Research
Climate change could limit the use of controlled burns by 2060
A recent study co-authored by Kristen Shive found that climate change would result in fewer overall days when prescribed fires can be safely lit.
Quantifying the risk reduction value of soil health
Agroecology professor Tim Bowles and colleagues are working to conduct a data-driven valuation of the risk mitigation of improved soil health.
A rainy season wake-up call for bacteria
ESPM researchers Jill Banfield, Mary Firestone, and Ella Sieradzki detail new links between soil viruses and carbon emissions.
Addressing the health hazards of climate change
Professor Rachel Morello-Frosch is working to mitigate the effect of flood-related contamination on some of the state's most marginalized communities.
Racial gap in air quality may persist under Biden program, study finds
Omitting racial demographics from a new evaluative tool may hamper the Biden administration's efforts to address environmental inequalities.
Quantifying the strength of the land carbon sink
As climate change threatens land-based ecosystems, a new paper from ESPM researchers highlights the role they play in offsetting human carbon emissions.
Managing the Eel River’s pikeminnow problem
A new project overseen by research scientist Gabe Rossi and postdoc Phil Georgakakos could contribute to salmonid recovery in northern California.
Leveraging critical race theory to produce equitable climate change adaptation
A new article by PhD student Kieren Rudge suggests critical race theory can advance climate justice better than the status quo.
Q&A: Water as a Human Right
In a recent Q&A Professor Michael Mascarenhas discusses the political, social, and economic factors that cause inequities in access to safe and affordable water.
Ground Rules
Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension Kristin Dobbin is working to make sure that California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act takes rural drinking water users into account.
Indigenous science is key to adapting to climate change
UC Berkeley and the Karuk Tribe use Indigenous and western science to cultivate resilient food systems under changing climate conditions.
Breaking down climate policy’s political barriers
A review of climate policy found that politics should not be seen only as a constraint but also be recognized as a target of intervention to advance environmental solutions.
Air quality improvements from EVs concentrated in wealthy areas
A new study suggests that existing environmental inequalities may worsen as motorists continue to adopt these cleaner alternatives.
Residents’ water security concerns could spur climate adaptations
In a survery of California households led by assistant professor of Cooperative Extension Kristin Dobbin, 85% of respondents reported that they were concerned about long-term reliability of their water supply.
Patina K. Mendez on "Why I Do Science"
ESPM continuing lecturer Patina K. Mendez discusses what she loves about research and teaching in Breakthroughs magazine.
Monitoring the recovery of freshwater ecosystems in Pinnacles National Park
Recent research from the lab of professor Albert Ruhi shows that the moist subsurface area below the dry creek bed served as a refuge for insects during the dry season.
Following the Flow
ESPM researchers advance knowledge of California’s sensitive freshwater ecosystems.
The Future of Water
Five ESPM faculty members are featured in this Breakthroughs magazine story about how climate change is altering the water cycle.
Wetland restoration helps California combat climate change
Restoring 1,200 acres of the Dutch Slough can offset the carbon emissions of 1,000 cars per year, according to UC Berkeley research.
Improving wildlife restoration outcomes through community engagement
A first-of-its-kind study by UC Berkeley researchers found that wildlife restoration efforts are more likely to succeed if conservationists partner with local communities.