Articles tagged with Land Use
Researchers found that small amounts of development can positively impact bee species in a given area, revealing the importance of forest remnants and blended landscapes. The study discovered 111 species, representing 20% of known Georgia bee species, and provided a framework for future research to assist in bee conservation.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a $30 million grant to empower grassland farmers in climate-smart agriculture. The project aims to enhance operation resilience and optimize profitability while improving soil health and biodiversity.
A joint study by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the world's earliest known evidence of opium use in the Late Bronze Age. Eight ceramic vessels containing opium residue were found in Canaanite graves at Tel Yehud.
Researchers found parotoid gland sizes were significantly smaller in urban toads compared to rural populations, while body mass was not different. Urbanization also caused increased sexual dimorphism in leg length.
A new study suggests that timber cities could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using wood as a building material. The researchers found that housing in mid-rise buildings made of wood could avoid more than 100 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2100, equivalent to 10% of the remaining carbon budget for the 2°C target.
A global report reveals ladybird species are poorly understood due to human activities, and urgent conservation actions are needed. The research emphasizes the importance of protecting habitats, particularly those that provide overwintering sites for ladybirds.
A new University of Washington study found that bird behavior was not significantly affected by the reduced human activity during COVID-19 lockdowns. In fact, many birds were observed in highly developed urban areas, suggesting that green spaces may serve as important refuges for urban birds.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that high-value properties in the western United States are disproportionately exposed to wildfire hazards. Researchers found that both low- and high-income communities bear a disproportionate burden of wildfires.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that allowing cross-border evacuations can reduce evacuation time by 14% and improve public safety. However, intermunicipal cooperation is required to make this approach effective.
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.
A new study reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructure, habitat degradation, and climate change. The research identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions.
Researchers at UNH found that silvopasture reduced carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions compared to traditional pasture. The study provides a viable alternative for farmers looking to mitigate climate change in temperate regions.
A team at Portland State University is creating comics to share research findings on transportation and land development. The project aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the general public, addressing barriers such as complex language and storytelling, while showcasing the potential of visual rhetoric.
A study by UFZ researchers used satellite data and artificial intelligence to determine the land-use intensity of meadows and pastures in Germany. The results show that grassland was used less intensively in 2018 due to drought, with 64% not mowed compared to 36% in 2017.
A study by Leibniz-IZW scientists reveals that the death of common noctule bats at wind turbines interrupts natural food chains, compromising ecosystem services like pest control. The loss of these insectivorous bats has significant consequences for agriculture and forestry in Germany.
Researchers argue that the Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use is too vague regarding gross vs net deforestation. This distinction matters for carbon dioxide emissions. Stopping gross deforestation would significantly reduce emissions.
A nationwide analysis found that local increases in green vegetation could have prevented between 34,000-38,000 deaths among adults 65 and older in large US metropolitan areas. The study also showed a significant increase in overall greenness in metro areas over the past two decades.
A recent SFU study found that 79% of Vancouver residents have access to a grocery store within a 15-minute walk, while 99% can reach one via cycling. However, there are inequities in access across populations and neighbourhoods, disproportionately affecting children, older adults, and racialized populations.
International meta-analysis finds that streams and rivers' efficiency in retaining nitrates is nearly five times lower for agricultural catchments than pristine ones. Wastewater, agriculture, and urbanization are the top stressors affecting ecological functions, highlighting the need for urgent action.
A major new study is investigating the effects of beavers on the Arctic landscape, other animals, and local Indigenous communities. The project aims to understand the complex interlinkages between ecological and sociological changes as beaver numbers increase.
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.
A new study has developed a tool to evaluate and change names that may be rooted in white supremacy. Researchers analyzed over 2,000 place names in 16 US national parks, finding patterns of settler colonial mythologies including racism and genocide.
A University of Illinois-led study reveals a significant decline in tropical forest bird populations, with 70% of understory bird species experiencing a drop of half or more since 1977. The findings highlight the importance of long-term studies and the need to address the lack of data on tropical bird populations.
A new study by Resources for the Future and Columbia University finds that losing a hectare of wetlands can cost society an average of $1,900 in flood damages per year. In developed areas, this figure rises to over $8,000. The research highlights the importance of preserving wetlands for flood mitigation.
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 new framework will help conservation agencies forecast climate change impacts and identify target areas for protection. The project aims to create adaptable portfolios of target sites for biodiversity conservation over time.
Researchers analyzed two peat cores to discover that higher concentrations of charcoal occurred between 9,000 to 4,000 years ago due to larger forest fires. Mangrove pollen found in the earlier period indicates rising sea levels and increased salt, contributing to dry conditions suitable for massive forest fires.
A new study reveals climate change has caused significant recent losses of India's forests, exacerbating deforestation. The research found that rainfall alterations and temperature trends contributed to large declines since the turn of the century, necessitating targeted preservation action.
Researchers found that Monte Albán's defenseable hilltop location and collective form of government attracted people to the settlement. The study challenges the idea that fertile land was a primary factor in its foundation.
The Amazon rainforest is losing resilience and approaching a critical transition, with more pronounced losses in drier areas near human land use. This could lead to an abrupt transition to a much drier habitat with profound implications for biodiversity and climate change.
Researchers analyzed user survey data and on-the-ground observations to understand e-scooter use and safety. The study found that older riders were less likely to experience crashes, while helmet use was lower in observed data compared to surveyed users.
Research from the University of Colorado Boulder found that people exposed to more green space reported less depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also found that spending time in green spaces had a protective effect on mental health, even in times of extraordinary stressors.
New research reveals how medieval East African farming societies altered their island habitat through intensive land use, impacting shoreline modification and community decline. The study examines the effects of urban growth, trade, and waste on coastal sediments, shedding light on early globalization and maritime trade networks.
