Research
Berkeley researchers present plan for freshwater conservation
As the 30x30 conservation initiative gains momentum around the world, Rausser College researchers call for a focus on rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Climate change, urbanization drive major declines in L.A.’s birds
In a study published today in Science Advances, ESPM researchers reveal how land use change has amplified—and in some cases mitigated—the impacts of climate change on bird populations in California.
In the rainforests of Borneo, people and wild pigs are fundamentally linked
A new study explores the deep ties between people and pigs in Borneo, a connection the authors say underscores the importance of understanding our broader link to nature.
Linking Water from Land to Sea Level Rise
In an interview with NASA, Manuela Girotto explains how she merges satellite measurements and computer models to gauge how water flowing off the land might affect future sea level rise.
Monitoring biodiversity in the post-fire Santa Cruz Mountains
ESPM professor Kip Will is leading a SPUR project to help monitor the effects of tree and underbrush removal on arthropod biodiversity in the post-fire Santa Cruz Mountains.
Droughts pose additional challenges to endangered Russian River coho salmon
Research led by Brian Kastl, a PhD candidate in ESPM, outlines a deadly mismatch in water flows and temperatures for young salmon headed to sea.
California’s 2022 Fire Season: “A Remarkably Different Year”
Scott Stephens, professor of fire ecology in ESPM and co-director of Berkeley Forests, broke down 2022's "remarkably different" fire season for the Public Policy Institute of California.
New Compact Genome Editors Found in Viruses
ESPM and PMB researchers have identified a variety of potential CRISPR-based genome-editing tools in viruses, according to new findings published in Cell.
Collective action and cooperation among users of common-pool resources
A new study co-authored by Paolo D’Odorico assesses how shared goals and information on resource levels can encourage cooperation and reduce resource depletion.
Climate change threatens Sierra Nevada stream ecosystems
A team of University of California scientists found that high-mountain streams may be more vulnerable to droughts and heatwaves than previously thought.
Study highlights the complexity of dryland dynamics under a changing climate
ESPM Professor Paolo D’Odorico is co-author of a review published in today the journal Nature Climate Change.
Getting to Carbon Negative
In the fall Breakthroughs magazine on the bioeconomy, faculty members Matthew Potts, Van Butsic, and Dan Sanchez spoke about their work scaling markets for carbon capture, storage, and management.
Widespread forest disturbances hold potentially grave consequences for wildlife
A new study by Rausser College faculty and the U.S. Forest Service suggests mature forest habitats in California may be susceptible to complete loss without intervention.
Like the Borg of Star Trek, these ‘aliens’ assimilate DNA from other microbes
Professor Jill Banfield and PhD candidate Jacob West-Roberts have helped identify a new transferrable DNA structure that appears to play a role in balancing atmospheric methane.
Why some countries are leading the shift to green energy
A study appearing in Science, co-authored by ESPM professor Jonas Meckling, identifies the political factors that allow some countries to take the lead while others lag behind.
Study finds potentially dangerous levels of arsenic in prison drinking water
ESPM alum Alasdair Cohen was co-author on an analysis of water quality data from California’s Kern Valley State Prison and neighboring rural communities.
New research identifies patterns of carbon accumulation in planted forests
Research by former ESPM PhD student Jacob Bukoski and Professor Matthew D. Potts might serve as the building blocks for carbon sequestration studies.
Understanding the function of plant diversity in wetland ecosystems
A first-of-its-kind analysis by ESPM Professor Iryna Dronova found that plant diversity plays a key role in improving seasonal biomass stability.
Debunking the myths that discourage public funding of clean energy
New commentary led by ESPM Professor Jonas Meckling urges governments to spur decarbonization by moving beyond the myths surrounding public investment in clean energy that discourage the use of public funds.
How Agricultural Power Structures Inform Rural Responses to Climate Change
ESPM PhD candidate Margiana Petersen-Rockney speaks with the Daily Yonder about how climate change messaging–or the lack thereof–by farm service providers affects rural communities.
