Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

The changing pressures on global croplands

H. Charles J. Godfray, Joseph Poore, Hannah Ritchie

One Earth · 2025

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Summary

This 2025 synthesis examines the evolving and often conflicting pressures reshaping global cropland systems, integrating evidence on climate change, food security imperatives, biodiversity conservation, and resource limitations. The authors analyse how these converging constraints force difficult trade-offs in land management and production strategy, with implications for food system resilience. The work appears designed as a policy-relevant evidence synthesis to support policymakers navigating competing demands on agriculture.

UK applicability

The analysis of resource constraints (water, nutrients) and biodiversity–production trade-offs will be relevant to UK farmland policy and land-use planning, particularly in the context of Environment Land Management schemes and net-zero commitments. However, specific applicability depends on the extent to which the paper addresses temperate climate systems and UK-scale agricultural economics.

Key measures

Qualitative analysis of competing pressures; land allocation trade-offs; production constraints; resource availability (water, nutrients)

Outcomes reported

The paper synthesises evidence on converging pressures (climate change, food security, biodiversity conservation, water and nutrient limitations) reshaping global cropland management. The analysis documents trade-offs and constraints in land allocation and agricultural production strategy across diverse farming systems.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Food & agricultural policy
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101492
Catalogue ID
BFmovbmmgv-frxhp5

Topic tags

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