Land Use
Articles tagged with Land Use
Integrated land planning is necessary to meet climate, food and biodiversity goals
An international team of researchers found that coordinated land-use planning can reduce species impact by 15% and carbon loss by 19%. Strategic planning can enable progress toward global biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development goals simultaneously.
Urban agriculture could supply around 28 percent of Europe’s vegetable demand
A new study estimates that urban agriculture in European cities could produce up to 20 million tons of vegetables annually, representing roughly one-third of the region's current vegetable production. This could supply around 28% of Europe's vegetable demand for 190 million Europeans.
Challenging the urban-rural divide in ecology
A new framework proposes a continuum of urbanity, challenging traditional thinking about urban and rural spaces. The study explores how urban, rural, and wild features are interconnected, affecting livelihoods, ecosystems, and human well-being in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.
FAU study uncovers why pedestrian deaths continue to rise in the US
A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers highlights the role of urban planning in increasing pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in the US. The study reveals that everyday destinations like grocery stores and pharmacies along busy roads significantly increase risk of serious injury or death.
Waikīkī faces escalating threat of sewage-contaminated flooding as sea level rises
A new study reveals that Waikiki is facing a fundamental shift in flood hazards as sea levels rise, transitioning from rainfall-driven floods to tidal process-dominated events. The team identified two key pathways, storm drain backflow and groundwater emergence, which will increase public exposure to sewage-contaminated waters.
Restored ecosystems could help defend borders, study suggests
Researchers propose using terrain to deter conflict while delivering environmental benefits through restored forests, wetlands, and peatlands. These interventions support carbon storage, flood mitigation, and biodiversity recovery, acting as a form of deterrence by denial.
Why treelines don’t simply rise with the climate
A global study reveals treelines shift upslope in 42% of cases, retreating in 25%, due to complex interactions between temperature and human interventions like land use changes. Treeline dynamics also influenced by natural disturbances like fires.
ForestTalks webinar explores integrating Earth observation and national forest inventories across Europe
The webinar highlighted the potential of combining NFI field data, EO disturbance products, and national statistics for robust forest carbon monitoring. Continental-scale carbon balance analysis showed a trend towards neutral over the past decade, with large interannual variability.
Barcelona Metropolitan Area loses over 70% of agricultural land in recent decades
The study reveals that peri-urban agriculture is key to urban resilience and calls for an urgent shift in planning policies. Agricultural land losses are driven by urban expansion, real estate speculation, and low profitability.
Elders’ stories are bringing digital models of lost communities to life
A team from Ohio State University has digitally reconstructed three historically Black communities that were fragmented or demolished for freeway construction. The project, known as Ghost Neighborhoods of Columbus, aims to show how urban renewal decisions of the past have a positive impact on future development.
‘Just-shoring’ puts justice at the center of critical minerals policy
A new framework, 'just-shoring,' aims to shift focus from competition and security to the rights and interests of local communities whose lands are most at risk. The approach prioritizes accountability and transparency, giving communities a legal right to co-govern throughout the mineral lifecycle.
Researchers find that landowner trust, experience influence feral hog management
Two studies have found that trust in landowners and experience with feral hogs significantly influence their willingness to manage the animals. Trust in neighbors and community was found to be associated with the likelihood of landowners taking actions to manage feral hogs, while experience with the animals was also a crucial factor.
Tropical forests generate rainfall worth billions, study finds
A new study estimates that each hectare of tropical forest generates 2.4 million litres of rain annually, enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. This process is known as evapotranspiration, where the sun's energy is used to transfer moisture from the leaves into the atmosphere.
Hunter-gatherers northwestern Europe adopted farming from migrant women, study reveals
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.
New ‘URBank’ database enables comparative archaeological and historical urbanism
The URBANK database aggregates and analyzes urban data to overcome fragmentation and variability in archaeological record. It offers a multidisciplinary platform for studying cities as dynamic networks of connected elements.
Philadelphia communities help AI computer vision get better at spotting gentrification
Drexel researchers create machine learning program that integrates qualitative and quantitative data to identify gentrification in Philadelphia neighborhoods. The program, trained with data from thousands of images and focus groups, accurately identifies new-build gentrification with 84% accuracy.
Old rules do not work for reindeer husbandry
A new research article reveals that the rules of use for Sámi reindeer husbandry create challenges for self-governance and adaptation to climate change. The rules were designed to promote sustainability but have not been effective in accommodating adjustments, leading to conflicts between authorities and herders.
