Articles tagged with Land Clearing
A new study by Colorado State University reveals that ag irrigation prevents higher greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding land conversion, saving 363 years' worth of emissions. Irrigation allows the US to grow more food on less land, reducing land-use change and its associated emissions.
Human-driven fires have reshaped the Amazonian forest over the last 10,000 years, with a significant impact on vegetation and species composition. The research reveals that fires were almost exclusively human-driven, with a dramatic decline in fire frequency over the last 700 years.
The study reveals that local political connections and strong NGO support are crucial for securing formal recognition of customary land rights. Communities with influential leaders and advocacy organizations like AMAN tend to succeed, while those without face significant hurdles. The researchers propose simplifying bureaucratic procedu...
A new study finds that cities with slower urban development tend to maintain plant communities and their climate benefits, while faster-developing cities experience declining productivity. The researchers hope their findings will inform urban development strategies to maximize plant growth.
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.
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.
A new UMD-led study found that extensive areas of Indonesia's cleared old-growth forests remain idle, with over half idle for at least one year and 44% for five years. Palm oil plantations were the most common outcome, often established after a lag of at least one year.
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 São Paulo State University found that Cerrado plant species employ two strategies to protect themselves from fire: producing thick bark and hiding organs beneath the ground. This allows them to resprout quickly after a fire event.
Uncontrolled wildfires are threatening environmental progress in Brazilian Amazonia, a critical carbon sink. Deforestation rates have fallen, but fire counts remain high, driven by hotter and drier climate conditions.
Research reveals that prescribed burns create favorable conditions for stinknet to spread, outcompeting native plants and reducing soil health. Targeted treatments after burns can help mitigate this issue.
The study found that integrated interventions, which prioritize people and nature coexistence, positively impact local human wellbeing. In contrast, single-sector interventions like high-input conventional agriculture and strict protected areas have negative impacts on human health and ecosystems.
The construction of dams and changes in land use have significantly impacted the amount of sediment rivers carry to oceans. Sediment transport has decreased by 49% globally due to dam construction, while increasing on 36% of rivers in the south, primarily driven by deforestation.
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.
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.
Tens of thousands in Riau struggle with air pollution due to land-clearing fires; schools closed for safety. Legal cases against suspected companies ongoing.
Researchers explore 'tipping points' in agriculture, highlighting the need to understand regime shifts to sustain ecosystem functions. The symposium identifies potential tipping points related to water and agriculture that could have major global consequences.