06 April 2017
Biodiversity intactness, ecosystem health, food production and security: An assessment of the impacts of major infrastructure projects in South Africa
The focus of this two-year research is on Africa but touches on an issue of global relevance. Many countries in Africa rely on foreign direct investments for significant large-scale infrastructural development. However, such development can pose severe and critical trade-offs for biodiversity, ecosystem health and landscape services supporting human populations. If not mitigated, the fragmentation of natural landscapes by intensifying infrastructure development can cause spiraling biodiversity loss and disruption of ecosystem function, to the point of functional collapse of natural ecosystems, widespread degradation of biodiversity value, and significant costs for ecosystem health. When this happens, human social and economic well-being are impaired, and while short-term economic benefits may accrue to society, long-term costs may outweigh these.
The research objective is on identifying indicators that allow linking the socio-economic impact of infrastructure development on biodiversity intactness and natural capital under climate change.
Biodiversity Futures Program
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313