Soil
Soils provide a wide variety of ecosystem services, including regulating carbon through sequestration and providing a structure to support crop plants. Erosion of soil, the primary source for soil particles to leave agricultural fields, may increase in certain areas of the U.S. due to climate change. Some areas of the country will experience less rainfall, causing soils to dry out. Combined with higher winds, this may lead to higher rates of wind erosion. Other areas may experience more intensive rainstorms, which can increase erosion rates by washing out stream banks, for example. Other factors affecting soil erosion that may increase or decrease due to climate change include changing irrigation needs, snowmelt patterns, soil erodibility, conservation practices, and topography.
-
Vulnerability Assessments of U.S. Agriculture and Forests (2018)
Two special issues in the journal Climatic Change feature vulnerability assessments of agriculture and forestry across…
-
Growing Milkweed in Vermont: An Economic Case Study
In this case study, we look at approaches and related costs and benefits to growing milkweed. We provide an economic…
-
Farming on a Saltier Coast
A new report by NOAA provides updated predictions on the rate of sea level rise within the United States. When coupled…
-
Understanding Soil Health and Watershed Function: A Teacher's Manual
By studying soil health principles, future farmers can learn to harness the power of biological work to help them…
-
Delmarva and the Ground for Change
A documentary film about three family-owned farming operations who are leaders in practices that promote healthy soils…
-
Following Nutrient Management Guidelines can Help to Reduce Nitrous Oxide Emissions
Nutrient management guidelines have largely been developed to protect water quality, but practices that improve…
-
Understanding forest soil carbon and useful resources for real-world management applications
The forests of the Northwoods, in particular the Lake States, soil carbon plays an important role. New research and…
-
A Renewed Focus on Soil Carbon
Increasing carbon storage as soil organic matter helps to mitigate climate change by removing CO2 from the atmosphere.…
-
Building Water Resilience in the Northwest Through Soil Management
Information and technical and financial resources on how to avoid and cope with current and expected changes to water…