Linking Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing in Systematic Conservation Assessments of Working Landscapes

Patrick R. Huber (), Matthew Baker, Allan D. Hollander, Matthew Lange, Daphne Miller, James F. Quinn, Courtney Riggle and Thomas P. Tomich
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Patrick R. Huber: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Matthew Baker: Planning and Conservation League, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
Allan D. Hollander: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Matthew Lange: International Center for Food Ontology Operability Data and Semantics (IC-FOODS), Davis, CA 95616, USA
Daphne Miller: Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
James F. Quinn: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Courtney Riggle: International Center for Food Ontology Operability Data and Semantics (IC-FOODS), Davis, CA 95616, USA
Thomas P. Tomich: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: Systematic land use planning to address environmental impacts does not typically include human health and wellbeing as explicit inputs. We tested the effects of including issues related to human health, ecosystem services, and community wellbeing on the outputs of a standard land use planning process which is primarily focused on environmental variables. We consulted regional stakeholders to identify the health issues that have environmental links in the Sacramento, California region and to identify potential indicators and datasets that can be used to assess and track these issues. Marxan planning software was used to identify efficient land use patterns to maximize both ecological conservation and human health outcomes. Outputs from five planning scenarios were compared and contrasted, resulting in a spatially explicit series of tradeoffs across the scenarios. Total area required to meet imputed goals ranged from 10.4% to 13.4% of the total region, showing somewhat less efficiency in meeting biodiversity goals when health outcomes are included. Additionally, we found 4.8% of residential areas had high greening needs, but this varied significantly across the six counties. The work provides an example of how integrative assessment can help inform management decisions or stakeholder negotiations potentially leading to better management of the production landscapes in food systems.

Keywords: conservation planning; human health; Marxan; biodiversity; land use; smart foodsheds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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