Urbanization in China has led to an increase in biomass and carbon stocks, both in rural areas and recently developed cities. The country's afforestation strategy and green policy initiatives have contributed to this positive effect on its climate balance.
A global study reveals that freshwater lake ecosystems are being damaged by salt concentrations below government-protective thresholds. The loss of zooplankton triggers a cascade effect causing an increase in algae, potentially altering nutrient cycling and water quality.
A new study reveals that Colombia's peace agreement has led to more forest loss, primarily due to increased coca farming and cattle ranching in the Andes and Amazon respectively. The research highlights the importance of considering local factors such as land use, politics, and socioeconomics in conservation efforts.
A research team from the University of Göttingen found that vanilla agroforestry systems have advantages for both humans and nature, particularly when planted on fallow land. However, price fluctuations pose a challenge to sustainable cultivation.
A new study identifies key facts about global land use, highlighting opportunities for a more sustainable and equitable approach. The study's findings emphasize the need for policymakers to consider trade-offs between competing benefits and prioritize value judgments when making land use decisions.
A study by Portland State University found that only 16 transit-oriented developments across the US were fully affordable to low- and moderate-income households. The research highlights the need for policies and regulations to promote affordable housing in TODs, such as requiring a share of affordable units in public property projects.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that urban planners are focusing on restoring pre-pandemic downtown functions, with increased use of outdoor spaces and mixed-use development. However, government intervention is seen as a challenge to revitalization efforts due to reduced public investment in mid-sized cities.
A global collaboration of scientists has estimated that there are approximately 73,300 tree species in the world today, with more than 9,000 still undiscovered. This estimate is based on a massive dataset of over 38 million trees spanning 90 countries and 100 territories.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that border walls damage a country's international image, with real implications for soft power. The study found that participants had negative perceptions of countries with border walls, regardless of their political views or distance from the border.
Researchers used climate models and land use data to forecast watershed impact, finding average annual runoff may increase by 26% with conservation efforts. Runoff could rise by 67% if urban growth continues unabated, leading to increased pollutants.
Researchers studied evacuees from Finland during WWII and found that cultural similarities, such as language and social networks, were crucial for successful migrations. Being younger, male, educated, and linguistically similar to the host population also increased the likelihood of staying in a new home.
A new study by UBC researchers found that larger farms lead to a 15% decrease in bird diversity in the farmland bordering the former Iron Curtain. Maintaining diverse habitats within agricultural landscapes is crucial for conserving bird diversity.
The QUENCH network aims to discover how the quality of urban ecosystems affects nature-connectedness and health. Funded by £312,000 from NERC, UKRI, the project brings together experts in environmental science, health, psychology, social sciences, and more.
A new international study by IIASA reveals that rapid emissions cuts in the next few decades can avoid temperature overshoot, plateauing global temperatures around the time of net-zero emissions. This approach also yields long-term economic benefits, with projected GDP increases of up to 2% in scenarios that avoid overshoot.
A new study reveals that the Pantanal, a vast wetland in central South America, can reconcile healthy jaguar populations with economic activities. Ecotourism lodges have been found to be suitable habitats for jaguars, allowing for a landscape of tolerance where the species is no longer persecuted.
Researchers developed a framework to evaluate urbanization's impact on food and land use biodiversity. Urban areas can provide a range of approaches to increasing food diversity, including peri-urban agriculture and small farms. Strengthening food biodiversity among the urban poor can improve nutrition and security.
A new study from UMass Amherst suggests that changing land-use patterns in the greater Narragansett watershed can help mitigate the effects of climate change. The research found that expanding forest cover and investing in green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and living roofs, can reduce surface runoff and nutrient loading.
Researchers found that bacterial communities in streams adjacent to young secondary forests recover to resemble those of mature forest streams within a decade after cattle is removed from the land. This study provides hope for restoring water quality through passive reforestation, which can be crucial for human health and the environment.
Ancestral puebloans in Chaco Canyon thrived for over a millennium through indigenous agriculture and water irrigation, but their activities led to environmental degradation. The researchers found significant changes in the local woodlands beginning around 600 B.C., contributing to severe erosion and cropland deterioration.
A new study published in Nature Communications finds that insect biomass is higher in warmer temperatures, while diversity declines in agricultural environments compared to semi-natural habitats. Researchers recommend increasing green spaces in urban areas and promoting forest habitats to mitigate climate change.
A new study found that bigleaf maple trees are declining due to warmer, drier summers in Western Washington. The research team discovered that the trees' growth is sensitive to dry weather conditions, leading to smaller leaves and reduced overall mass.
A study found that deforestation increases in election years, cancelling out conservation efforts and gains. The phenomenon affects regions with strict environmental regulation, highlighting the need for addressing opportunistic behaviors in natural resource management.
Soil ecologists found that biobased plastics like PBSA degrade efficiently in the soil, even under future climate conditions, but excessive amounts can disrupt microbial communities and agriculture. The degradation process is influenced by fungi and a diverse bacterial community.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that microparticle concentrations in lakes are higher than previously reported and can be predicted by surrounding land use. The researchers found that areas with more human activity and lower forest cover had higher microparticle concentrations, while lakes with more active microorganisms had...
A recent global study on river ecosystems found that biodiversity loss can significantly impact the functioning of pristine water courses. The study, conducted by an international research network, revealed that alterations to ecosystems have severe and region-specific consequences.
A new study assesses the impacts of sea level rise and wetland change on storm surge flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region. The results show that even relatively weak storms in 2100 could have a greater impact than high-intensity storms today, with significant property damage and effects on people.
A new study reveals that deforestation and population growth have greatly increased landslide risk in the Kivu Rift, leading to thousands of fatalities each year. The research, conducted over six decades, shows that smallholder agriculture and mining activities also contribute to landslides.