The Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) is jointly established by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment (iSEE), the College of ACES, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Research Themes
Agroecosystem is a comprehensive system that carbon, water, nutrient cycles are intrinsically connected, interacting with human management practices, providing critical food/energy/fiber needs for humanity and ecosystem service.
Agricultural Production
We study the complex dynamics of crop productivity, its response to management practices and environmental stresses, and its resilience to climate change.
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Carbon
Plant carbon input from residue and root exudates further drives soil carbon dynamics and microbe-mediated transformation.
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Nutrients
Nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients) cycling in the agroecosystem is a critical determinant for both agricultural production and environmental sustainability.
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Water
Water quantity and quality are crucial for agroecosystems as they impact crop productivity and are also indicators of agriculture environmental outcomes.
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Digital Replica
Could the U.S. Midwest remain as the global food basket in the next 100 years? How can we ensure co-sustainability of food production and environmental quality in this landscape?
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Solutions
ASC aims to transform our advanced use-inspired and applied basic research outcomes into different practical solutions for various stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Learn MoreIn The News
Global farmland expansion and land use emissions have been fueled by climate change, according to new study
Research co-led by ASC scientist Jessica Till explains how reduced agricultural efficiency from climate change is responsible for increasing cropland area and CO₂ emissions, creating a climate feedback loop.
New study reveals yield benefits and environmental trade-offs of corn–soy crop rotation
A comprehensive study by Ziyi Li and other ASC scientists quantifies the benefits of corn-soybean rotation, including higher yields and reduced fertilizer needs, while uncovering key environmental and economic trade-offs.
Review: Heat-resilient crops are within reach — given enough time and money
ASC Scientist Carl Bernacchi, with colleagues, reviews how advances in plant science and bioengineering can deliver heat-resilient crops.
ASC to co-lead new project targeting agricultural emissions through U.S.-Brazil collaboration
The project will model greenhouse gas emissions from intensified agriculture, supporting sustainable practices and climate policy development, with joint funding from Embrapa and ACES
ASC launches SIGMA, a joint effort focusing on Southeast Asian Agri-Food Innovation
ASC Director Kaiyu Guan participated in the Singapore Ecosperity event to launch a new joint research alliance known as SIGMA with the National University of Singapore.