University of California, Irvine

Land-use

Nature Climate Solutions, Ecosystem Ecology, Land Management Support Decision Tools, Science Land Management, Land-Use Change

Climate change challenges food security, land degradation, desertification, sustainable land management, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems. We can store billions of tons of this “living carbon” by preserving natural habitats and judiciously managing farming, forests, and other land uses. The protection, management, and restoration of natural areas for further climate mitigation reflect promising choices provided by natural climate solutions. Despite the enormous amount of geospatial data available, there aren’t many scientifically sound, stakeholder-driven techniques that have provided specialized, integrated data for decision makers.

 

Land-use and land management must be at the forefront of the efforts to address the climate crisis. CLEWS scientific research will provide crucial insights into the relationships between land use, land management, and the climate system. This work could inform the development of sustainable land-use practices, such as agroforestry, and the implementation of policies and regulations to protect and restore critical ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands.
  • Research on carbon sequestration in soils and vegetation can inform the design of carbon offset programs and the development of new technologies to enhance carbon storage in the land sector.
  • Research on land-use and water management can inform the development of integrated water management strategies to address the impacts of climate change on water resources.
By providing a foundation of knowledge and innovation, Team Land-use has the potential to drive transformative change in the land sector and help solve the climate crisis. CLEWS will continue to invest in this critical area of research and work together with policymakers, practitioners, and communities to bring about a sustainable future for the planet.

Team Land-use

Steven Davis

Steven Davis

Efi Foufoula-Georgiou

Efi Foufoula-Georgiou

Tirtha Banerjee

Tirtha Banerjee

Jim Randerson

Jim Randerson