Researchers used the Lawson Aerator to evaluate the effectiveness of a mechanical treatment to renovate rangelands.
Natural Resources & Sustainable Agricultural Systems
ARS’s Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems (NRSAS) program provides innovative solutions that ensure sustainable food production while also protecting our natural resources, leading to agricultural production systems that adapt to changing climate and are sustainable for future generations. NRSAS supports researchers in developing the technologies and strategies needed to help farmers, ranchers, and other natural resource managers effectively steward the diverse agricultural ecosystems across the Nation.
In This Section
Row, Row Your Boat Gently Down the Stream
A novel approach for determining the effectiveness of conservation practices in reducing nitrate losses.
Recharging Water Supplies
Pumping groundwater from local aquifers to irrigate crops has increased yields but is steadily reducing the supply of available water for future use.
Helping Promote Food Security on Tribal Lands
Researchers worked with the Quapaw tribe to create high-resolution digital maps of soil properties for their tribal lands.
Improved Irrigation Management Tool
To support efficient water management, ARS researchers developed an open-source model, pyfao56, for precise crop water management.
Undercutting Wildfire
A team of researchers has combined satellite data with virtual fencing to turn ordinary livestock grazing into a powerful tool to reduce wildfire risk.
Environmental Sustainability of U.S. Beef
ARS, the University of Arkansas and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, led a study to identify environmental impacts from U.S. beef production.
Reducing Ammonia Emissions and Phosphorus Runoff
Study finds ammonium nitrate had 34% lower yield compared to poultry litter treated with alum.
Curbing Greenhouse Gases From Crop Fields
A team from ARS and the University of Minnesota tested soil additives containing nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in a 3-year field study.