Beyond Reserves: A Research Agenda for Conserving Biodiversity in Human‐modified Tropical Landscapes

TLDR

Understanding tropical biodiversity requires focused study of human‑modified rural landscapes. The study proposes an integrated landscape research agenda that emphasizes biodiversity, human–environment interactions, and restoration ecology, and calls for participatory, multidisciplinary approaches to address critical knowledge gaps and promote conservation and sustainable livelihoods. The authors outline a framework that examines how landscape structure and dynamics influence biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and rural livelihoods. Effective conservation demands alliances among diverse stakeholders to co‑design programs and manage human‑modified landscapes for biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.

Abstract

ABSTRACT To truly understand the current status of tropical diversity and to forecast future trends, we need to increase emphasis on the study of biodiversity in rural landscapes that are actively managed or modified by people. We present an integrated landscape approach to promote research in human‐modified landscapes that includes the effects of landscape structure and dynamics on conservation of biodiversity, provision of ecosystem services, and sustainability of rural livelihoods. We propose research priorities encompassing three major areas: biodiversity, human–environment interactions, and restoration ecology. We highlight key areas where we lack knowledge and where additional understanding is most urgent for promoting conservation and sustaining rural livelihoods. Finally, we recommend participatory and multidisciplinary approaches in research and management. Lasting conservation efforts demand new alliances among conservation biologists, agroecologists, agronomists, farmers, indigenous peoples, rural social movements, foresters, social scientists, and land managers to collaborate in research, co‐design conservation programs and policies, and manage human‐modified landscapes in ways that enhance biodiversity conservation and promote sustainable livelihoods.