Land Use, Forestry, and Agriculture
Forest, agricultural, and other land uses are both a source of emissions and a way to remove carbon from the atmosphere. RFF scholars are identifying and measuring land management solutions that can sustain people, ecosystems, and the climate, through effective incentives, investments, and protections.
Highlights
Topics
Agriculture
Examining the impacts of agricultural land use
Carbon Sinks
Examining the balance between forest coverage and biomass production
Forest Products
Analyzing the range of policies that govern timber product markets
Protected Lands and Outdoor Recreation
Assessing the value of protected lands to inform effective policy
Public and Private Lands
Examining the way natural, rural, and urban land is used and managed
Wildfires
Analyzing how communities, land managers, and policymakers can mitigate wildfire disasters
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
Resources Radio — Jan 17, 2023
A History of America’s Public Lands, with John D. Leshy
John D. Leshy discusses the history of US public lands, legislation that has affected their legal status, and their role in a transition to clean energy.
RFF Live — Sep 7, 2022
Sparking Solutions: The Fuels Management Challenge and Opportunity
Examining the role of fuels management in mitigating the impacts and intensity of wildfires
Testimony and Public Comments — Mar 8, 2022
Comments on the Development of a Conservation and Stewardship Atlas
Comments to the Department of the Interior on the development of a Conservation and Stewardship Atlas.
Journal Article — Feb 8, 2022
Environmental and Socio-Economic Implications of Woody Biomass Co-firing at Coal-Fired Power Plants
This paper applies a detailed power sector model to explore the near-term role of woody biomass co-firing at existing coal facilities in the Eastern US in the decarbonization of US electricity generation.
Explainer — Sep 8, 2023
Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions 101
This explainer provides an overview of agriculture's contributions to US greenhouse gas emissions, detailing major emissions sources and technology options for emissions mitigation.
Journal Article — Jul 20, 2023
The Spread and Cost of Saltwater Intrusion in the US Mid-Atlantic
This journal article develops a high-resolution dataset showing salt patches on farm fringes and quantifies the extent of salt-impacted lands across the Delmarva Peninsula.
Report — Jun 21, 2023
Prospects for Land Sector Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States
This RFF report explores policies to expand the level of carbon dioxide removals from the land sector.
Working Paper — Jun 12, 2023
The Economics of Forest Fuel Removals on Federal Lands
An RFF working paper examining how to engage the private sector in forest fuel removal on federal lands to reduce wildfire hazard.
RFF Live — Jul 25, 2023
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Exploring the US Forest Service’s 2020 RPA Assessment
On Tuesday, July 25, RFF and the USDA Forest Service unpacked the findings from the 2020 RPA Assessment and discussed the implications of our changing forest resources.
RFF Live — Jun 27, 2023
Policy Road Map to Accelerate Responsible BECCS Deployment
An event hosted by EFI Foundation and Resources for the Future reviewing the future of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
RFF Live — Nov 30, 2022
Sparking Solutions: Wildfire Risk and Insurance
The third RFF Live event in the "Sparking Solutions" event series examining the role of insurance in mitigating the risks of wildfire.
RFF Live — Oct 12, 2022
Sparking Solutions: Reducing Risk at the Wildland-Urban Interface
On Wednesday, October 12, Resources for the Future (RFF) hosted the second RFF Live event in the “Sparking Solutions” webinar series, where we discussed the benefits and challenges of addressing the WUI problem.
In Focus — Aug 30, 2023
In Focus: Carbon Emissions from Wildfire
This video shares insights about the record-breaking emissions from Canada’s wildfires and the implications for Canadian, US, and global emissions-reduction efforts, with RFF Fellow Matthew Wibbenmeyer.
Common Resources — Aug 2, 2023
Evaluating Perceptions and Outcomes of Supplemental Environmental Projects
Recent research finds that voluntary public works projects that mitigate the penalties applied for violations of environmental law are favored by the public and provide benefits to violating firms, but primarily appear in high-income, white communities.
On the Issues — Jun 23, 2023
On the Issues: Protecting Coastal Communities, Electric Truck Infrastructure, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: protecting coastal communities, electric truck infrastructure, and more.
Common Resources — Jun 15, 2023
Geeking Out on Geography: Mapping the Effects of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act
The Coastal Barrier Resources Act is a great example of how geographically targeted policy can have spillover effects in neighboring areas. New research from Resources for the Future scholars demonstrates why and how.
Press Release — Aug 14, 2023
Western US Wildfire Smoke Costs $2.3 Billion per Year in Health Impacts and Lost Enjoyment
A new working paper, published by scholars at RFF and the University of Alaska Anchorage, finds that camping trips to public lands are worth $107 less on average if they are affected by wildfire smoke.
Media Highlight — Jul 28, 2023
National Parks Traveler: "National Park System Expansion is Key to Biodiversity Protection"
RFF Senior Fellows Margaret Walls and Rebecca Epanchin-Niell are referenced in this article about the importance of natural landscapes for species conservation.
Press Release — Jun 21, 2023
Forests Will Sequester Less Carbon in the Coming Decades. Afforestation Programs Could Change That.
Forests Will Sequester Less Carbon in the Coming Decades. Afforestation Programs Could Change That.
Media Highlight — Feb 9, 2023
The Economist: "Joe Biden Is Not Quitting Fossil Fuels"
An article about the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska includes research insights from RFF Fellow Brian Prest.
