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field. © INRA

News

12 Apr 2018

Agriculture: using cover crops to mitigate the effects of climate change

Agricultural systems

In Europe, around 20% of land surface area is covered by agricultural fields. During fallow periods, soils often remain bare. Researchers from the National Centre of Meteorological Research (CNRM, Météo-France/CNRS/University of Toulouse) and the Centre for the Study of the Biosphere from Space (CESBIO, University of Toulouse III—Paul Sabatier/ CNRS/CNES/IRD/INRA) recently published a study in a special issue of Environmental Research Letters dedicated to climate change. In it, they quantify how cover crops could be used during fallow periods to mitigate the effects of climate change. Simulations suggest this strategy could compensate for up to 7% of the greenhouse gas emissions released by the agricultural industry in Europe.

A young herdsman tending his herd in a pasture in Nepal’s Manaslu region. © INRA, MEURET Michel

Press release

06 Apr 2018

Environment and economic growth: what’s become of Nepal’s forests?

Economics and social sciences

Nepal is a hilly and mountainous country where a quarter of the land is covered by forest, an essential source of energy for rural inhabitants. Researchers from INRA and their colleagues showed that firewood collection remained stable between 2003 and 2010 despite rural households’ rising living standards and energy needs. This paradox is explained by a decline in farm-based activities, which reduces pressure on forest resources.

Instruments of Land Policy - Dealing with Scarcity of Land. Edited by Jean-David Gerber, Thomas Hartmann, Andreas Hengstermann. Routledge (UK), 300 pages.
ISBN: 9781138201514 (Print). © Routledge

Just published

14 Sep 2017

Instruments of Land Policy - Dealing with Scarcity of Land

Economics and social sciences

This book is part of the Urban Planning and Environment series.

Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax). © Tours University, Eric Darrouzet

Press release

15 Feb 2017

Alien species on the rise worldwide

Mechanisms of living organisms

The increase in numbers of alien species does not show any sign of saturation at a global level, an international team of 45 researchers led by scientists from Senckenberg, Germany, and University of Vienna, Austria, has discovered.

Honeybee on a peach blossom. © INRA, Nicolas Morison

Press release

10 Feb 2017

Winter colony survival: flowering catch crops and natural wooded habitats improve honeybee health

Agroecology

A study that brought together INRA, ACTA and ITSAP-Institute de l’abeille investigated the physiological mechanisms involved in overwintering survival in honeybees. Researchers demonstrated that vitellogenin, a protein with antioxidant properties, is associated with a 30% increase in the probability of overwintering survival.

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