Articles tagged with Cropland
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.
A recent review from Oregon State University suggests that agricultural pollution is the cause of 48% of water-quality impairment in US surface waters. The study recommends greater buffer zones around bodies of water and more consistent enforcement of water protection regulations to reduce pollution.
A study finds that cropland redistribution to marginal lands undermines environmental sustainability, increasing wind erosion, irrigation water consumption, fertilizer use, and decreasing natural habitats. The study suggests restricting land reclamation and boosting crop yields for both food security and environmental benefits.
Double-cropping in Brazil's Centre-West region contributed significantly to the country's grain boom, increasing from 19% to 33% between 2003 and 2016. The practice allowed for increased corn production without expanding cropland, offsetting around 76.7 million hectares of arable land.
A new study led by UCL researchers suggests intensive agriculture could drive loss of bees and other tropical pollinators. Insect pollinators were found to be more than 70% less abundant in areas with intensive cropland compared to wild sites.
A pioneering study identified 20 'nitrogen hotspots of opportunity' in the US, representing 63% of surplus nitrogen balance but only 24% of cropland area. The top-ranked hotspot is a region across Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
A new study reveals that 6% of all global terrestrial protected areas are already made up of cropland, compromising biodiversity conservation goals. The persistence of native species in these areas is incompatible with conversion to cropland, highlighting the need for more effective conservation strategies.
Research by Ashley Larsen and Frederik Noack found that less diverse croplands lead to greater variability in pesticide use, while more diverse landscapes reduce pesticide application. The study suggests strategies for increasing food production while minimizing environmental impact.
A new methodology for assessing the credibility of historical global land use/cover datasets has been proposed, addressing temporal and spatial changes. The approach evaluates accuracy, rationality, and likelihood assessments through five case studies, providing a framework for improving data quality.
A study found that repeated annual rainfall shortages contribute to increased cropland expansion and deforestation in the developing world. The authors also noted that regions with adequate water infrastructure experience reduced cropland expansion and forest cover loss.
Researchers found that only about half of present cropland would be required to produce major crops with high nutrient inputs, while the other half could be restored to natural habitats. Targeted land sparing in biodiversity hotspots resulted in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration.
A recent study using satellite data reveals that abandoned cropland in Europe can moderate temperatures, with seasonal cooling of up to one degree C. The research found that forested areas increased by about 23 million hectares after agriculture abandonment, contributing to regional climate benefits.
A recent study found that conservation programs like China's Grain-to-Green Program can increase crop raiding by 64% on remaining cropland, resulting in significant economic losses. The hidden costs of conservation are being borne by poor farmers, who are also receiving lower yields and farming smaller areas.
A new study from Iowa State University highlights the need to update agricultural drainage infrastructure, which can benefit crop production and the environment. The research recommends installing higher capacity pipes and implementing long-term conservation practices, such as denitrification wetlands, bioreactors, and saturated buffers.
The study found that expansion poses a particularly serious threat to biodiversity in the tropics, while intensification primarily threatens biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Global agricultural production must increase to meet demand, but this comes at the cost of biodiversity.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara Bren School professor Arturo Keller links reforestation to significant benefits in water quality. Reforestation of marginal croplands can reduce nutrient loading, biodiversity, and sediments in streams and rivers.
Scientists at AAAS Annual Meeting explore ways to address unintended consequences of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Researchers discuss strategies for reducing tradeoffs between human well-being, nature conservation, and resource management.
Between 2000 and 2014, Brazil's cropland area nearly doubled from 26 Mha to 46.1 Mha. Most of this growth (80%) came from converting pastureland, while 20% was due to natural vegetation conversion.
Replacing traditional crop-based feed with protein-rich microbes could decrease deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and nitrogen losses by over 5%. Microbial protein production is economically profitable and could have positive effects on animal growth performance.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers shows that importing food can damage the environment at home. The study found that shifting from sustainable crops like soybeans to water and nutrient-intensive crops like corn increases nitrogen pollution in importing countries.
A study found that China's reforestation programs failed to protect native forests, with overall tree cover growing mainly from monoculture plantations. Researchers advocate for stronger incentives to prioritize native forest restoration.
Chinese croplands experienced drastic changes in management practices since the 1980s, leading to increased soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. The study found that economics and policy-driven organic inputs dominated SOC sequestration, particularly through crop straw/stover return policies.
A US study found that approximately one pound of food per person was wasted daily from 2007-2014, resulting in significant environmental impacts. The research also showed a paradoxical relationship between diet quality and food waste, highlighting the need for simultaneous efforts to improve diet quality and reduce waste.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara scientists has found that landscape characteristics, such as crop diversity and field size, affect insecticide use. Crop diversity was shown to reduce insecticide use by 8kg per hectare in table grapes, while larger fields use more insecticide.
A new study suggests that land-use change may be responsible for higher CO2 emissions than previously thought, emphasizing the need for reforestation efforts to combat climate change. The research highlights the crucial role of forests, grasslands, and croplands in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The study found that agricultural land has doubled within the Cerrado region, replacing native vegetation and altering the water cycle. Continued agricultural growth could reduce rainfall or delay critical rainy periods, threatening both natural vegetation and agricultural production.
