Landscapes that work for biodiversity and people

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Sustainable Land Management

Background:

• The Anthropocene presents a triple challenge: biodiversity loss, climate change, and unsustainable land use.
• Traditional conservation often relies on protected areas, which may not be sufficient to address these interconnected issues.
• Working lands (farmlands, forests, rangelands) offer significant potential for conservation if managed appropriately.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how biodiversity-based management of working lands can address the Anthropocene's challenges.
• To highlight the socioeconomic benefits and barriers associated with these practices.
• To identify the key drivers for transforming land management towards conservation goals.

Main Methods:

• Review of biodiversity-based management techniques including agroforestry, silvopasture, diversified farming, and ecosystem-based forest management.
• Analysis of the potential of these methods to maintain biodiversity, provide habitat connectivity, and enhance climate change resilience.
• Examination of socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of these practices.

Main Results:

• Biodiversity-based techniques on working lands can maintain biodiversity, connect habitats, and increase resilience to climate change.
• These practices can sustainably improve yields and profitability, benefiting livelihoods and food security.
• Socioeconomic challenges hinder the widespread adoption of biodiversity-based land management.

Conclusions:

• Working lands conservation, utilizing biodiversity-based approaches, creates landscapes beneficial to both nature and people.
• While incentives and regulations are important, community action and broad coalitions are crucial for transformative change in land management.
• Integrating conservation into working lands is essential for a sustainable future.