Research by Bren professor projects land-use changes up to
2051 and examines options for auctions that provide incentives for landowners
As population grows,
society needs more — more energy, more food, more paper, more housing, more of
nearly everything. Meeting those needs can lead to changes in how land is used.
Native grasslands, forests and wetlands may be converted
into croplands, tree plantations, residential areas and commercial
developments. Those conversions can, in turn, diminish the health of natural
ecosystems and their ability to provide an array of valuable services, such as
clean air and water, wildlife and opportunities for recreation, to name a few.