In order to meet the rising global demand for food, feed, and fibre, significant production increases in agriculture are necessary. However, climate change, soil degradation, nutrient shortages, and growing scarcity of irrigation water jeopardize future increases in agricultural production. The goal of this research domain is to advance the understanding of human-environment interactions in rural areas of transition countries in order to identify pathways that facilitate sustainable use of soil and water resources. Topics in this research domain include, among others, quantification of agricultural production potentials, causes and determinants of land-use change, effects of climate change on agriculture, as well as interrelationships between agricultural production and land degradation.