A new study released by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago Energy Resources Center evaluates environmental and economic impacts of land use change (LUC) for land that moves in and out of cropland over decadal time periods. The study aimed to determine land use and soil organic carbon stocks on 1,000 land parcels over a 36-year period.
“As part of this study, we conducted a historical analysis going back to 1985 and found that longer time intervals need to be considered when determining the environmental and economic impacts of land use change,” lead researcher Ken Copenhaver with CropGrowr LLC and co-author of the study, noted. “Notably, this is something that current regulations are not taking into consideration.”
Using advanced satellite imagery and aerial photography, the researchers discovered their findings challenge previous studies that primarily focused on shorter time intervals, often less than 10 years, when examining LUC. Out of the 1,000 land parcels analyzed, 371 parcels that were previously identified as land use change from native grasslands remained in cropland, while 611 parcels transitioned into non-cropland. Additionally, 18 parcels were identified as non-cropland. Interviews conducted with growers in these areas, some of whom were associated with LUC parcels, revealed that the most common reasons for returning land to crop were difficulties in re-enrolling land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and reduced cattle prices. Surprisingly, increased demand was not a significant factor.
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