Risk to Amazon rainforest from land use and climate change
A new study estimates that the Amazon rainforest could lose up to 38% of its area by the end of the 21st century due to land use changes and climate change. The research, published in PNAS, suggests that abrupt transitions from dense forest coverage to savannah-like landscapes pose a significant risk to the ecosystem.
Dragon-slaying saints performed green-fingered medieval miracles, new study reveals
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.
More accessible urban parks linked with greater physical activity across US cities
A recent study published in Nature Health found that higher park accessibility is associated with increased daily physical activity. The researchers analyzed wearable step-counter data from 7,013 anonymous users in 53 U.S. metropolitan areas and found a strong link between park accessibility and movement.
Over half of global coastal settlements are retreating inland due to intensifying climate risks
Over half of global coastal settlements have retreated from the coast over the past 30 years in response to intensifying climate hazards. Coastal regions in Africa and Oceania lead the retreat, while poorer regions often expand shoreline settlements due to economic needs.
SOLO project shares its 'Outlook 2025 Soil Health R&I Knowledge Gaps'
The SOLO project has identified key knowledge gaps for improving EU soil health by 2030. The study highlights the need for research and innovation to address these gaps, with a focus on bottlenecks and drivers of current approaches. The project aims to support the transition towards healthier soils by proposing novel approaches.
Maps created by 1960s schoolchildren provide new insights into habitat 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.
Cities around the world must plan more explicitly to reach UN goals on inclusivity, safety, resilience, and sustainability, new research reveals
A new report from the University of Liverpool highlights the uneven progress toward achieving UN SDG11, a goal to make cities more inclusive, safe, and sustainable. To meet this goal by 2030, planners must translate global awareness into local action.
Geography: Ways to achieve more accurate carbon budgets
A team of researchers from LMU München investigated why CO2 fluxes from land use are uncertain and how they can be estimated more accurately in the future. They found that differences in definitions, data sources, and model assumptions lead to substantial discrepancies and uncertainties.
EU awards an €8.33m ERC research grant for project How can we learn to live on Earth in new ways?
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.
Landscapes for biodiversity, food, climate and more
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.
Who benefits from neighborhood parks?
A new study found that public greenspaces are lacking in many American communities, with some groups facing significant barriers to access. The research highlights the need for more inclusive park planning and distribution to ensure equal benefits for all residents.
Kilimanjaro has lost 75 percent of its natural plant species over the last century
A new study reveals that land-use change was the primary cause of biodiversity loss on Mount Kilimanjaro's lower slopes over the last century. Human activities such as population growth and economic development led to a decline in plant species diversity, with up to 75% lost per square kilometer.
Wetlands efficiently remove nitrogen pollution from surface water, leading to cost savings for municipalities
A new study finds that wetlands along the Mississippi River Basin effectively clean up nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields. The researchers show that restoring these wetlands can lead to significant savings for local drinking water treatment facilities, with potential annual benefits of $200 million.
EU ambiguity on Western Sahara frozen conflict is a “glaring source” of vulnerability for Sahrawis, study shows
A new study by Dr Irene Fernández-Molina from the University of Exeter reveals that EU legal ambiguity on the Western Sahara conflict is a significant disadvantage for the Polisario Front and its Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The study highlights how lawfare has been successfully used to challenge these ambiguities, leading to accu...
How do land use policies contribute to racial segregation in communities?
Minimum lot size regulations can cause racial segregation through both economic and voluntary choices, according to new research. Households with higher incomes are more willing to pay for larger lots, while Black households show a lower willingness to pay, highlighting a racial preference effect.
China’s hunger for meat “sustains” the consumption of natural resources in Brazil
A study by Politecnico di Milano reveals China's increasing demand for animal proteins sustains the consumption of natural resources in Brazil. The research shows that soybean imports to China have a significant impact on Brazilian land use, water resources, and deforestation.
Winners of Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 announced
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 have been recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to global challenges through applied microbiology. The awards celebrate excellence across various domains, including drug discovery and sustainable agriculture.
Climate change drove extreme wildfire seasons across the Americas, making burned areas around 30 times larger
Human-driven climate change makes wildfires in parts of South America and Southern California much larger and more destructive. Climate models warn that severe heatwaves and droughts will make extreme wildfires more frequent and intense worldwide.
