Food, soil, water & agriculture
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
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.
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.
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.
Sustainable Farms draws upon research programs across the Australian National University, focussing on three key research topics: Healthy Farms, Healthy Farmers, and Healthy Profits.
The project aims to find means of meeting the African government’s plans for greater food security while using limited water resources more sustainably.
Projects
Members
Academic staff
Lecturer
Professor
Fellow
Associate Professor
Affiliate
Honorary Associate Professor
Honorary Senior Lecturer
Emeritus Professor
Emeritus Professor
News
Melbourne's drinking water is being put at risk by "widespread" illegal logging near water catchment areas, Australian National University scientists say.
We are offering a number of PhD opportunities in ecology and biodiversity conservation, including studies on the reintroduction of threatened species, and the ecology of urban or agricultural systems.
Are you interested in the role of biodiversity in supporting agriculture? Here is an opportunity to conduct research on aspects of crop pollination by bees in Australian agriculture, at the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University.
The Fenner School of Environment and Society is offering a couple of PhD programs (Ecologist and Social scientist) working with the interdisciplinary team of researchers at the Sustainable Farms initiative. The program focuses on investigating the biodiversity and sustainability of farmland ecosystems.
About 92,000 kilograms of kangaroo carcass has ended up at the tip after the most recent cull wrapped up on Friday. Fenner academics Dr George Wilson and Dr David Lindenmayer offer their expert opinions to the Canberra Times, stating more needs to be done to prevent such a waste of viable meat.
Fenner in the News - 'Not adequate': experts rate Australian political response to extinction crisis
Associate Professor Philip Gibbons gives his thoughts on the major political parties environmental platforms and promises ahead of the 2019 Australian Federal Election in this article in the Guardian.
Events
Managing farm dams, freshwater wetlands, and wastewater lagoons for carbon and biodiversity benefits
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.