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.
New research from the University of Cambridge offers an easy and readily available solution using AI and satellite data. In a paper published in the journal Science of Remote Sensing, researchers used embeddings by Tessera, ...
Environment
Jul 29, 2026
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Whether a region manages its land sustainably cannot be measured by land-use change alone. Sustainability is a delicate balance: it must be ecologically sound, legally secure and socially just. Yet capturing this interplay ...
Environment
Jul 28, 2026
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By analyzing 100,000 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection inspection records from 2013 to 2024, researchers at the University of California, Irvine have identified the key environmental and human factors ...
Environment
Jul 27, 2026
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For decades, satellites have helped scientists observe Earth's changing landscapes. Now, they could also help answer one of agriculture's most pressing questions: How can the world produce more food while reducing its environmental ...
Biotechnology
Jul 27, 2026
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Northern Eurasia contains about 20% of the world's forests and plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide, thereby acting as a major carbon sink. However, understanding the region's ...
Environment
Jul 26, 2026
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Swidden agriculture—often called "slash-and-burn"—has been practiced on every inhabited continent throughout human history, and for decades it has been blamed for the destruction of the world's rainforests. However, a new ...
Environment
Jul 25, 2026
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In many urban areas, low-income neighborhoods have more mosquitoes, making residents more vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases. A new study co-authored by scientists at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies found that invasive, ...
Ecology
Jul 21, 2026
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Approximately 90% of the U.S. population relies on public water systems. A significant portion of the water supplying those systems comes from forested lands, which means policies affecting forests also affect water access.
Environment
Jul 16, 2026
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Tropical forests are essential for biodiversity, climate regulation and carbon storage. Yet they continue to disappear at an alarming rate. Many companies have adopted zero-deforestation commitments to reduce this trend. ...
Environment
Jul 15, 2026
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Wetlands have shaped human life in Europe since ancient times. These ecosystems provided essential resources and safe havens for plants and animals, and in many regions they also held spiritual and ritual significance. For ...
Earth Sciences
Jul 15, 2026
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