A comprehensive study from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology highlights how more than 80 percent of usable land worldwide is essential for human well being and the maintenance of biodiversity. Human activity is increasingly placing this vital land at risk, threatening the delicate balance that supports ecosystems and people alike.
The research, published in Nature Communications, shows that roughly half of the planet’s land area outside Antarctica sustains most of nature’s services for people at current levels while supporting biodiversity across about 27,000 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. However, only about 18 percent of this land is adequately protected, underscoring gaps in conservation that could impact long term ecological and human health. The findings emphasize that protecting natural systems is not a luxury but a foundation for resilience in food, water, climate regulation and livelihoods.
Lead author Rachel Neugarten, a doctoral student at the Cornell Lab, stresses that biodiversity, climate stability and sustainable development are tightly linked. Protecting nature also means safeguarding critical human benefits such as clean drinking water, carbon storage, crop pollination, flood defense, coastal protection and more, all of which bolster well being and security for communities around the world.
Several press notes accompany the study, underscoring the need to consider nature’s contributions when planning for growth. As stated by the researchers, nature’s services are integral to human life, and the loss or degradation of these services can have cascading effects on health, economy and social stability. A broader view of land use is required to balance development with conservation goals and to ensure that essential services remain reliable for future generations.
Another key message from the study is the scale of potential for development in areas that deliver ecosystem services. These areas are often targeted for agriculture, renewable energy projects, mining, oil and gas extraction, and expanding urban areas. That potential, coupled with relatively limited protected regions, calls for innovative approaches that integrate sustainable use with multifunctional landscape planning, ensuring that growth does not outpace the ability of ecosystems to recover and adapt.
Amanda Rodewald of the Cornell Lab Center for Bird Population Studies notes that facing climate change, biodiversity loss and water insecurity requires strategic, multi sector action. Limited resources make it essential to address several challenges at once rather than in isolation. The study suggests that careful design can align renewable energy expansion with biodiversity conservation and the provisioning of ecosystem services for people.
According to Neugarten, renewable energy projects can coexist with conservation outcomes if planners adopt thoughtful layouts. Examples include grazing livestock beneath wind turbines or cultivating crops under solar arrays that support local pollinators. Yet there is a real risk that ambitious energy targets could undermine conservation objectives if planning is rushed or unfocused. A balanced approach is needed to maximize benefits while minimizing trade offs.
For researchers, practitioners and policymakers, the DOI for the reference work is 10.1038/s41467-023-43832-9, a marker of the study’s rigor and its contribution to ongoing discussions about sustainable futures. The findings invite ongoing collaboration across disciplines and sectors to translate ecological insights into practical, scalable solutions that support both nature and people. [Citation: Nature Communications, DOI 10.1038/s41467-023-43832-9]
Ultimately, the study challenges leaders to rethink land management, prioritizing strategies that maintain ecosystem services as a non negotiable asset. With climate pressures intensifying and natural resources under stress, protecting and restoring biodiversity becomes a core aspect of national and local planning. The goal is a future where nature sustains water supplies, stabilizes climates, supports food production, and enriches communities without compromising the health of other species that share the planet.