How can knowing about ecosystem services improve decisions?
Modern human societies, industrial and otherwise, are altering ecosystem services at exponential rates both because of their type and magnitude of impact. Is it really possible to make a difference in today´s world? The answer is yes. The Ecosystem Services Research Program results will show how our choices impact ecosystems, their services, our needs, and the consequences of change. Through knowing this, we can make better more proactive decisions. Trade-offs are typical in environmental decisions. Improving one human value or ecosystem service can lead to negative effects on other services, such as when food production reduces biodiversity, water availability and water quality. With a better understanding of the dynamics of these ecosystem services, and recognition of broader values such as pollination, a better balance of services may be achieved by seeking alternative practices that both enhances services and minimizes loss (e.g., ensuring habitat for crop pollinators can improve o
