Agriculture, Forestry, and Ecosystem Services (AFE)
The basis for improved assessment and management of natural resources is a deep understanding of complex and interacting biophysical processes within terrestrial ecosystems. The AFE Group aims to achieve a leading position in addressing research questions requiring integrated analyses of agriculture, forestry, and natural land ecosystems at global and regional levels. The group’s strategic ambition of biophysical tool integration for, among others, the assessment of nature-based/climate solutions, landscape restoration options, agro-forestry, or future cropland management, is at the core of the IIASA research domain on biodiversity and ecosystem services. With sustainability and biodiversity aspects as cross-cutting environmental safeguards, the group is closely aligned with the strategic direction of its host program on Biodiversity and Natural Resources. This structural and strategic setup will ensure that AFE becomes a valuable research pillar and contributor to the overarching IIASA strategy.
Latest news:
Building fairness into decision making
The fairSTREAM project just launched under the auspices of the IIASA Strategic Initiatives Program, aims to develop and demonstrate a co-production methodology for including equity and justice (fairness) alongside efficiency in developing sustainable policy options across the food-water-biodiversity nexus. More
Closing knowledge gaps for sustainable agriculture
IIASA is part of a project funded under the Belmont Forum’s joint Collaborative Research Action on Pathways to Sustainability to develop and apply an indicator system for measuring sustainability in the agricultural sector that will close existing knowledge gaps and facilitate decision making for more sustainable agricultural production. More
Russian forests are crucial to global climate mitigation
Russia is the world’s largest forest country. Being home to more than a fifth of forests globally, the country’s forests and forestry have enormous potential to contribute to making a global impact in terms of climate mitigation. A new study by IIASA researchers, Russian experts, and other international colleagues have produced new estimates of biomass contained in Russian forests, confirming a substantial increase over the last few decades. More
Upcoming events
Past events
IBFRA 2021: Changing Boreal Biome
The International Boreal Forest Research Association will bring together researchers, managers, policymakers, and member... More
Digital ALPTREES conference 2021
The digital ALPTREES conference displays a platform for citizens, experts, young adults, and stakeholders to share thei... More
PUBLICATIONS
Mendoza Ponce, A. , Corona-Núñez, R.O., Nava, L.F. , Estrada, F., Calderón-Bustamante, O., Martínez-Meyer, E., Carabias, J., Larralde-Corona, A.H., et al. (2021). Impacts of land management and climate change in a developing and socioenvironmental challenging transboundary region. Journal of Environmental Management 300, e113748. 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113748.
Carr, T.W., Balkovič, J. , Dodds, P.E., Folberth, C. , & Skalský, R. (2021). The impact of water erosion on global maize and wheat productivity. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 322, e107655. 10.1016/j.agee.2021.107655.
Martins, N.P., Fuchslueger, L., Fleischer, K., Andersen, K.M., Assis, R.L., Baccaro, F. B., Camargo, P.B., Cordeiro, A.L., et al. (2021). Fine roots stimulate nutrient release during early stages of leaf litter decomposition in a Central Amazon rainforest. Plant and Soil 10.1007/s11104-021-05148-9. (In Press)