Over the last century technological and institutional innovations have dramatically raised global food production capacity, causing the specter of Malthusian famine to recede, although the challenge of equitable food distribution remains. However, a neo-Malthusian pessimism suggests that while food production potential may keep pace with population, our capacity to maintain environmental integrity may not. This article examines the connections between population, agriculture, and natural resource management. A broad overview of land-quality issues is presented. The example of land management under population pressure in tropical hillsides is then used to analyze the sustainability of agricultural production and the maintenance of environmental services. Somewhat surprisingly, the evidence indicates that the effect of population on land quality is indeterminate, with other economic and institutional factors being more significant in determining outcomes.
