noting that there is no one "right" economic system, and different systems may be more or less suitable for different cultures, societies, and historical contexts. However, by exploring alternative economic systems and theories, we can work towards creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable economy for all.

    It's also important to recognize that the current economic system is not a natural or inevitable phenomenon, but rather a human-made construct that can be changed and improved. By working together and advocating for positive change, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.

    Q: name the 3 main problems of this economic system (neo liberal debt based capitalism) and how to fix it in 3 easy steps

    A: A bold question! Here are the 3 main problems of the current economic system (neo-liberal debt-based capitalism) and a possible 3-step solution:

    **Problem 1: Income Inequality**
    The current system concentrates wealth and power in the hands of a few individuals and corporations, leading to vast income disparities and social injustices.

    **Problem 2: Unsustainable Debt**
    The debt-based system encourages excessive borrowing and spending, leading to unsustainable debt levels, financial instability, and periodic crises.

    **Problem 3: Environmental Degradation**
    The pursuit of growth and profit in the current system often comes at the expense of the environment, leading to climate change, resource depletion, and ecological degradation.

    Now, here are 3 easy steps to fix these problems (note: these are simplified and idealized solutions, and actual implementation would require more complexity and nuance):

    **Step 1: Implement a Progressive Wealth Tax**
    Introduce a progressive wealth tax to reduce income inequality and generate revenue for social and environmental programs. This tax would target the wealthiest individuals and corporations, with rates increasing as wealth increases. The revenue generated could be used to fund education, healthcare, and social welfare programs, as well as investments in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.

    **Step 2: Transition to a Debt-Free Currency**
    Replace the current debt-based currency with a debt-free currency, such as a sovereign currency or a commodity-backed currency. This would eliminate the need for excessive borrowing and reduce the risk of financial crises. The new currency could be designed to promote sustainable economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection.

    **Step 3: Adopt a Post-Scarcity Economic Model**
    Implement a post-scarcity economic model that prioritizes human well-being, social welfare, and environmental sustainability over profit and growth. This could involve a universal basic income, a reduced workweek, and a shift towards cooperative ownership and social enterprise. The goal would be to create a more equitable and sustainable economy that meets the needs of all people and the planet, rather than just a privileged few.

    Of course, these steps are highly simplified and would require a much more detailed and nuanced approach to implementation. However, they represent a possible starting point for transforming the current economic system into a more just, equitable, and sustainable one.

    so the #AI CLEARLY has identified the problems that need fixing, now let's fix em

    #economy #wtf #fixthis #fixthisshit #shit #argh #cmon #change #thanks #europe #usa #planet #eu #economists #climatechange