Restoring ecosystem function in altered landscapes to achieve ecological sustainable development goals (2011-2013)
Abstract
The concept of 'sustainable development' underpins the long term viability of mining and agricultural production systems. However, sustainability goals are threatened by a scientific gap in our ability to diagnose and prognose ecosystem functioning. This project will develop new ways to biophysically assess landscape function associated with carbon, water and nutrient cycling using model-data assimilation methods and satellite and ground-based datasets. Analyses from the data assimilation will be integrated with spatial optimisation methods to assess the cost and benefit trade-offs associated with environmental offsets and their ability to restore ecosystem function in highly altered landscapes undergoing intense economic development.
