Biology@Berkeley
College of Natural Resources
Recognizing Indigenous land rights reduced deforestation in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

New research suggests formal recognition of rights of Indigenous peoples to ancestral territories could protect and restore a threatened biodiversity hotspot covering 17 states outside the Amazon.
David Ackerly reappointed for second term as Rausser College Dean

During his first five years as Dean, Ackerly has advanced student support, DEI efforts, fundraising goals, and more.
Student Spotlight: Jade Marum

The third-year environmental science major and African American studies minor recounts her experience at the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference.
Monitoring biodiversity in the post-fire Santa Cruz Mountains

ESPM professor Kip Will is leading a SPUR project to help monitor the effects of tree and underbrush removal on arthropod biodiversity in the post-fire Santa Cruz Mountains.
Rausser College faculty and affiliates among the most highly cited in their fields

The selected researchers rank in the top 1% in the number of scholarly citations worldwide over the last decade.
Would you pay more for “COVID Safe” meat?

Two recent ARE undergraduates break down their research on consumer choice and willingness to pay during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Droughts pose additional challenges to endangered Russian River coho salmon

Research led by Brian Kastl, a PhD candidate in ESPM, outlines a deadly mismatch in water flows and temperatures for young salmon headed to sea.
Farmworkers at risk for obesity, high blood pressure, say UC researchers

Led by NST cooperative extension specialist Susana Matias, the study examines the health of the people who help plant, nurture and harvest food in California.
Mapping your neighborhood emissions

Research by UC Berkeley’s CoolClimate Network helped New York Times reporters map neighborhood emissions across the United States.
Rausser College 2023 Photo contest

Contribute to telling the Rausser College story by entering our 2023 photo contest! Submit your original photos for a chance to win prizes and to have your work featured in Rausser College publications.
Teaching Kitchen course helps improve college students’ food security

The Personal Food Security and Wellness course was recently highlighted on the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Food Blog.
RIPE project receives $34 million from Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations

PMB Professor Krishna Niyogi is part of the multi-institution effort to improve the photosynthetic potential of agricultural crops.
California’s 2022 Fire Season: “A Remarkably Different Year”

Scott Stephens, professor of fire ecology in ESPM and co-director of Berkeley Forests, broke down 2022's "remarkably different" fire season for the Public Policy Institute of California.
Clean Air Act dramatically cut vehicle air pollution, but equity a concern

A new study found that the 1972 Act has driven spectacular decreases in pollution from U.S. passenger vehicles, but poses a challenge for pollution policy in low-income communities.
Student Spotlight: Ashlyn Olah

Olah, a fourth-year Society and Environment major and Master of Forestry student, shares how the Dixie Fire inspired her to pursue a career in forestry.
New Compact Genome Editors Found in Viruses

A new study from ESPM and PMB researchers has documented a variety of potential CRISPR-based genome-editing tools in viruses.
Patrick Gonzalez to lead Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity

Gonzalez, an associate adjunct professor in ESPM, brings advanced climate change science capabilities and an international perspective to the Institute.
Tim Bowles recognized for climate change leadership

The ESPM professor and Co-Director of the Berkeley Food Institute received the Climate Leadership Award at the 7th California Climate and Agriculture Summit.
Climate change threatens Sierra Nevada stream ecosystems

A team of University of California scientists found that high-mountain streams may be more vulnerable to droughts and heatwaves than previously thought.
Collective action and cooperation among users of common-pool resources

A new study co-authored by Paolo D’Odorico assesses how shared goals and information on resource levels can encourage cooperation and reduce resource depletion.