Ecosystem Services and Conservation

Stanford researchers are continually expanding our knowledge of the links between human well-being and healthy ecosystems. Woods advances these efforts by supporting interdisciplinary researchers as well as centers and programs like the Natural Capital Project (NatCap). This joint venture of the Stanford Woods Institute, The Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund and the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment develops new science and open-source software tools for quantifying nature’s values and assessing trade-offs associated with alternative land and water use choices. These tools help integrate conservation and human development into land and water use and investment decisions. NatCap's model engages leaders in key government agencies and corporations in the U.S. and abroad to ensure that information produced is immediately relevant for decisions. The project provides these decision-makers with cutting-edge research, a network of support, and practical approaches and tools to create solutions that benefit people and nature. Read on for highlights from the work researchers with NatCap and other Woods centers and programs are doing to help businesses, governments and other institutions make informed decisions about nature's contributions to a thriving economy and healthy society.

In The News

The Future of Virtual Reality

Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of the Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford University talks to Michael Krasny on KQED's forum.
August 25, 2014 - By , KQED

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Researchers Warn of Earth's Sixth Mass Extinction Event

Quotes Woods Senior Fellow Rodolfo Dirzo, a Stanford biology professor, on risks linked to the loss and decline of animal species
July 25, 2014 - By , Canada Journal

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Scientists Warn of Earth's Sixth Mass Extinction Event

Quotes Woods Senior Fellow Rodolfo Dirzo on the "vicious cycle" of large animal decline caused by humans' impacts on ecosystems
July 25, 2014 - By , The Economic Times (India)

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Study: Earth in the Midst of Sixth Mass Extinction

Quotes Woods Senior Fellow Rodolfo Dirzo on how animals play an important role in ecosystems that are now being threatened
July 24, 2014 - By Doyle Rice, USA Today

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