research overview
- We apply cutting-edge statistics and data science to solve problems in development for a better and fairer planet. You can find out more about our work here www.ziamehrabi.com.
- Contact Info
Mehrabi, Zia
Positions
- Faculty Fellow, College of Engineering and Applied Science
- Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies
Research Areas
Research
Publications
selected publications
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journal article
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Assessing the Performance of Satellite-Based Models for Crop Yield Estimation in the Canadian Prairies.
Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing.
2023
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Likely decline in the number of farms globally by the middle of the century.
Nature Sustainability.
949-954.
2023
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Against the odds: Network and institutional pathways enabling agricultural diversification.
One Earth.
479-491.
2023
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Sims-style ‘digital twin’ models can tell us if food systems will weather crises.
Nature.
189-189.
2023
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How can machine learning help in understanding the impact of climate change on crop yields?.
Environmental Research Letters.
2023
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Matches and mismatches between the global distribution of major food crops and climate suitability.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
2022
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Food security: embed equity in new targets.
Nature.
472-472.
2022
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Research priorities for global food security under extreme events.
One Earth.
756-+.
2022
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On the relative importance of climatic and non-climatic factors in crop yield models.
Climatic Change: an interdisciplinary, international journal devoted to the description, causes and implications of climatic change.
2022
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Functional connectivity of the world's protected areas.
Science.
1101-+.
2022
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Shifting baselines and biodiversity success stories.
Nature.
E17-E18.
2022
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How to buffer against an urban food shortage.
Nature.
175-176.
2021
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Digital technology helps remove gender bias in academia.
Scientometrics: an international journal for all quantitative aspects of the science of science, communication in science and science policy.
4073-4081.
2021
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More farms, less specialized landscapes, and higher crop diversity stabilize food supplies.
Environmental Research Letters.
055015-055015.
2021
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Higher yields and more biodiversity on smaller farms.
Nature Sustainability.
651-657.
2021
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Working landscapes need at least 20% native habitat.
Conservation Letters.
2021
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The global divide in data-driven farming.
Nature Sustainability.
154-160.
2020
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Hunger in Africa: get the costing right.
Nature.
500-500.
2020
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A scoping review of research funding for small-scale farmers in water scarce regions.
Nature Sustainability.
836-844.
2020
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Livestock policy for sustainable development.
Nature Food.
160-165.
2020
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Food system collapse.
Nature Climate Change.
16-17.
2020
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TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access.
Global Change Biology.
119-188.
2020
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Synchronized failure of global crop production.
Nature Ecology and Evolution.
780-786.
2019
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The challenge of feeding the world while conserving half the planet.
Nature Sustainability.
409-412.
2018
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Smallholders need access to big-data agronomy too.
Nature.
30-30.
2018
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Protecting the origins of coffee to safeguard its future.
Nature Plants.
2017
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Restoration: avoid arbitrary baselines.
Nature.
469-469.
2016
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Assessing the Performance of Satellite-Based Models for Crop Yield Estimation in the Canadian Prairies.
Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing.
2023
Teaching
courses taught
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ENVS 1000 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
Primary Instructor - Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
This course provides students with an introduction to natural science topics and skill sets necessary to address multi-dimensional human-environment interactions. Students will survey biological and physical science aspects of environmental change, examining ecological, biological, chemical, and technological factors that influence the quality of life on Earth. The focus of the class is on developing a stronger science-based understanding of Earth�s environmental systems and how they are altered by human activity. Required for ENVS majors. -
ENVS 4800 - Capstone: Critical Thinking in Environmental Studies
Primary Instructor - Fall 2021 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Examines a specific environmental topic in depth, synthesizing information from complex and controversial issues. Different course sections present different topics. Fulfills capstone requirement for Environmental Studies major. Recommended prerequisites: ENVS 1000 and ENVS 3020.
Background
education and training
- Ph.D., Oxford Univ (England) 2016
- B.A., Oxford Univ (England) 2011