Land use and land cover (LULC) is a core integrative topic in environmental and geographic research that distinguishes between the biophysical state of the Earth’s surface (land cover) and the human purposes or activities applied to that surface (land use). Scientifically, LULC analysis relies heavily on remote sensing, GIS, and classification schemes (e.g., distinguishing forest, cropland, urban, wetlands) to quantify spatial patterns and temporal dynamics. It is central to studying ecosystem processes, carbon and water cycles, biodiversity, and anthropogenic impacts, and underpins models of climate change, land degradation, habitat fragmentation, and sustainable spatial planning.
A new study finds that coastal forest loss in North Carolina's Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula began accelerating after 2010 and may still be speeding up. The study also found that North Carolina lost more than 20% of its coastal ...
Environment
Oct 5, 2026
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29
Birds are not only beautiful to look at and listen to; they also play important roles in nature. They eat pests and disperse seeds. They are generally considered indicators of a healthy environment. When birds thrive, soil ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 29, 2026
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64
Using solar energy is good for the environment, but look down, and the grass isn't always greener. Solar farms can generate massive amounts of renewable energy, but when they're built in natural areas, they change the growing ...
Ecology
Sep 29, 2026
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11
Food in Senegal is mostly grown on small-scale, rain-dependent farms, leaving much of the population vulnerable to climate shocks, according to the World Food Programme. However, satellite crop-mapping technologies designed ...
Agriculture
Sep 29, 2026
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18
Cities trying to cool sweltering streets often set broad tree canopy targets. But those targets can overlook the reality that not all shade is equally useful, and not every neighborhood has room for more trees.
Environment
Sep 25, 2026
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31
In northeastern North America, a stretch of mountains runs 500 miles (800 kilometers) from the Adirondacks in New York to the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec. Nearly 70 million people live within a day's drive of one of ...
Earth Sciences
Sep 25, 2026
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48
During the heat wave of 2018, meadows and pastures also suffered from drought. Are grasslands in diverse landscapes more resilient to yield losses than those in monotonous regions? Researchers at the University of Bonn, led ...
Ecology
Sep 24, 2026
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9
Wildfires can spread fastest when they tear through areas of dry vegetation. In contrast, vegetation that contains a lot of moisture can slow a wildfire's advance and give firefighting crews precious time to contain the blaze.
Environment
Sep 24, 2026
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11
The eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano in early September 2026 had effects far beyond the rumbling ground and ash that blanketed nearby areas.
Environment
Sep 24, 2026
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16
Recent drops in Brazil's deforestation have been celebrated as a historic achievement. Forest loss in the Amazon fell by 23.5% in 2025 compared with the previous year. This drop contributed to a 21% national reduction in ...
Environment
Sep 22, 2026
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14
