Humid tropical forests are home to the greatest and most  diverse species on Earth. Deforestation and its associated impacts on critical habitats in the tropics, pose a significant threat to biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides.

To better understand this relationship between biodiversity and land use change, ASB's Working Group on Biodiversity conducted research along defined environmental gradients at ASB benchmark sites. The research took place  throughout the tropics to analyse and forecast the impact of land use on above- and belowground biodiversity.

ASB scientists use both plant taxonomic and plant functional attributes (PFAs) to assess and predict biophysical response and thus, biodiversity, to land use impact. These response characteristics include:
        1)  richness patterns in certain key plant and animal groups
        2)  above-ground carbon, and
        3)  soil nutrient availability.

By linking these results to agricultural productivity and profitability data, ASB researchers are now able to examine the trade-offs that exist between global environmental benefits and the local economic benefits to farmers.

ASB's leading scientists on Aboveground Biodiversity and Belowground Biodiversity are Dr. Andy Gillison of the Center for Biodiversity Management (CBM) and Dr. Mike Swift,respectively.