Science Update: Ancient Amazonian Soils — A Boon for the Future?

Bob Hirshon

ST. LOUIS — Evidence is mounting that the Amazon once supported a dense human population. But with soil quality so low, how did those early Amazonians survive? Researchers at the AAAS Annual Meeting on Saturday discussed how these rich, black soils — terra preta — hold promise for increasing soil fertility in the tropics worldwide and for helping abate global warming.

Listen to a 60-second Science Update report here.

Science Update, hosted by Bob Hirshon, is a AAAS radio show that airs on more than 50 stations nationwide. It also airs often on “America in the Morning,” a show featured on Westwood One, the largest U.S. radio network.

Read All About It! For more AAAS news from the 2006 Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Mo., click here.

The Science Update staff produces one 60-second news or feature program five days a week, every week of the year. It’s a creative challenge to produce something informative, compelling and entertaining so frequently, and on such a tight canvas, but the Science Update program has won many awards since its inception in 1988.

In addition to Hirshon, the staff includes producers Corinna Wu and Chelsea Wald and writer Justin Warner.

Want to hear more? Click here to learn about the weekly Science Update podcast.

 

18 February 2006