California's almond boom has ramped up water use, consumed wetlands and stressed pollinators
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 - 03:32
in Mathematics & Economics
A new study using aerial imagery across the state of California has found that converting land to grow almonds between 2007 and 2014 has led to a 27% annual increase in irrigation demands -- despite the state's historic drought. The expansion of almonds has also consumed 16,000 acres of wetlands and will likely put additional pressure on already stressed honeybee populations.