Tree Crops Overlooked in Policies Despite Critical Role in Sustainability Goals
Tree crops, including apples, cherries, olives, nuts, coffee, and cacao, account for more than 183 million hectares of agricultural land globally. Despite their significant contribution to food production, livelihoods, and ecological balance, these crops have been largely overlooked in agricultural policymaking. Their potential to address global sustainability challenges, protect biodiversity, and mitigate climate change has been underscored by an international research team.
Importance of Tree Crops
According to findings published in Nature Sustainability, tree crops provide ecological benefits that extend beyond their capacity to generate food. Their complex vegetation, including multiple layers of plants and trees, enhances biodiversity and stabilises ecosystems. Dr. Elena Velado-Alonso from the University of Göttingen stated to phys.org that tree cropping areas often overlap with biodiversity-rich regions, making sustainable management critical for conservation.
Economic and Social Benefits of Tree Crop Cultivation
As reported by phys.org, these agricultural systems, when sustainably managed, contribute to rural employment and poverty alleviation, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Their reliance on manual labour, rather than mechanised methods, supports local economies. Dr. Carlos Martínez-Núñez coordinator of the study and researcher at the Doñana Biological Station highlighted to phys.org the role of tree crops in producing over 1,000 million metric tons of food annually while offering solutions for climate change mitigation and rural development.
Call for Policy Reforms and Support
Researchers have urged policymakers to prioritise tree crops in agricultural agendas by implementing tailored regulations, financial incentives and support systems. The ecological benefits of permanent root systems, prevention of soil erosion, and carbon sequestration have been emphasised as crucial factors in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Reportedly, as per experts, a re-evaluation of agricultural strategies could maximise the environmental and social advantages provided by tree crops, addressing some of the most pressing global challenges.
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Two private lunar landers have been launched into space, marking a milestone in lunar exploration. The landers, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost and Resilience by Japanese company ispace, were carried aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission took place early on January 15, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Falcon 9’s first stage landed successfully on the droneship “Just Read the Instructions,” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, after completing its role in the mission.
Blue Ghost: NASA Payloads and Lunar Research
According to space.com, the mission plan named “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” Blue Ghost is set to operate under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The lander, equipped with ten NASA research and technology payloads, is expected to conduct studies on lunar regolith and other elements of the moon’s environment. It will spend 25 days in Earth orbit for systems checks and partial payload operations before heading to lunar orbit. A landing in Mare Crisium, on the moon’s near side, is anticipated after 16 days in orbit.
Resilience’s Journey and Payload
Resilience, following a separate trajectory, is projected to land in Mare Frigoris after approximately 4.5 months. This energy-efficient path aligns with the lander’s mission to deploy its payload, including a microrover named Tenacious. The rover’s primary task involves collecting regolith samples as part of an agreement with NASA.
Upcoming Lunar Missions
Reports indicate that 2025 will be a significant year for moon exploration. Other planned missions include Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 and Astrobotic’s Griffin Mission One, both contributing to ongoing research into lunar resources like water ice. These missions represent collaborative efforts to advance lunar exploration, utilising innovative technology to achieve scientific goals.
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Science
NASA’s Hubble reveals the blue lurker star in M67, shedding light on stellar mergers and evolution
A rare stellar phenomenon, termed the “blue lurker,” has been observed by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope within the open star cluster M67, located approximately 2,800 light-years away. This star, part of a unique triple-star system, has captivated researchers due to its unusual evolutionary history. Identified for its accelerated spin rate and distinct characteristics, the blue lurker stands out among other stars in the cluster. Its rapid rotation, taking just four days, contrasts starkly with the typical 30-day rotation period of Sun-like stars.
Unveiling the Evolution of the Blue Lurker
According to reports fron an official press release by NASA, the blue lurker’s origins lie in a complex evolutionary process involving gravitational interactions within a triple-star system. Initially, two Sun-like stars formed a binary system while the blue lurker orbited at a distance. Roughly 500 million years ago, the binary stars merged, forming a more massive star. This giant star transferred material to the blue lurker, significantly increasing its rotation speed. Over time, the merged star evolved into a white dwarf, which the blue lurker now orbits.
Hubble’s Observations and Findings
Using ultraviolet spectroscopy, the Hubble Telescope detected the white dwarf companion, which displays a high surface temperature of about 12760 Degree Celsius and a mass of 0.72 solar masses. These measurements align with the hypothesis of a stellar merger in the system. The blue lurker itself exhibits subtle traits that differentiate it from other stars, such as being slightly bluer and brighter due to the mass transfer process.
Scientific Implications and Future Research
Emily Leiner, a researcher at the Illinois Institute of Technology, has emphasised the significance of this discovery, noting its contribution to understanding triple-star system dynamics. Such systems, comprising about 10 percent of Sun-like stars, offer insights into stellar evolution and the creation of exotic end products. While models explaining these processes remain incomplete, this detailed case provides a rare opportunity for astronomers to refine their theories.
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