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New Study Reveals Locations of Abandoned Farmlands to Potentially Combat Climate Change

Scientists map 30 million acres of abandoned US cropland, revealing potential for sustainable bioenergy crops to fight climate change.

Potential for Sustainable Energy on Abandoned Farmland

A battle often ensues over farmland in the struggle against climate change, as solar panels, energy crops, and food production compete over the land. Policies can unintentionally incentivize farmers to cultivate new lands, leading to the release of additional heat-trapping gases. That’s why sustainable plant-based fuel strategies often focus on marginal lands—those too difficult to cultivate or yielding poor profits.

A new tool developed by scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison aims to ease this tension. Researchers Yanhua Xie and Tyler Lark, along with their team at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, have used machine learning to map approximately 30 million acres of abandoned US cropland since the 1980s. This tool could help in decision-making regarding how to balance energy and food production.

Mapping Abandoned Farmland

Published in the Environmental Research Letters journal, the study offers a highly detailed map of previously cultivated land. The findings offer a field-level resolution of abandoned farmland, which could be used for farming crops like switchgrass or sorghum. These crops can trap carbon in the soil and serve as biofuel feedstocks and petrochemical substitutes.

“Understanding the location and characteristics of these lands can help us grasp their true potential for climate mitigation,” says Lark, a scientist at UW–Madison’s Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment. This insight could direct clean energy investments to areas where they would least interfere with other beneficial uses.

Land Use Change and Sustainable Energy

The study, a collaboration between researchers at UW–Madison and Michigan State University, was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The data are publicly available in the GLBRC’s interactive Atlas of Marginal Lands. This Atlas also maps trends in farmland expansion and irrigation.

Before this study, there was no way of knowing exactly where or when farmland was abandoned. “Most estimates have all been at the county level,” Lark explains. “This is really the highest resolution analysis available, looking directly at the landscape—field by field, acre by acre—of where these croplands are.”

Cloud Computing and Satellite Imagery

While satellite imagery has been available for decades, only recent advances in cloud computing have made it possible to categorize the nearly 2 billion acres of land in the coterminous US. To construct their analyses, Xie, now a professor at the University of Oklahoma, used existing land cover data to train a computer to read these images and recognize cultivation patterns.

The analyses can predict the precise location of abandoned croplands nine times out of 10 and can even pinpoint the year they were abandoned with about 65% accuracy.

Areas of Abandoned Cropland

The study found that over 30 million acres of cropland were abandoned over 32 years. The majority of this land was concentrated in the Great Plains and along the Mississippi River between southern Illinois and the Gulf of Mexico. Of the abandoned cropland, more than half became pasture or grassland, and roughly a third became shrubland, forest, wetland, or bare land.

Surprisingly, less than a fifth of the abandoned land was enrolled in a formal conservation program, such as the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program. This implies that more land than previously assumed could potentially be used to grow bioenergy crops.

Future research will use these data to model how much biomass these lands could produce and their potential to trap atmospheric carbon dioxide in the soil. However, the study does not explain why the lands were abandoned. “The next step is to figure out the drivers,” Lark notes.

Original Story at news.wisc.edu

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Mississippi River Faces Persistent Saltwater Intrusion, Region Seeks Long-Term Solutions



For the third consecutive year, the Mississippi River is experiencing significant saltwater intrusion, prompting local communities and environmental experts to search for sustainable solutions. This recurring issue arises as the river’s flow decreases, allowing saltwater to move upstream and threaten drinking water supplies. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively involved in addressing this problem, employing temporary measures like saltwater barriers to mitigate the impact on affected areas.



Saltwater infiltration poses serious risks to public health and agriculture, as freshwater sources become compromised. The situation is exacerbated by prolonged periods of drought, which have reduced freshwater flow in the Mississippi River. According to the National Weather Service, drought conditions have worsened due to climate change, increasing the frequency and severity of saltwater intrusion events.



Local authorities are collaborating with federal agencies to explore permanent solutions. Among the proposed strategies are enhanced levee systems and improved water management techniques. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating the feasibility of long-term infrastructure projects to prevent further saltwater encroachment. Additionally, community leaders are advocating for increased funding to support these initiatives and safeguard the region’s water resources.



The impact of saltwater intrusion extends beyond drinking water concerns, affecting local ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Farmers in the region have reported crop damage due to elevated salinity levels in irrigation water. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is working with farmers to implement adaptive practices, such as planting salt-tolerant crops and improving soil management techniques.



As the Mississippi River continues to face challenges from saltwater intrusion, stakeholders emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. The ongoing threat underscores the need for comprehensive planning and investment to protect one of America’s most vital waterways from the impacts of climate change and environmental stressors.

November 19, 2024



Environmental activists have raised concerns over the fossil fuel sector’s significant impact on COP29, the latest United Nations Climate Change Conference. Activists argue that the industry’s presence diverts focus from critical climate actions.



The conference, designed to promote global climate agreements, faces criticism for allowing fossil fuel companies to participate extensively. Environmental groups claim these companies undermine efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources.



According to Climate Action Network, fossil fuel representatives have increased their lobbying activities, aiming to weaken climate policies. These industries allegedly influence negotiations, leading to watered-down commitments that fail to address the urgency of climate change effectively.



Experts suggest that the influence of these companies stems from financial contributions and longstanding relationships with decision-makers. Critics argue that this affects the conference’s ability to enforce meaningful climate change regulations.



During the event, several protests highlighted the need for transparency and a stronger focus on sustainable energy solutions. Activists are calling for increased participation of renewable energy stakeholders in future conferences.



The controversy surrounding fossil fuel involvement at COP29 underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing industrial interests with the global imperative to combat climate change.



November 19, 2024