Abstract
1. Current modelling approaches to predict spatially explicit biodiversity responses to climate change mainly focus on the direct effects of climate on species. Integration of spatiotemporal land-cover scenarios is still limited. Current approaches either regard land cover as constant boundary conditions, or rely on general, typically globally defined land-use scenarios. This is problematic as it disregards the complex synergistic effects of climate and land use on biodiversity at the regional scale, as biophysical, economic, and social issues important for regional land-use decisions are also affected by climate change. To realistically predict climate impacts on biodiversity, it is therefore necessary to consider both, the direct effect of climate change on biodiversity, and its indirect effect on biodiversity via land-use change.
2. In this review and perspective paper, we outline how biodiversity models could be better integrated with regional, climate-driven land-use models. We provide an overview of empirical and modelling approaches to both land-use (LU) and biodiversity (BD) change, focusing on how integration has been attempted. We then analyse how LU and BD model properties, such as scales, inputs, and outputs, can be matched and identify potential integration challenges and opportunities.
3. We found LU integration in BD models has been frequently attempted. By contrast, integrating the role of BD in models of LU decisions is largely lacking. As a result, bi-directional effects remain largely understudied. Only few integrated LU-BD socio-ecological models have assessed climate change effects on LU and no study has yet investigated the relative contribution of direct vs. indirect effects of climate change on BD.
4. There is a large potential for model integration given the overlap on spatial scales, although challenges remain with respect to spatial scale, temporal dynamics, investigation of indirect effects, and bi-directionality, including feeding back to climate models. Efforts to better understand human decisions, eco-evolutionary dynamics, connection between terrestrial and aquatic systems, and format standardization of modelling outputs and empirical data should improve future models. Integrating biodiversity feedbacks into land-use and climate models requires modelling innovations, but should be feasible.
2. In this review and perspective paper, we outline how biodiversity models could be better integrated with regional, climate-driven land-use models. We provide an overview of empirical and modelling approaches to both land-use (LU) and biodiversity (BD) change, focusing on how integration has been attempted. We then analyse how LU and BD model properties, such as scales, inputs, and outputs, can be matched and identify potential integration challenges and opportunities.
3. We found LU integration in BD models has been frequently attempted. By contrast, integrating the role of BD in models of LU decisions is largely lacking. As a result, bi-directional effects remain largely understudied. Only few integrated LU-BD socio-ecological models have assessed climate change effects on LU and no study has yet investigated the relative contribution of direct vs. indirect effects of climate change on BD.
4. There is a large potential for model integration given the overlap on spatial scales, although challenges remain with respect to spatial scale, temporal dynamics, investigation of indirect effects, and bi-directionality, including feeding back to climate models. Efforts to better understand human decisions, eco-evolutionary dynamics, connection between terrestrial and aquatic systems, and format standardization of modelling outputs and empirical data should improve future models. Integrating biodiversity feedbacks into land-use and climate models requires modelling innovations, but should be feasible.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Authorea |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Feb 2022 |
