Despite growing interest in ecosystem services and multi-functional landscapes, there are still relatively few examples of projects that assess the delivery of multiple goods and services and evaluate how multi-objective conservation strategies can improve outcomes relative to single-objective or species-centric approaches (Boody et al. 2005). Quantifying the impact of conservation on the delivery of multiple ecosystem services and habitat values requires specialized expertise and extensive data collection. Even with robust biophysical and habitat models, relating these models to impacts on individuals and communities is challenging and requires interdisciplinary approaches. In addition to modeling and data hurdles, there are implementation barriers, incentive mismatches, and conflicting policies that hinder efficient management of landscapes for ecosystem services and multiple benefits. The proposed project leverages a collaborative network of researchers at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) with expertise in a range of ecosystem service models, decision support tools, and the economic valuation provided by the Natural Capital Project (NatCap). With minimal additional investment in modeling capacity and evaluation in a well-studied watershed, the project will assess the potential tradeoffs associated with adopting a multiple-benefits approach to conservation with a focus on the delivery of ecosystem goods and services to specific beneficiaries. The work has the added benefit of building on an existing network of stakeholders and corporate partnerships where there is the potential for high uptake of results in decision-making ranging from landowners to agricultural commodity sourcing companies and suppliers. To meet project goals, we propose the following four aims: 1) Assess the tradeoffs associated with single vs. multiple objective conservation planning. 2) Integrate valuation data on the demand for public goods with biophysical metrics of environmental change. 3) Apply spatial optimization tools that consider multiple objectives and can be used to target conservation activities and best management practices (BMPs). 4) Identify the leverage points to enhance uptake of ecosystem services information by key stakeholders at local to regional scales ranging from landowners to private commodity sourcing companies. Project activities will target a heavily-modified agricultural watershed located in the Mississippi River Basin. The watershed is representative of the broader conservation challenges facing the Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) where agricultural production goals are often in conflict with preservation and restoration of remaining prairie and wetland habitats. Land use in this region affects the delivery of multiple ecosystem services including changes in flooding, water pollution, and recreation, and impacts associated with gulf hypoxia. In addition, results will be integrated into an existing network of diverse stakeholders with the potential to scale project impacts from local land managers to global commodity sourcing and supply chain corporations. Outcomes of the work will include spatial data on supply and value of multiple ecosystem services and optimized maps that can be used to determine the most efficient strategies for conservation design and delivery.
