Improving Predictions of Climate Change–Land Use Change Interactions

Climate change and land use often interact, altering biodiversity in unexpected ways. Research into climate change–land (CC–LUC) interactions has so far focused on quantifying outcomes, rather than identifying the underlying ecological mechanisms, making it difficult to predict design appropriate conservation responses. We propose a risk-based framework further our understanding of CC–LUC interactions. By factors driving exposure vulnerability change, then examining how these are altered by (or vice versa), this will allow effects different interaction mechanisms be compared across geographic contexts, supporting efforts reduce loss from interacting stressors.