http://www.scidev.net/ Latest news on desert science and the developing world. en http://rss.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/ Biodiversity influences how well a dryland ecosystem functions, and therefore how it will respond to climate change, say scientists.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/preserving-biodiversity-protects-drylands-.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceMon, 16 Jan 2012 16:51:44 GMTPakistan should turn to agroforestry to stem its shrinking forest cover, say experts.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/agroforestry-can-fix-pakistan-s-depleting-tree-cover.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceFri, 16 Dec 2011 10:43:29 GMTScientists may have discovered a way of unlocking Egypt's huge underwater aquifer, but critics question the feasibility of the project.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/underground-oasis-may-boost-egypt-s-development.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceThu, 10 Nov 2011 18:02:19 GMTAfrican and Latin American scientists are calling for drylands, which are home to two billion people, to be a key part of the Rio+20 agenda.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/scientists-unite-to-put-drylands-on-rio-20-agenda.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceMon, 07 Nov 2011 18:03:41 GMTAn East African ICT scheme that channels agricultural information to villages has won a US$1 million award.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/us-1-million-for-east-african-ict-project.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceWed, 14 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMTA collaboration between researchers and breweries to boost sorghum production in East Africa could help farmers cope with drought.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/breweries-persuade-drought-hit-farmers-to-switch-crops.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceMon, 05 Sep 2011 17:56:47 GMTKenyan farmers who lost cattle in the Horn of Africa drought may be compensated through an insurance scheme.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/kenyan-farmers-may-soon-receive-first-drought-payout-1.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceMon, 15 Aug 2011 17:27:33 GMTSenegal has started its fourth year of planting, following the signing of an MoU to disseminate strategies between countries.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/-green-wall-project-gathers-pace-in-senegal.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceFri, 12 Aug 2011 17:15:53 GMTAmbitious plans for a 'desert development corridor' in Egypt could provide a concrete example of the social value of science, says Athar Osama.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/opinions/islam-analysis-give-science-a-social-contract-1.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceThu, 11 Aug 2011 18:01:20 GMTThe current drought in northern Kenya has deep roots in the current practices of pastoralists that need to be addressed, says conservationist David Western.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/opinions/better-grazing-practices-hold-key-to-kenyan-droughts.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceFri, 05 Aug 2011 14:25:31 GMTPakistan is considering several water management techniques to head off a water crisis caused by wastage and warming.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/pakistan-seeks-tech-fix-for-impending-water-crisis.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceMon, 01 Aug 2011 08:23:26 GMTA new satellite observation centre will provide useful information to Namibian farmers.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/namibia-s-satellite-centre-to-warn-of-disaster-threats.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceWed, 27 Jul 2011 16:56:24 GMTDespite the publicity droughts get, there is still a lack of data to monitor and model the risks they pose worldwide, says a UN report.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/lack-of-data-on-droughts-hampers-risk-reduction-efforts.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceMon, 04 Jul 2011 17:44:53 GMTThe Global Dry Land Alliance, initiated by Qatar, will foster research collaboration among arid nations.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/dryland-regions-unite-to-combat-food-security-.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceThu, 30 Jun 2011 17:30:22 GMTThe Desertec Industrial Initiative should make more effort to consult locals and boost science in the region, say critics.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/middle-east-desert-solar-plan-criticised.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceFri, 20 May 2011 17:50:09 GMTPlanting trees in dryland regions can negatively impact biodiversity, and policies must promote the practice on a smaller scale.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/policy-briefs/promoting-small-scale-planting-of-trees-in-dryland-areas-1.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceMon, 18 Apr 2011 16:53:36 GMTMalaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes depend on natural sugars for survival — and this could be exploited to trap them.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/-toxic-sugar-bait-could-help-control-malaria.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceThu, 31 Mar 2011 17:41:58 GMTThe agave plant genus, famous for its use in tequila and fibre production, could be a promising source of biofuel for arid regions, say experts.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/tequila-plant-holds-promise-as-arid-biofuel-source.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceMon, 07 Mar 2011 17:41:51 GMTEgypt's scientists are lamenting the loss of genetic material during the countrywide protests last month.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/looting-in-egypt-damages-key-seed-collections.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceWed, 23 Feb 2011 17:46:34 GMTJordan will use evaporated seawater to grow crops in the desert.http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/desert-science/news/seawater-greenhouse-plan-for-jordan-.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_agricultureandenvironment_desertscienceWed, 09 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