Our well being is fundamentally linked to healthy ecosystems. To expand our knowledge of these connections, the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment supports interdisciplinary work probing human impacts on nature and shapes new conservation paradigms. Woods convenes workshops and dialogues to expand awareness of nature’s values and ways to sustain them. These events have laid the foundation for partnerships such as the Natural Capital Project, a pioneering initiative transforming how governments and businesses factor nature’s value into decision-making. Woods works to inform those decisions by sharing findings of Stanford’s world-class biologists, ecologists, social scientists and others. Woods centers and affiliated scholars are provide cutting-edge research, support networks and practical tools to create solutions that benefit people and nature.
![[Woods Logo]](/sites/all/themes/woods/img/logo-trans-250.png){kind=logo}
Photo Credit: Adriana Velasquez/UnSplash
Highlights
Highlighting California’s Ecosystems
Paul S. and Billie Achilles Professor of Environmental Biology, Emeritus, Harold Mooney and his former student, Erika Zavaleta, Pepper-Giberson Chair in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz, co-edited Ecosystems of California, a thorough overview of the state’s varied and rich ecosystems. The book’s 149 contributors include a number of Stanford scholars. Woods facilitated briefings with key California policy and decision-makers in Sacramento and highlighted the value of the book as a resource for researchers, policymakers, natural resource managers and students. Read more.
Tracking China’s Progress
Though often noted for its environmental challenges, China has successfully implemented environmental policies and conservation science at a breathtaking scale. A Natural Capital Project, found strong gains in carbon sequestration and soil retention attributed largely to reforestation. This allowed researchers to evaluate the economic and environmental tradeoffs of China’s National Ecosystem Assessment efforts by analyzing data from satellites and other means. Read more.
Reducing Deforestation
Due to growing demand, agriculture is expanding into forest ecosystems. Because agricultural companies prefer areas where deforestation regulations are less restrictive, deforestation can shift between regions based on the regulatory environment, according to a study led by George and Setsuko Ishiyama Provostial Professor Eric Lambin (Stanford Earth). Understanding the motivations and market forces affecting companies can encourage collaboration with environmentalists to reduce deforestation according to another study by Lambin. Such efforts were found to be more than twice as effective as narrow programs developed by either group. Read more.
Integrating Nature and Business
Woods hosted the fourth in a series of Natural Capital Business Roundtables with NOAA and the U.S. Dept. of Commerce. The event brought together the private, public and academic sectors to discuss integrating natural capital into business models. Companies like HP and Google described incorporating natural capital into their operations and highlighted the need for the work of the Natural Capital Project which connects science, government and business communities with the tools and information needed to value natural capital. Read more.
Understanding Species Loss
An analysis of past large mammal extinctions by Stanford researchers showed that the disappearance of large land animals could have major and permanent impacts on associated plants and animals and even cause the loss of entire ecosystems. Species loss is also discussed in The Annihilation of Nature, co-authored by Bing Professor of Population Studies Paul Ehrlich (Biology). Proceeds from the book, which details the characteristics and likelihoods of extinction for various species, support research by young conservation biologists. Read more and watch video.
Conserving Biodiversity
Scientists found that by maintaining small patches of forest in and around farms, stakeholders can achieve most of their conservation goals while also providing benefits to agriculture and people. Climate change can also affect biodiversity, as noted in a study led by Woods Senior Fellow Eric Lambin that looks at the climate-induced die-off of Alaskan yellow cedar trees, and recommends a new model of conservation integrating social and ecological methods to forward climate adaptation. Read more.
In Print
On Camera
The Annihilation of Nature
Stanford biologist Paul Ehrlich describes the unique characteristics and chances of extinction for various species. Ehrlich's latest book, co-authored with Gerardo Ceballos and Anne Ehrlich, is The Annihilation of Nature: Human Extinction of Birds and Mammals.
In The News
Study Finds China’s Ecosystems Have Become Healthier
New report co-authored by Senior Fellow Gretchen Daily on China's efforts to restore natural habitats
-
To Save South America's Forests Harmonize Tough Environment Rules - Study
Quotes Woods-affiliated postdoctoral scholar Yann le Polain de Waroux, lead author of deforestation study.
-
Greenery (or Even Photos of Trees) Can Make Us Happier
Cites a Stanford study showing the benefits of the experience of nature co-authored by Senior Fellow Gretchen Daily (Biology)
-
New Discoveries: Bigfoot Daddy Longlegs and a Bad Bacterium
Senior Fellow Rob Jackson (earth system science) co-authors a blog on the latest newly discovered species.
-
- 1 of 6
- next ›