At the request of the Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) and the Soil Conservation Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture), the Board on Agriculture and Renewable Resources of the Commission on Natural Resources agreed to undertake a multidisciplinary study of the impact of emerging agricultural trends (including those in forestry and aquaculture) on fish and wildlife habitat. In addition to requesting assistance in developing policies and strategies that will minimize the negative impacts on fish and wildlife habitat and make the most of the positive ones, the sponsoring agencies also expressed concern about the environmental impacts of various agricultural practices. Hence, the Environmental Studies Board of the Commission on Natural Resources participated in the early deliberations on this study.