A field of hops. Around 100,000 tons of hops are grown globally each year. Marco Verch, Flickr

Best of Landscape News 2020: Food and Livelihoods

Our pick of this year’s top stories

Food is central to our cultures, health and, indeed, life. But feeding the world is an immense industry that often depletes the planet’s resources through deforestation, soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and mass conversions of landscapes from their natural states to those designed to benefit our single species. We must transform the way we provide ourselves with the food we need, but how? This crop of stories explores different aspects of sustainable food production and how it can be transformed to reestablish harmony between human and environmental health.

What are – and aren’t – nature-based solutions?

Multinationals are increasingly harnessing nature to reach green goals, but it can be a tricky business

Small acacia trees being readied for planting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Axel Fassio, CIFOR
Small acacia trees being readied for planting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Axel Fassio, CIFOR

The forward movement of organic growth

It has taken a century to establish the organics sector. Where does it need to go now?

organic onion bulbs
Rachel Ligan, Flickr

Into the great unknown of terrestrial dark matter: fungi

What answers might lie in the 94 percent of fungi species yet unearthed

gailhampshire, Flickr

All hail the rise of the climate-smart potato

Plus, 5 facts about the humble root vegetable’s extraordinary potential

Domesticated potatoes are one of the world's oldest crops, dating back to between 8000 and 5000 BC. Johnny Jet, Flickr
Domesticated potatoes are one of the world’s oldest crops, dating back to between 8000 and 5000 BC. Johnny Jet, Flickr

A library for understanding the soils of the world

New soil spectral library addresses global food supply through advanced soil analysis

A smallholder's garden soil in Burkina Faso. Ollivier Girard, CIFOR
A smallholder’s garden soil in Burkina Faso. Ollivier Girard, CIFOR

The buzzing potential of insect farms

Why protein-rich bugs are increasingly filling feeding troughs

The head of a black soldier, fly, which is often used to convert compost into animal feed. Thomas Shahan, Flickr
The head of a black soldier, fly, which is often used to convert compost into animal feed. Thomas Shahan, Flickr

What is the effect of a pandemic on the global food supply system?

GLF Live with Lawrence Haddad

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