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 and Land Use Model (CALM)
The Carbon and Land Use Model (CALM) links an econometric discrete choice model of land use conversions with a carbon storage model that predicts carbon dynamics due to land use change.
Carbon Sinks
Examining the balance between forest coverage and biomass production
Forest Products
Analyzing the range of policies that govern timber product markets
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
Media Highlight — Jan 22, 2025
E&E News: “Republicans Need Big Offsets for Tax Cuts. Drilling May Not Deliver.”
RFF Fellow Brian Prest reflects on whether lease sales for fossil fuel extraction on federal lands will be enough to pay for proposed federal tax cuts.
Media Highlight — Jan 21, 2025
Reuters: “Can LA Wildfires Prompt New Focus on Community Mitigation Efforts?”
Research by David Wear and insights from Matthew Wibbenmeyer support this story about wildfire mitigation efforts.
Resources Radio — Jan 14, 2025
Reversing Deforestation in Latin America, with Brent Sohngen
Brent Sohngen discusses the intersecting forces that are helping curb and reverse deforestation in Latin American countries.
Press Release — Jan 14, 2025
Habitat Protections Boost Home Values in Surrounding Communities
A new study finds that across the United States, the impact of the Endangered Species Act has been on average far more modest than previously thought.
Working Paper — Jan 13, 2025
The Cost of Species Protection: The Land Market Impacts of the Endangered Species Act
The Cost of Species Protection: The Land Market Impacts of the Endangered Species Act
Working Paper — Dec 12, 2024
From Catastrophe to Caution: The Effect of Wildfires on Community Hazard Mitigation Investments
In this working paper, the authors examine the impact of wildfires on community-level hazard mitigation efforts, specifically focusing on participation in the Firewise USA program.
Journal Article — Dec 4, 2024
Land-Use Change, No-Net-Loss Policies, and Effects on Carbon Dioxide Removals
A peer-reviewed paper shows that because mature forests store substantially more carbon than young forests, avoiding losses of existing forests provides more carbon storage benefits than adding new forests.
Working Paper — Dec 3, 2024
Changing Hazards, Exposure, and Vulnerability in the Conterminous United States, 2020–2070
In this working paper, the authors analyze how climate change reshapes natural resource hazards in the United States and assess the interplay of hazard exposure, social vulnerability, and drivers like climate and population changes over the next 50 years.
Environmental Justice Series — May 7, 2024
Minority Food Producers in the Climate Transition
A webinar examining the role of agricultural producers of color in the development of sustainable solutions for climate change.
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.
Resources Radio — Jan 14, 2025
Reversing Deforestation in Latin America, with Brent Sohngen
Brent Sohngen discusses the intersecting forces that are helping curb and reverse deforestation in Latin American countries.
On the Issues — Jul 19, 2024
On the Issues: Communicating Flood Risk, Flood Response, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: communicating flood risk, flood response, and more.
Resources Radio — Jul 9, 2024
Loved to Death? Social Media and Rising Visitation to National Parks, with Casey Wichman
Casey Wichman discusses the influence of social media on the popularity of national parks and the effects of increased visitation on overcrowding and park revenue.
Resources Radio — Jun 25, 2024
What Can Cell Phone Data Tell Us about Outdoor Recreation?, with Daniel Phaneuf
Daniel Phaneuf discusses methods of estimating the value of environmental goods, such as spaces for outdoor recreation, by using data collected from cell phones.
Media Highlight — Jan 22, 2025
E&E News: “Republicans Need Big Offsets for Tax Cuts. Drilling May Not Deliver.”
RFF Fellow Brian Prest reflects on whether lease sales for fossil fuel extraction on federal lands will be enough to pay for proposed federal tax cuts.
Media Highlight — Jan 21, 2025
Reuters: “Can LA Wildfires Prompt New Focus on Community Mitigation Efforts?”
Research by David Wear and insights from Matthew Wibbenmeyer support this story about wildfire mitigation efforts.
Press Release — Jan 14, 2025
Habitat Protections Boost Home Values in Surrounding Communities
A new study finds that across the United States, the impact of the Endangered Species Act has been on average far more modest than previously thought.
Media Highlight — Dec 20, 2024
Inside Climate News: “The Sunbelt’s Growing Population Faces Increasing Climate Hazards”
This story details a new study led by RFF Senior Nonresident Fellow David Wear, who analyzed the growing vulnerability of the Southeast to climate risks.
