Articles tagged with Cropland
A new study published in Nature found that hunter-gatherers in Belgium and the Netherlands adopted farming thousands of years later than elsewhere in Europe. The research suggests that migrant women played a pivotal role in introducing farming practices, bringing their knowledge and genes to the local communities.
Climate change is altering the global nitrogen cycle, affecting food security, water quality, and biodiversity. The review finds that elevated CO2 boosts plant growth but dilutes protein quality, while rising temperatures reduce yields and increase nitrogen losses.
A new study of 1960s maps created by young people has provided important insights into the timing and extent of habitat losses in England and Wales. The analysis revealed a significant decline in semi-natural habitats, including rough grassland, heath, and wetland, which have lost 42% of their original area over the past 90 years.
The Philippines faces a widening rice gap due to stagnant farms, with national output remaining largely unchanged since 2017. Regionally tailored strategies are needed to boost production and reduce dependence on imported grain.
Researchers developed a tool to measure food production's impact on species survival, finding that eating beef and lamb has the biggest effect on extinctions. Switching to vegetarian diets could halve biodiversity impact in the UK.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that China's cropland soils have stabilized in pH levels since 2013, linked to agricultural policy reforms. However, recovery has been slow and uneven across different types of farmland, with paddy fields showing signs of improvement but dryland soils remaining acidic.
The UK food system is under pressure due to climate change, global shocks, and poor diets. A new report calls for radical transformation in three key areas: more resilient farming, smarter land use, and healthier diets.
Farmers in Middle East prioritized viticulture over olive growing due to irrigation, which maintained grape cultivation. This suggests that grapes and wine held cultural and economic value.
Researchers found genetic adaptations in response to micronutrient shortages and surpluses, particularly in regions with iodine-poor soils. The study provides insights into the impact of micronutrient availability on human evolution, highlighting potential vulnerabilities to deficiencies as climate change affects soil nutrient levels.
Research suggests that black-tailed prairie dogs can reduce wildfire behavior by altering landscape features and promoting the growth of fire-resistant vegetation. By incorporating prairie dog activity into fire behavior models, land managers could develop more effective strategies for prevention and mitigation.
The third edition of Compendium of Cotton Diseases and Pests features significant updates and new content, including expanded focus on entomology and emerging diseases. Hundreds of new images enhance identification and diagnosis, making it a comprehensive guide for plant pathologists, agronomists, and growers.
Key findings include halting food waste by 75% and restoring half of degraded lands by 2050; the authors recommend shifting agricultural subsidies towards sustainable smallholder farms and implementing land-based taxes or tariffs to reward sustainable low-impact farming.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
Researchers discovered a massive 330-acre ancient agricultural site in Michigan, featuring raised field systems and clustered garden beds. The site, dating back to the 10th century, reveals intensive farming practices by ancestral Native Americans, challenging previous estimates.
A new digital tool provides free satellite monitoring and analysis of vegetation and crop health across Kansas and the nation. The Sentinel GreenReport Plus combines satellite imagery with climate datasets to provide users with insights into vegetation greenness, changes in land cover over time, and climate abnormalities.
A new study by University College London researchers suggests that intensifying existing farmland can degrade local biodiversity more than expanding agricultural land, depending on factors like region and crop type. The study highlights the need for sustainable intensification techniques to mitigate the impact of farming on the environ...
Biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, providing both energy and negative emissions. Excluding biomass from the European energy system would increase costs by 169 billion Euros per year.
A study by Eawag and the University of Zurich found that human impacts on biodiversity are widespread and severe, with average species declines of 20% across all biogeographic regions. The composition of species communities is also shifting, with environmental pollution and habitat changes having a particularly negative impact.
The study projects a significant increase in wetland and forest areas in China, with potential losses of cropland and shifts in land use patterns. Enhanced protection and management are needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on food security.
A new study by Purdue University reveals that improved crop varieties led to global benefits for the environment and food system sustainability. The analysis found that reduced agricultural land use saved 1,043 animal and plant species, with most avoided losses located in biodiversity hot spots.
Farmers in African mountains reported increased temperatures, reduced fog, and changes in rainfall patterns, leading to lower crop yields, livestock production, and human health concerns.
