Communities worldwide rely on biodiversity and ecosystems for their livelihoods and well-being. We have changed landscapes to maximize certain ecosystem services of immediate importance, such as a reliable and inexpensive supply of food. Yet changes to the landscape, even those that seem small, can have major effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. For example, the restoration of trees and other vegetation alongside a stream can reduce pollution and greatly improve water quality. The conversion of a small piece of forest to agricultural land may result in reduced biodiversity if species lose habitat that is crucial for their movement and survival. Managing the landscape with a focus on a few species and ecosystem services can inadvertently lead to declines in other important ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Although there is a rich history of research on biodiversity and ecosystems, our understanding of the linkages between ecosystem services, biodiversity, and land use is still incomplete. This presents a challenge for decision makers who seek to manage the landscape in their region to ensure a sustainable future. As the human population continues to grow and as we confront new challenges such as climate change, decision makers at all levels will need reliable scientific information about how to manage the landscape to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The over-arching goal of our initiative is to deepen our understanding of the link between biodiversity and ecosystem services. Our research will reveal how biodiversity change alters ecosystem function and the supply of services ecosystems provide to society. This research will help managers improve decision-making by providing the tools and information they need to maintain the biodiversity required for healthy ecosystems.
This initiative is built on three separate yet closely linked research projects in the Montérégie of southern Québec. While these projects are focused on a particular region, the approaches and results will be relevant to decision makers and scientists in other settled landscapes.
Download our brochure here.
Although there is a rich history of research on biodiversity and ecosystems, our understanding of the linkages between ecosystem services, biodiversity, and land use is still incomplete. This presents a challenge for decision makers who seek to manage the landscape in their region to ensure a sustainable future. As the human population continues to grow and as we confront new challenges such as climate change, decision makers at all levels will need reliable scientific information about how to manage the landscape to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The over-arching goal of our initiative is to deepen our understanding of the link between biodiversity and ecosystem services. Our research will reveal how biodiversity change alters ecosystem function and the supply of services ecosystems provide to society. This research will help managers improve decision-making by providing the tools and information they need to maintain the biodiversity required for healthy ecosystems.
This initiative is built on three separate yet closely linked research projects in the Montérégie of southern Québec. While these projects are focused on a particular region, the approaches and results will be relevant to decision makers and scientists in other settled landscapes.
Download our brochure here.
This project is supported by:
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