Sustainable Development Planning
Through investments of more than US$150 billion in conservation and development initiatives since 2000, China has established the highest rate of reforestation worldwide, while alleviating poverty in rural inland regions.
Identified reforestation areas based on ecosystem services and their benefits to people. Co-developed and applied the Restoration Opportunities Optimization Tool (ROOT), an ecosystem service software tool, to identify restoration opportunities that provide the greatest benefits at the lowest cost. Published the analysis for these 6 cities as part of The Nature Conservancy's 2017 report titled Beyond the Source: The environmental
Assessing the regional planning implications of Ecosystem Function Conservation Area (EFCA) designations in Hainan Island, a high value biodiversity and ecosystem service provision area that is rich in rubber plantations critical for local livelihoods. Partner: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Informing development of a new planned road from Dawei, Myanmar to Thailand, and quantifying and mapping natural capital across the nation to support development and implementation of the country’s Green Economy strategy. Also, mapping threats to natural capital from potential investments through China's Belt and Road Initiative. Partner: WWF
The Belizean government used InVEST to engage stakeholders and devise a plan that improves coastal protection, tourism and lobster revenues, while also reducing human impacts on coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
Now other countries are looking to do the same.
Identified reforestation areas based on ecosystem services and their benefits to people. Co-developed and applied the Restoration Opportunities Optimization Tool (ROOT), an ecosystem service software tool, to identify restoration opportunities that provide the greatest benefits at the lowest cost. Partners: International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN).
Assessing the potential for the Pucallpa-Cruzeiro do Sul road to be developed with no net loss of natural capital and for mitigation measures to secure ecosystem services for local communities in a socially equitable way. Partner: The Nature Conservancy.
Developed Mapping Ecosystem Services to Human well-being (MESH), a tool for calculating and mapping ecosystem services under different landscape management scenarios.
Assessing the benefits and trade-offs of integrated systems for livestock performance, wildlife health, tick-borne disease risk, and related impacts to livelihoods through livestock and tourism income.
Developed a tool to prioritize investments in forest landscape restoration (ROOT). We are piloting the tool in Uganda and then applying it in multiple countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Partners: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Resources Institute (WRI).
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