Jordi sardans @en

Men from wealthy countries are getting taller because their diet is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus

Mean male height in countries with a high level of GDP is 23 cm greater than in countries with a low level, a difference that has risen by 1.5 cm over the last 30 years. Thanks to a more varied diet rich in animal products, the annual nitrogen and phosphorus intake of people in wealthy countries is practically twice that of those in poor countries.

Countries Diet Fao @en Food Geu @en Gpd Height Intake Jordi sardans @en Josep peñuelas @en Man Men Nature scientific reports @es @en Nitrogen @en Phosphorus Poberty Richness

The greening of the earth is reaching its limit

A new study led by Josep Peñuelas and published in Nature Ecology and Evolution reveals that CO2 abundance in the atmosphere no longer has a powerful fertilizing effect on vegetation. The greening that has been observed in recent years is slowing and this will cause CO2 levels in the atmosphere to rise, thus increasing temperatures and leading to increasingly severe changes in climate.

Carbon Carbon stocks Climate change Co2 @en Co2 uptake Cop21 @en Geu @en Greening @en Imbalance-p @en Jofre carnicer @en Jordi sardans @en Josep peñuelas @en Marcos fernandez-martinez @en Nature ecology & evolution @en Summer Temperatures @en

Phosphorus, once only a nutrient, has become a contaminant on a global scale

Freshwater ecosystems near densely populated areas have levels of phosphorus which are very high and out of balance with nitrogen levels. This has resulted in altered ecosystem functioning, lower water quality, and has made water conservation more difficult.

Accumulation Contaminant Ecology letters @en Ecosystems Eutrophication Fertilizers Geu @en Jordi sardans @en Josep peñuelas @en Nitrogen @en Nutrients @en Pesticides @en Phosphorus Pollution Water

Scientists identify the 13 most important research challenges to face global change in the Mediterranean region

Scientists consider it key to understand why droughts kill so many trees and the influence of local forest histories on tree mortality. They also warn that we know very little about the joined effects of different disturbances on each ecosystem, and highlight the necessity to plan research projects covering more time and space. 

Anna avila @en Enrique doblas @en Geu @en Javier retana @en Joan llusià @en Jordi martínez vilalta @en Jordi sardans @en Jordi vayreda @en Josep peñuelas @en Lluis brotons @en Maria mayol @en Montes @en Paco lloret @en