Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Skip to content Skip to navigation
earth matters
science and insights for people who care about Earth, its resources and its environment

Food and Agriculture

rows of oil palm plants
April 4, 2017

Stanford study explores risk of deforestation as agriculture expands in Africa

Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment

Multinational companies are increasingly looking to Africa to expand production of in-demand commodity crops such as soy and oil palm. A first-of-its-kind study highlights the real and potential impacts on the continent’s valuable tropical forests.

Food and Agriculture, Human Dimensions and Sustainability
U.S. map showing Corn Belt
March 10, 2017

Mapping the Corn Belt with satellites

Stanford School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences
Research by Stanford Earth's David Lobell and George Azzari shows how better mapping of farm fields with satellites can lead to new ways to measure and boost crop yields.
Food and Agriculture
sun shines on U.S. grasslands
March 6, 2017

Stanford study shows U.S. grasslands affected more by atmospheric dryness than precipitation

<p>Stanford School of Earth, Energy &amp; Environmental Sciences</p>

According to 33 years of remote sensing data, productivity of U.S. grasslands is more sensitive to dryness of the atmosphere than precipitation, important information for understanding how ecosystems will respond to climate change.

Climate Change, Food and Agriculture
satellite crop yield estimates
February 13, 2017

Stanford researchers measure African farm yields using high-resolution satellites

Stanford School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences
By using high-res images taken by the latest generation of compact satellites, Stanford scientists have developed a new capability for estimating crop yields from space. Measuring yields could improve productivity and eventually reduce hunger.
Food and Agriculture
Graphic of satellite taking images of Earth from space
January 17, 2017

Study tracks “memory” of soil moisture

<p>MIT News</p>

First year of data from SMAP satellite provides new insights for weather, agriculture, and climate.

 

Climate Change, Dynamic Earth, Food and Agriculture
boats docked at Chinese fishing port
January 17, 2017

How China is poised for marine fisheries reform

Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies

Stanford researchers view ocean management as next front for China to compete as global sustainability leaders.

Food and Agriculture, Human Dimensions and Sustainability, Oceans
Jon Payne holding whale vertebrae
December 19, 2016

Editors' picks: Favorite Stanford Earth research stories of 2016

Stanford School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences

Some of our favorite research stories from Stanford Earth scholars in 2016.

Climate Change, Dynamic Earth, Energy, Evolution of Earth and Life, Food and Agriculture, Fresh Water Resources, Human Dimensions and Sustainability, Natural Hazards, Oceans
cattle with wind farms in the background
December 11, 2016

Methane from food production could be wildcard in combating climate change

Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment

Reports co-authored by Stanford Earth scientist show concentrations of methane approaching an internationally recognized worst-case scenario and highlight opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and fossil fuel use.

Climate Change, Food and Agriculture
December 5, 2016

Syrian crisis altered region’s land and water resources, Stanford study finds

Stanford School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences

Using remote sensing tools to uncover the environmental impacts of war, researchers introduce novel approaches for hard-to-reach areas.

Food and Agriculture, Fresh Water Resources
Ice flow
October 17, 2016

Future of Antarctic marine protected areas is at risk

Stanford School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences

Efforts to adopt effective marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean, a global commons containing the world’s most pristine marine ecosystems, are being thwarted by political infighting and fishing interests.

Food and Agriculture, Oceans
grasslands
September 28, 2016

Future climate change field test doesn't make Earth greener

Associated Press

In the course of a 17-year experiment on more than 1 million plants, Stanford scientists put future global warming to a real world test.

Climate Change, Food and Agriculture

Subscribe to Earth Matters

A free monthly bulletin for your inbox