Integrated modeling of nature’s role in human well-being: A research agenda

Aug 12, 2024

Integrated assessment models that incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem services could be an important tool for improving our understanding of interconnected social-economic-ecological systems, and for analyzing how policy alternatives can shift future trajectories towards more sustainable development. Despite recent scientific and technological advances, key gaps remain in the scientific community’s ability to deliver information to decision-makers at the pace and scale needed to address sustainability challenges. We identify five research frontiers for integrated social-economic-ecological modeling (primarily focused on terrestrial systems) to incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem services: 1) downscaling impacts of direct and indirect drivers on ecosystems; 2) incorporating feedbacks in ecosystems; 3) linking ecological impacts to human well-being, 4) disaggregating outcomes for distributional equity considerations, and 5) incorporating dynamic feedbacks of ecosystem services on the social-economic system. We discuss progress and challenges along each of these five frontiers and the science-policy linkages needed to move new research and information into action.

Dr Aline Soterroni was a co-author of this paper. Click on the publication link for the full author list.

Publication details
Theme(s)
Net zero & sustainable development
Type(s)
Research paper
Author(s)
Soterroni, Aline
Year(s)
2024
Global Environmental Change

Latest news

UK Government Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets policy consolidates action on nature and climate, but risks compromising urgent mitigation of climate change and preventing and repairing nature loss, say ONZ researchers
UK Government Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets policy consolidates action on nature and climate, but risks compromising urgent mitigation of climate change and preventing and repairing nature loss, say ONZ researchers

Oxford, 23 June 2025 Researchers from the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, Oxford Net Zero and Oxford Sustainable Finance Group have submitted feedback to the UK Government’s ‘Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets: Raising Integrity’ ... Read more

Job opening: Serviced Emissions Research & Engagement Manager
Job opening: Serviced Emissions Research & Engagement Manager

The Oxford Net Zero Engagement Team is recruiting for a Serviced Emissions Research & Engagement Manager. This pivotal role will lead a high-impact initiative focused on advancing the understanding and integration of “serviced emissions” ... Read more

New Oxford Report: Carbon Capture and Storage Without Taxpayer Billions Is Possible
New Oxford Report: Carbon Capture and Storage Without Taxpayer Billions Is Possible

Oxford Net Zero and Carbon Balance researchers reveal the risks of the current UK CCS policy mix and explore how a carbon storage mandate on fossil fuel producers could help the UK meet its climate targets while protecting public finances A ... Read more

See more news and events