7-14 Communicating The Effects of Biodiversity Change

Session: Undergraduate Research, Part I (Posters)

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The purpose of this project was to present information about mammalian biodiversity change and its direct implications for human populations in a clear, accessible, and research-based format suitable for a broad audience. Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is not just a marker for ecological health. It is a cornerstone of human well-being. Every ecosystem service we depend on, from clean air and water to food security and disease regulation, is underpinned by the presence and balance of diverse species. Despite being tightly linked to climate change and producing similarly severe consequences, biodiversity change receives significantly less public attention due to the complexity of how biodiversity is defined and difficulty measuring cause-effect relationships. In contrast, climate change can be clearly measured with the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Mammal biodiversity is declining due to factors like habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and human-wildlife conflict. However, the implications of these changes for society are rarely communicated or considered holistically. 

This project identifies examples of the measurable human outcomes associated with changes in mammal populations worldwide to address how biodiversity change directly impacts human life. We synthesized fifteen peer-reviewed studies documenting consequences of mammal biodiversity change on social systems, including the effects of wolves on ecosystem function; food insecurity as a result of caribou population declines; white-tailed deer population influencing Lyme disease rates;  deer mice population booms causing Hantavirus outbreaks; and beaver-dammed wetlands enhancing wildfire resistance. Each of these cases reveals the same truth: changes in natural systems impact human well-being and can lead to public health crises, economic costs, and ecological collapse. These case studies were then summarized into short ‘talking points’ to communicate the impacts of biodiversity change using clear and concise language that can help others recognize biodiversity as a shared responsibility and help shift public perception to motivate collective action. The final product of this project is an educational toolkit to be used by diverse audiences to communicate the connection between species fluctuations and human livelihood.

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