Conflicts between conservation and production

Recent assessments reaffirm that biodiversity continues to decline worldwide. Globally, 75% of terrestrial environments have been severely altered, 23% of land areas have seen a reduction in productivity due to land degradation, and the current rate of species extinction is tens to hundreds of times higher compared to the average over the last 10 million years. This is very concerning, since biodiversity provides crucial functions that support societies, and is a critical part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, we need to use nature's resources to to maintain healthy societies through eg. food and energy production, or utilization of natural resources for production.

Biodiversity conservation is a cross-cutting issue that is impacted by several sectors and provides multiple benefits to many parts of society. This means that decision-making about biodiversity cannot be handled well within existing expert-informed governance structures, where decisions are taken independently and within sectoral borders. To address this challenge, there is a need for novel governance approaches that take a landscape perspective and operate across sectors, seeking to derive the benefits humans needs from nature without compromising the long-term functioning of ecosystems.

Our vision is to create multifunctional landscapes that are healthy, resilient, and rich in biodiversity, while supporting diverse societal needs. Through our research, we aim to foster change by identifying barriers, exploring opportunities, addressing conflicts, and recommending actions to promote a sustainable future where nature and people thrive together.