Journal Article

Global trends in nature’s contributions to people

author(s)

Brauman, Kate A.

themes
  • Multifunctional landscapes
original file download
full citation

Brauman, K.A.; Garibaldi, L.A.; Polasky, S.; Aumeeruddy-Thomas, Y.; Brancalion, P.H.S.; DeClerck, F.; Jacob, U.; Mastrangelo, M.E.; Nkongolo, N.V.; Palang, H.; Pérez-Méndez, N.; Shannon, L.J.; Shrestha, U.B.; Strombom, E.; Verma, M. (2020) Global trends in nature’s contributions to people. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (USA) (Online first: 07 December 2020) ISSN: 0369-8203

Understanding and tracking nature’s contributions to people provides critical feedback that can improve our ability to manage earth systems effectively, equitably, and sustainably. Declines in biodiversity and ecosystem functions over the past 50 y have decreased the ability of nature to contribute to quality of life. Changes in technology and adaptation in social systems has partially offset the negative impacts of environmental change on quality of life, but downward trends have still occurred for many categories of nature’s contributions.