UK food needs radical transformation on scale not seen since Second World War, new report finds
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.
UMD researchers create first system to track near-real time changes to global land cover
The DIST-ALERT system uses five satellites to receive more frequent images of global land surfaces, enabling scientists to track lands changing due to human activity, weather events, and natural causes. Land surface changes in 2023 were primarily driven by natural climatic variations and shifts in human-led management.
Bronze and Iron Age cultures in the Middle East were committed to wine production
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.
There is a hidden simplicity behind how people move
The study reveals that when physical constraints are removed, human mobility follows a power-law pattern, decreasing steadily with distance. The researchers found this pattern across five orders of magnitude, from 10 meters to hundreds of kilometers.
EU fertilization targets fall short of halving excess nitrogen in the soil
The EU's Farm to Fork strategy aims to halve the nitrogen surplus by 2030 but calculations show a 10-16% reduction is necessary. Countries like Germany and the Netherlands would need to reduce fertilizer use, while others might see yield losses, impacting food production.
What can prairie dogs teach us about wildfire management?
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.
Land use severely reduces global carbon in plants and soils
A new study reveals that human influence has reduced global natural land carbon stocks by 24%, equivalent to 344 billion metric tons of carbon, mainly due to expanded pasture and croplands, as well as forest management.
Overhaul global food systems to avert worsening land crisis: Scientists
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.
Exploring the economic promise and environmental costs of mining in Brazil
A new study by researchers from IIASA found that Brazil's mining industry does not deliver sustained economic benefits and instead contributes to deforestation, particularly in the Amazon. Informal mining is a major driver of forest loss, while industrial mining has no strong connection to forest damage.
First ever one-day island-wide soil microbiome study completed on Crete
A groundbreaking single-day study on Crete's soil microbiome has provided new insights into the environmental factors influencing microbial diversity. The researchers identified several key drivers, including soil moisture and nutrient availability, which can inform strategies for preserving biodiversity.
Loss of natural areas and introduction of exotic species reduces fishing yields in the Paraná River in Brazil
A study analyzing data from 2002 to 2022 found a 50% decline in economic gains from fishing due to the introduction of exotic species. The size of native fish decreased, while invasive species increased in body size and abundance.
Don’t feed the animals: Researchers warn of risks tied to wildlife interactions
A new study warns of the dangers of human interactions with wildlife, particularly feeding wild animals, which can lead to habituation and dangerous encounters. The research found that provisioning food to wild animals can cause them to become bolder and more prone to causing problems.
Restored wetlands reap benefits for climate, drought-resilience after just one year: study
A new study found that restored floodplain wetlands can recover within a year and show substantial ecosystem benefits rapidly. The study revealed that managing freshwater wetlands for carbon benefits also boosts flood and drought resilience.
Agricultural liming in the US is a large CO2 sink, say researchers
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.
Enhancing the “feel-good” factor of urban vegetation using AI and street view images
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.
Religion, politics and war drive urban wildlife evolution
A new analysis reveals that religion, politics, and war can drive evolutionary changes in urban wildlife, leading to population differences and genetic drift. The study's findings have implications for city planning and management, highlighting the need for researchers to record changes as they happen using digital technology.
Effective therapies needed to halt rise in eco-anxiety, says psychology professor
Climate anxiety is growing, especially amongst young people, due to the polarized debate around climate change. Professor Beattie's book offers psychological tips on how to handle climate anxiety, including writing personal narratives about difficult emotional experiences. Strategies focus on improving mental well-being and empowering ...
Climate change and depopulation confirmed as the main concerns affecting mountain areas in Europe
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%.
Archaeologists uncover massive 1000-year-old Native American fields in Northern Michigan that defy limits of farming
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.
Research into new strategies to combat rural depopulation in Spain
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.
With evolutionary AI, scientists find hidden keys for better land use
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.
Reawakening ‘sleeping’ crops to combat today’s climate crisis
Researchers propose reawakening ancient native crops to address climate change, leveraging knowledge from Indigenous communities. The alternative approach combines food production and biodiversity protection, offering a low-input solution for adapting to changing climate conditions.
Is air pollution exposure equal across South Korea?
A recent study from POSTECH University evaluated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data, revealing significant socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure. The research found that areas with higher socioeconomic levels had higher NO2 concentrations, contradicting previous findings in other countries.
Intensifying farmland can sometimes degrade biodiversity more than expansion
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...