A new Princeton study provides detailed insights into the impact of cropland abandonment on biodiversity. The research reveals that most bird and mammal species gain habitat due to crop abandonment, but even more would have benefited if recultivation occurred.
A new legal requirement for developers to demonstrate a biodiversity boost in planning applications may not be effective in improving bird and butterfly populations. Despite this, researchers suggest that the metric can capture plant biodiversity well, but needs improvement to reflect ecosystem intricacies.
A new study found that removing hedgerows and field margins decreases the diversity and abundance of arthropods, which can lead to reduced natural pest control. The research suggests that using flowering plants in field margins and implementing agri-environmental measures can be effective ways to increase farmland biodiversity.
Decarbonizing China's Southern Power Grid could lead to ecological and sociological trade-offs, including reducing cropland in favor of solar and wind power, impacting river basins like the Salween and Mekong. Building dams for hydropower production would also negatively affect ecosystems and fisheries.
Research found that organic farming significantly affects pesticide use in neighboring fields, with benefits for both organic and conventional farmers. Clustering organic fields together can provide the most benefits by concentrating pest control benefits to organics and reducing costs to conventional fields.
Researchers created an AI-enabled model to help mitigate global ammonia emissions from agriculture. By optimizing fertilizer management, the model can effectively reduce emissions by up to 38%, with Asia having the highest potential for reduction.
Research reveals that aquifer depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to continue meeting irrigation demands. As groundwater dwindles, agricultural losses escalate, especially for corn and soybean yields.
A UC Irvine-led team has developed a method to produce farm-free food by synthesizing dietary fats through chemical and biological processes. This approach could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve natural ecosystems.
Researchers at UC Davis and Cornell University found that crushed rock can store carbon dioxide in soils for short time scales, equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road every year. The study tested this technology in a dry climate and showed promising results, suggesting a new way to verify carbon removal via enhanced weathering.
Researchers found that exposure to the aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal reduces death-feigning duration in red flour beetles, allowing them to save time and increase survival chances. Sex-related differences in death feigning behavior were also observed, with males exhibiting longer durations.
Researchers found that globally abandoned cropland could feed up to 476 million people per year if recultivated and help pull planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through reforestation. The study highlights the potential of this often-neglected resource in supporting both food security and climate change mitigation.
Researchers from Okayama University used CNNs to estimate rice yield from pre-harvest photographs, achieving accuracy of 68-69%. The model highlighted the importance of panicles in yield estimation and showed promise for monitoring rice productivity at regional scales.
A Dartmouth-led study suggests that expanded irrigation of corn and soybeans in the US could outweigh costs by mid-century. The research found that certain regions, such as North Dakota and Michigan, would benefit from irrigation due to increasing drought conditions.
Researchers developed a new method to estimate soil organic carbon stocks in agricultural fields, reducing the number of samples needed by 30%. The approach uses doubly balanced sampling and accounts for auxiliary information available in elevation maps, satellite images, and previous surveys. By improving soil sampling efficiency, thi...
Researchers developed a novel method combining satellite imagery and bioacoustic data to monitor bird species on cropfields, finding larger habitat areas and greater variety in texture are associated with more bird species overall. However, grassland birds relying solely on the habitat for their life cycle seem to benefit less.
A decade-long study reveals that warmer temperatures lead to significant loss of organic compounds in deep forest soils, affecting carbon sequestration. This finding has implications for natural carbon sinks and soil management practices.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma predict that global flash droughts will increase globally, with the largest increases projected across North America and Europe. The study finds that flash drought risk over cropland is expected to increase by 1.5 times in North America and 1.7 times in Europe by 2100.
The US has lost 57.6 billion tons of topsoil due to farming practices, but new research suggests no-till methods can drastically reduce erosion and extend fertility for centuries. No-till farming, currently practiced on 40% of Midwest cropland acres, can modelled to slow down soil loss.
A new study by the University of Göttingen found that alley-cropping agroforestry significantly improves ecosystem functions, including carbon sequestration, habitat creation, and soil protection. In contrast, open grassland systems did not show significant changes in ecosystem function after conversion to agroforestry.
