Articles tagged with Land Management
A new study reveals that transforming biomass from dedicated energy crops into biochar could provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping China move closer to its carbon neutrality goals. Biochar can lock carbon in soils for decades or even centuries while improving soil health.
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
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.
The surge in glacier tourism poses significant pressure on vulnerable ecosystems and local communities. Experts highlight the need for balancing tourism with conservation, awareness, and social equity to prevent maladaptation strategies from spreading.
Cities need clear limits on urban sprawl to achieve sustainability. A new Concordia study proposes combining greenbelts with densification policies to limit sprawl and promote sustainable development. The study found that without additional policies, greenbelts alone are insufficient to halt urban sprawl.
A new study led by Concordia researchers found that federally funded Indigenous-led conservation programs can deliver highly effective climate and biodiversity outcomes. These programs, known as Indigenous-led Nature-based Solutions (NbS), can match or surpass conventional national and provincial parks in terms of carbon storage and bi...
Western US faces a 'fire deficit' with 74% of areas behind on annual burns, requiring 3.8 million hectares of forest to burn each year over decade. Strategies like prescribed burns and managed wildfire use can help address the issue.
A new study published by the University of Cambridge reveals that medieval Augustinian saints performed 'green-fingered' miracles, such as restoring swampy areas to fertility and healing diseased livestock. The research challenges major assumptions about the Catholic Church's forgotten early history.
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 European Research Council (ERC) has awarded an €8.33 million Synergy Grant to a five-year project led by Professors Jun Borras, Esteve Corbera, Ian Scoones, and Anna Tsing. The 'Land and Life in the Anthropocene' project aims to reshape landscapes for more-than-human life through innovative framework and connected approaches.
Researchers evaluate ways to redesign land use and nature conservation using integrated approaches to meet ecological, social, and economic goals. Multifunctional landscapes can promote biodiversity, food production, climate regulation, and human well-being.
The city's relocation to a depression resulted in colder temperatures, up to 10 degrees lower in winter. The new design prioritizes aesthetics over climate protection, creating a 'bloody wind tunnel' and neglecting essential features like snow insulation.
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.
A new nationwide database, TWIG, is helping land managers evaluate the impact of fuel treatments on wildfire risk. The open-access platform consolidates decades of data from across the US, enabling more efficient and effective strategies for applying treatments.
A new study found that proactive forest management can significantly reduce the risk of high-severity wildfires by 88% and stabilize carbon stocks. The research analyzed over 200 fuel reduction projects in California's Central Sierra and found that treated forests stored carbon more durably, even after extreme droughts.
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.
A new study from Colorado State University and Western Colorado University found that aspen forests can act as natural firebreaks, slowing fires' spread. Aspen trees with high moisture content and chemical differences reduce flammability, making them more resistant to burning.
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 at The University of Osaka develop AI-powered method to analyze urban vegetation color, structure, and seasonal changes using street view imagery. This allows city planners to enhance the 'feel-good' factor of urban green spaces throughout the year.
Meerkat research reveals how desert specialists handle environmental change, while a new study outlines a pathway to co-management with Tribal Nations, and another finds that marine heatwaves affect fish development, leading to a delayed maturation process. Drylands also contribute to increased methane emissions.
A study of 23 European mountain regions identifies climate change and population loss as major threats to these areas' biodiversity and value chains. Local agents proposed over 160 adaptation mechanisms to mitigate the impact, which could reduce vulnerability by up to 50%.
Prescribed burns contribute to significant air pollution in the southeast, particularly in minority and low-income areas. Climate change may exacerbate these impacts as fewer burn days become available.
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.
Researchers used anonymized GPS data from smartphones to monitor how wildlife reacts to people, highlighting the potential of human mobility data in tracking human-wildlife conflicts. The study's findings can inform conservation planning, help protect animals and wild spaces, and ensure that recreational activities are done responsibly.
Researchers from UC3M and UCA propose an integrated approach to tackle rural depopulation, focusing on spatial planning, economic diversification, and infrastructure development. Municipalities with up-to-date urban planning strategies show a 10% average population growth, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions.
The AI system uses evolutionary computing to find optimal policy solutions that balance trade-offs between carbon storage, economic disruptions, and environmental benefits. It recommends nuanced approaches to land-use strategies, such as replacing crop land with forest, rather than simply converting all land into forests.
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 new study led by Amy Bogaard found that high wealth inequality emerged in regions with land-intensive farming systems, where a small number of households controlled productive land. In contrast, societies with more equitable governance practices avoided extreme wealth inequality.
Researchers developed a new geospatial intelligence methodology to accurately delineate areas of natural vegetation and agricultural production by crop type. The results showed 95% accuracy in mapping, providing support for public policies aimed at agricultural production and environmental conservation.
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.
A new study reveals that UK peatland fires are responsible for up to 90% of annual fire-driven carbon emissions, with emissions set to rise by at least 60% if the planet warms by 2°C. Researchers found that rewetting peatlands can help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that cows with certain personalities tend to graze more widely or stick close to the herd. Researchers used sweet molasses feed to induce grazing behaviors, revealing insights into optimal cattle distribution and nutrition.
