May 30, 2014

Ecosystem Services: Looking Forward to Mid-Century



Research by Bren professor projects land-use changes up to 2051 and examines options for auctions that provide incentives for landowners

 As population grows, society needs more — more energy, more food, more paper, more housing, more of nearly everything. Meeting those needs can lead to changes in how land is used.

Native grasslands, forests and wetlands may be converted into croplands, tree plantations, residential areas and commercial developments. Those conversions can, in turn, diminish the health of natural ecosystems and their ability to provide an array of valuable services, such as clean air and water, wildlife and opportunities for recreation, to name a few.