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First page of Land, Food, and Biodiversity Agriculture currently occupies over 40% of Earth's land area and consumes 70% of available freshwater. Production systems have increased food output in recent decades by improving crop yields. These increases have had consequences such as reduction in the quality of species' habitats through changes in land use, fragmentation of natural land cover, and depletion of soil and water resources. Growth of the human population, projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, and economic development in many emerging markets such as Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia will require food production to increase 70% beyond 2011 levels. Indeed, per capita demand for food products is increasing because the economies in highly populated countries such as China and India are growing. Additionally, there is an increasing reliance on agriculture to provide not only food and fiber for this growing population, but energy and renewable materials such as plant-based packaging materials. All this means that pressure to increase conversion of land from natural land cover to agriculture will continue to grow. At the same time, levels of food security, malnutrition, and food emergencies are on the rise as weather events and social and economic disruptions reduce food availability. As a result, we are entering a period of demand-driven agriculture. This period will be marked by increased food prices, periodic shortages, market volatility, regional water scarcity, and the conversion of tropical lands to agriculture to meet society's needs for food, clothing, and fuel. Land and water are becoming scarce resources. Overlay these realities with the potential effects of climate change on agricultural production and it is clear we are also entering a period of uncertainty in agriculture. Production areas may very well shift, and indeed some agriculture sectors have already begun this migration due to scarce water resources and increasing regulatory requirements regarding water use. Although many stakeholders are discussing production practices- organic versus conventional, smallholder versus large corporations, genetic modification technology versus natural breeding- the real challenge will be to minimize land conversion. Effects on biological diversity can be mitigated through efficient use of land, water, and agricultural inputs. The use of degraded lands, improved irrigation technology, proper use of inputs such as fertilizers, and better management practices can increase yields on existing cultivated areas. Balancing the use of land and water with the need to conserve biological diversity will be among the greatest challenges that confront society.