A new long-term soil health survey in Uganda aims to understand the role of tenure security and plot decision-makers in soil health outcomes. The survey identifies differences in soil health between plots managed by women farmers and men farmers.
A new study found that 75% of households in Kenya and Tanzania adopted a sustainable land management practice to control the invasive Prosopis juliflora. The practice, which involves uprooting the tree and using cleared land for crop and fodder production, was successful in reducing the problem.
Researchers at Penn State found that Indigenous communities played key roles in the adoption and dispersal of peaches across the continent. Peaches were likely widespread across Interior Southeast settlements as early as 1620, 100 years after Spanish expeditions in Florida and Georgia.
Researchers advocate using imagination and 'design-based research' to prepare urban river deltas for climate change. By visualizing possible futures, civic engagement and motivation can be encouraged, leading to more effective climate adaptation.
Researchers found charcoal and pollen in ancient mud from the Bass Strait islands, indicating that early Aboriginal Tasmanians used fire to clear forests and create open spaces for subsistence and cultural activities. This discovery provides insight into how humans have shaped their environment for tens of thousands of years.
The Tennessee RiverLine initiative has been awarded a $500,000 Area Development grant to support the development of comprehensive Planning and Design Standards. These standards will help accelerate investments in river access amenities, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and community connectivity across the Tennessee River valley.
A major international study involving 56,968 adults found that levels of nature connectedness are associated with socioeconomic factors such as financial security, education, and racial majority status. The UK scored higher on the Nature Exposure Scale, while Bosnia and Herzegovina led in this aspect.
A recent study led by University of Wyoming scientists found that managing free-roaming horses within the Bureau of Land Management's maximum appropriate management levels would benefit sage grouse populations. Grazing by wild horses can reduce shrub density, vegetation cover, and abundance of key forbs used by sage grouse.
Coastal forests face uncertain future as sea levels rise, with trees more vulnerable to saltwater flooding than marshes. Tree ring analysis reveals nuanced effects of flooding, temperature, and precipitation on tree growth, highlighting species- and site-specific factors.
A new study found that most US cities are successfully limiting floodplain development by applying existing tools and strategies. In New Jersey, municipalities have consistently limited new housing in floodplains and impervious surface growth using conventional local ordinances and modest government capacity.
A new perspective paper highlights the importance of understanding migration dynamics in rural areas, which are often driven by slow changes related to climate and environment. The researchers propose integrating land system science into migration studies to develop effective sustainability policies.
Environmental researchers at NUS use social media and deep learning to classify human activities in nature reserves, analyzing 87,090 photos from 2,813 PAs across 207 countries. The technique demonstrates utility in monitoring land use patterns efficiently and cost-effectively.
A new study by German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig found that climate change impacts ecosystems' multifunctionality, affecting soil health and biodiversity. Sustainable land management practices can enhance ecological and economic benefits under current and future climate conditions.
A new study reveals that urbanization in Africa affects food security through dietary shifts, particularly rice consumption, leading to increased methane emissions and biodiversity loss. The research highlights the need for policymakers to adopt holistic approaches to address future sustainability challenges.
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.
A worldwide analysis of voluntary carbon offset programs identified trends in renewable energy, forestry, and other technologies. Forestry and land management projects initially increased due to REDD+ programs, but shifted towards nature-positive solutions after 2016.
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that saturated soils in upland regions could negatively impact the survival rates of young oak saplings and acorns. The research highlights the importance of considering soil conditions when creating temperate rainforests to combat climate change.
Recent deadly wildfires in Greece and Hawaii highlighted the need for improved wildfire risk management. The authors propose a long-term strategy integrating forest land management with fire prevention and mitigation measures, including retrofitting buildings and limiting development in the wildland-urban interface.
Research suggests mainstreaming biodiversity targets into policies and plans across sectors has been ineffective due to non-binding commitments and insufficient resources. The study highlights the need for top-down regulation and incentives to encourage greater commitment to nature recovery.
Research finds that the Arctic warming is causing a decline in dust levels across India, the Persian Gulf Coast, and the Middle East. The study suggests that addressing dust reduction should be done in tandem with efforts to curb emissions and mitigate climate change.
In Central Italy, traditional land management practices like leaf litter raking and sheep grazing reduced wildfire risk. However, these practices have been largely forgotten due to historical classism and sexism. The research highlights the importance of remembering these ancient practices in mitigating future wildfires.
The report presents gained knowledge from stakeholders and parties on challenges in Greenland marine research and insights for developing East Greenland environments. The seminar and workshop emphasized the need for forward-looking approaches to inform decision-makers.
A study published in People and Nature found that large parts of the participants supported the return of wolves and elk to the Oder Delta region, with a strong appetite for rewilding initiatives. Locals, however, showed mixed feelings, with some reservations about the presence of large carnivores like wolves.
A new UK research hub aims to bridge the gap between science and policy to achieve Net Zero. The 'Land Use for Net Zero' Hub will provide evidence on land use and agriculture, helping to drive transformations needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed an AI-powered method to measure urban decay using street view images, identifying object classes like potholes and graffiti. The model showed promise in detecting urban decline in cities like San Francisco and Mexico City, with potential applications for informing urban policy and planning.
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.