A researcher in a lab coat stands in a green house with potted plants.

Food, soil, water & agriculture

Food and water security are two of the biggest global challenges of our time. Our research focuses on providing reliable scientific, sociological and institutional knowledge to inform sustainable food and water policies and improve the management, use and conservation of natural resources.

About

Food and water security are two of the biggest global challenges of our time. Our research focuses on providing reliable scientific, sociological and institutional knowledge to inform sustainable food and water policies and improve the management, use and conservation of natural resources.

Groups

Two farmers setup irrigation hoses in a crop of plants in Africa.

This project aims to demonstrate that circular food systems can decouple growth in social and economic benefits from consumption of natural resources (particularly water and land) and production of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, as well as reducing urbanisation by creating local opportunities for women and youth.

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A researcher kayaks down a river in a yellow inflatable raft.

It's crucial that we as a society communicate the huge importance of this system, celebrate its majestic wonder - and continue efforts to preserve and encourage river stewardship for future generations.

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A group of researchers sit among large rocks and ferns outside a building.

We are a research group at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, led by Dr Steven Lade. We research human and planetary systems using concepts such as resilience, social-ecological systems and Earth systems with applications in water resource management, sustainable finance and more.

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A student takes notes at the edge of a dam with eucalyptus trees and kangaroos in the distance.

Sustainable Farms draws upon research programs across the Australian National University, focussing on three key research topics: Healthy Farms, Healthy Farmers, and Healthy Profits.

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Three people testing soil in an agricultural field in Africa.

The project aims to find means of meeting the African government’s plans for greater food security while using limited water resources more sustainably.

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Projects

This research looks at options for more effective conservation of freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of people and nature.

Bees are crucial for the function of many of our crops, and part of the system of producing food such as apples, almonds, berries, beans, eggplants and pumpkins.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

A range of post-grad projects that can be formulated to suit Honours, Masters or PhD. These will cover areas such as farm productivity, hydrology, ecological function, and social capital.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters, PhD students

Honours / Masters(Adv) project available analysing regional drought resilience plans in collaboration with CSIRO and the Australian Government.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters students

People

This research looks at the identifying the costs and benefits of different trade off options so that governments in particular, and societies more broadly, can take better informed decisions around water use in China & SE Asia.

People

  • David Dumaresq

Members

Academic staff

Albert stands in a woodland.

Professor

Associate Professor

Affiliate

Richard Thackway

Honorary Associate Professor

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Bob Wasson sits on a boat

Emeritus Professor

Image of Ian White

Emeritus Professor

News

A new booklet from Sustainable Farms highlights ten projects that farmers can undertake to improve the health of natural assets on farms – such as dams, shelterbelts or riparian areas.

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When the clock ticked over to 2020, Australia was in the grip of a brutal drought and unprecedented bushfires. But in the months since, while many of us were indoors avoiding the pandemic, nature has started its slow recovery. That is the message of our new analysis released today.

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A new project is open to Honours and Masters students to apply a new food systems model study the link between food production, food processing, and nutritional density across range of food stuffs from the horticulture, aquaculture and the live stock industries.

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How can we accommodate the needs of both farming and nature? Research shows us how – but it means accepting land as a finite resource, and operating within its limits. In doing so, farmers will also reap benefits.

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How can we improve storm water quality and additionally, how to make storm water channels more appealing to the community, using methods from Indigenous science?

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The ANU has been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the Federal Government to provide advice to the Australian Government on a farm biodiversity and carbon scheme.

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Events

A serene rural dam with still, dark water reflecting a blue sky and scattered white clouds. The bank in the foreground is edged with dry grasses and reeds, and contains a plastic crate holding a yellow portable pump hooked up by hoses to a floating sampling device resting on the water. On the opposite shore, gently sloping pasture is dotted with eucalyptus and other native trees under a partly cloudy sky
Friday, 22 Aug 2025, 12 - 1pm

Teal carbon ecosystems are freshwater wetlands, like lakes, ponds, farm dams and reservoirs. Equivalent to blue carbon (coastal wetlands), they can regulate greenhouse gases and mitigate the effects of climate change.

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