A study found that agricultural expansion in the Cerrado biome reduces water recycling, affecting rainfall patterns. Double cropping can help mitigate this effect by increasing evapotranspiration rates.
A UBC study using satellite imaging found that Latin America's agricultural expansion slowed down from 2007 to 2013, a notable decline after decades of rapid growth. The slowdown is tied to global commodity prices and may not last if the economy recovers.
A study found that 7 million acres of new land were converted to cropland for biofuels, replacing millions of acres of grasslands and emitting significant carbon dioxide. The conversion, mainly to corn and soy, could have released as much CO2 as 28 million cars on the road.
A new report finds that only a small percentage of Africa's wet savannas have potential to produce staple crops while emitting less carbon dioxide. Converting these lands into farmland would release significant greenhouse gases, threatening biodiversity and local food security.
A new study sheds light on nutrition, land use, and water security dimensions of global food trade. The research reveals that more than one-fifth of calories grown in farm fields are traded, requiring about 20% of the world's croplands.
Two new global maps, developed by IIASA and IFPRI, provide more accurate information on cropland extent and field size. The maps, released in the journal Global Change Biology, improve regional food security planning and local economic conditions.
Scientists found that agricultural crops play a significant role in seasonal fluctuations of carbon dioxide, which could help understand and predict how Earth's vegetation reacts to global warming. The study reveals a nuance in the carbon cycle, explaining about 25% of the increase in seasonal swings with croplands.
A new study estimated carbon emissions from cropland expansion in Northeast China between 1680 and 1980, finding forest reclamation accounted for 60% of total emissions. The conversion of non-forest ecosystems also played a significant role in triggering carbon emissions.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests climate change may increase agricultural land availability in the North, but reduce it in tropical regions. This shift could lead to more frequent harvests in some areas and fewer in others, impacting global food production.
Improving agricultural productivity in Africa could lead to an increase in global deforestation rates and carbon emissions. However, the study found that if markets become more integrated, the negative effects of a green revolution in Africa will diminish over time.
Crop residue burning is a common practice in Indochina for pest control and field preparation, but it also causes significant air pollution and health concerns. The ongoing agricultural fires in the region release vast amounts of smoke into the atmosphere, affecting respiratory health and environmental conditions.
Agricultural fires in Indochina have detrimental effects on the environment, releasing vast amounts of smoke that cause air pollution. The fires also pose health risks to individuals with respiratory concerns.
A new study found that increasing cropping frequency could boost global food production by up to 44% on existing agricultural lands. Harvest gaps, the difference between actual and maximum potential harvest frequencies, are highest in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
A UCSB study analyzed USDA data spanning two decades, showing the relationship between landscape simplification and insecticide use varies greatly from year to year. The research suggests that simplistic landscapes may not be better or worse than complex ones when it comes to insect pest problems.
Researchers will use 30-meter resolution satellite images to identify eight different crops and changes in acreage over four decades, providing insights into climate change implications and carbon storage.
Increasing crop water productivity could feed an additional 110 million people while meeting domestic water demands of nearly 1.4 billion, according to a new study. The research team analyzed 16 staple crops globally, identifying opportunities for improving trade-off between food and water.
A new study in the Amazon finds that deep, permeable soils can act as a natural buffer against the negative impacts of crop fertilizer on nearby streams. The research suggests that these soils can absorb excess nutrients and reduce pollution, but warns that changes in land use may lead to increased nutrient runoff in the future.
A study published in Nature Communications found that 24-39% of harvested areas experienced stagnation or decline in maize, rice, wheat, and soybean yields between 1961 and 2008. The findings highlight the need to shift focus from meat and biofuel production to food security, particularly for staple crops like wheat and rice.
Researchers examine China's massive Grain to Green Program, which has invested over $32 billion to persuade farmers to return cropland to forest and grassland. The study found that too much land is being enrolled in the program in flat areas, and policymakers need to communicate more with farmers to better understand their needs.
A global plan for sustainable agriculture has been developed to increase food production by doubling current levels, while minimizing environmental damage. The plan combines data from crop records and satellite images to create new models of agricultural systems.
A study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and other institutions reveals that expanding croplands in the tropics releases nearly twice as much carbon per unit of food produced compared to temperate regions. The findings highlight a pressing need to balance agricultural production with carbon sequestration.
Perennial crops offer a solution to unsustainable agricultural systems by producing more, requiring less input, and maintaining soil health. Increasing landscape diversity can also boost populations of pests' natural enemies, reducing the need for pesticides.
A new study published in PNAS found that social norms have significant impacts on the sustainability of conservation investments. The research showed that people are more likely to enroll in conservation programs if their neighbors do so, highlighting the power of peer pressure in environmental behavior.
A new study by Holly Gibbs at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment suggests that biofuel crops may contribute to climate change by burning tropical forests. The research found that agricultural subsidies and policies favoring biofuel crop production can lead to deforestation, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
A recent NASA study found that clearing for mechanized cropland has become a significant force in Brazilian Amazon deforestation. The study suggests that the conversion of forests to croplands can have a more pronounced ecological and climate impact than other land conversions.
Recent changes in agricultural practices, such as more irrigation and higher yielding crops, can cool local temperatures by up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit. The study suggests that climate mitigation policies focusing only on carbon sequestration may be too simplistic.