Researchers developed a bioeconomic model to overcome the cost barrier of high-density planting for weed suppression. The study found distinct physiological differences in crops that impact the balance needed to achieve a cost-neutral result.
A new study reveals that the US Midwest has seen a significant increase in cover crop adoption, with 7.2% of cropland being planted with cover crops in 2021. This is attributed to government programs and funding initiatives, which have been shown to strongly correlate with the onset of cover crop assistance.
A new study found that healthier plant-based dietary patterns had lower cardiovascular disease risk and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to less healthy plant-based diets. Diets high in refined grains, sugary drinks, and processed meat required more cropland, fertilizer, and irrigation water.
A new database quantifying cropland phosphorus budgets around the world helps identify nutrient management gaps in different regions. The study provides valuable insights into phosphorus management challenges and opportunities in various countries, shedding light on how to improve global phosphorus use efficiency.
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that Brazil can increase its soybean production by 36% by 2035 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 58% and eliminating deforestation. The strategy involves intensifying crop yields, growing a second crop on soybean fields, and raising more cattle on smaller pastures.
Researchers found that non-growing season nitrous oxide emissions in the Midwest can account for up to 60% of annual emissions. Environmental factors such as precipitation and temperature drive these emissions, with more intensive freezing causing increased emissions in the southeastern Midwest.
Researchers, led by TUM's Senthold Asseng, are exploring ways to close the genetic yield gap of 51% in wheat to meet increasing global demand. Utilizing advanced breeding techniques and interdisciplinary approaches combining genetics, soil, and climate science can lead to richer harvests.
A new study suggests that reducing sugar consumption through sugar taxation policies can have significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. Redirecting existing sugar cropland to alternative uses like biofuel production could lead to emissions reductions of up to 54.3 MtCO2e per year.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.
A Princeton study shows that environmental benefits from restored croplands are lost when they are recultivated, and most land is left abandoned for only about 14 years. The researchers found that significant environmental benefits will be lost within 30 years, highlighting the need for policy incentives to restore habitats.
A new study predicts that agricultural water scarcity will worsen in up to 84% of croplands globally by 2050, with green water availability changing under climate change. Effective solutions include conserving agricultural water through mulching, no-till farming, and improving irrigation infrastructure.
A new study by University College London (UCL) researchers found that climate change and intensive agricultural land use have already led to a 49% reduction in insect populations in the most impacted parts of the world. Insect declines are linked to rising temperatures and land use changes, with tropical areas seeing the biggest declines.
Researchers found that livestock grazing had no negative impact on snow leopard distribution or density, and the species can coexist due to their separate ecological niches. The study suggests a more nuanced approach to conservation and land use, prioritizing the preservation of rocky mosaics.
Researchers developed an estimation strategy to maximize accuracy while minimizing cost of soil carbon sampling, leveraging publicly available data. The new approach reduces the number of samples needed by up to 28% compared to random selection.
A new study suggests that relocating farmland could reduce global carbon emissions by 71% and increase biodiversity by 87%. The researchers mapped out optimal locations for major food crops, recommending areas in the US Midwest and sub-Saharan Africa to maximize yield and minimize environmental impact.
Researchers at University of Illinois develop new method to accurately estimate soil organic carbon using airborne and satellite hyperspectral sensing. The study leverages machine learning algorithms with a comprehensive soil spectral library, enabling large-scale monitoring of surface soil organic carbon.
A $19 million research project will investigate the connection between grazing management decisions and soil health, aiming to improve soil resilience and productivity. The project, led by Noble Research Institute, will provide farmers and ranchers with tools to measure outcomes of soil health in grazing land environments.
A recent study suggests that the ancient Maya's agricultural strategies may have been more effective than previously believed. The research, which analyzed airborne lidar data, found that Maya settlements in Mexico and Guatemala were able to maintain a stable food supply despite environmental challenges.
A new study highlights the need for sustainable dietary choices to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing discretionary foods like sweets, pastries, and processed meats can help lower emissions, which contribute to climate change.
A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment suggests that bioenergy crops can be produced on economically marginal land. The research team estimated that 1.4-2.2 million hectares in the rainfed region are suitable for bioenergy crop production on such land.