Motivation
Do land-based climate solutions benefit biodiversity?
Do land-based climate solutions benefit biodiversity?
Objectives
Land-based climate solutions
Biodiversity
Objectives
Land-based climate solutions
Biodiversity
Habitat conversion
Objectives
Land-based climate solutions
Biodiversity
Climate stabilization
Habitat conversion
Objectives
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Habitat conversion effect
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Habitat conversion effect
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Mg of C sequestered
Habitat conversion effect
Atmospheric CO2 reduction PPM
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Mg of C sequestered
Habitat conversion effect
Atmospheric CO2 reduction PPM
Change in radiative forcing
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Mg of C sequestered
Habitat conversion effect
Atmospheric CO2 reduction PPM
Change in radiative forcing
Global mean temperature
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Mg of C sequestered
Habitat conversion effect
Atmospheric CO2 reduction PPM
Change in radiative forcing
Global mean temperature
Downscaled climate variables
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Mg of C sequestered
Habitat conversion effect
Atmospheric CO2 reduction PPM
Change in radiative forcing
Global mean temperature
Downscaled climate variables
New climatically suitable range
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Mg of C sequestered
Habitat conversion effect
Atmospheric CO2 reduction PPM
Change in radiative forcing
Global mean temperature
Downscaled climate variables
New climatically suitable range
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Mg of C sequestered
Habitat conversion effect
Climate mitigation effect
Atmospheric CO2 reduction PPM
Change in radiative forcing
Global mean temperature
Downscaled climate variables
New climatically suitable range
Smith et al., Science 2025
Approach
Mg of C sequestered
Now just repeat this for 14,233 more species
Increase in mean area of habitat
6e-3
3e-3
0
3e-3
-6e-3
Afforestation and reforestation – habitat conversion effect
Decrease in mean area of habitat
Results
Bioenergy cropping – habitat conversion effect
6e-3
3e-3
0
3e-3
-6e-3
Increase in mean area of habitat
Decrease in mean area of habitat
Results
Afforestation and reforestation – climate stabilization effect
6e-4
3e-4
0
3e-4
-6e-4
Increase in mean area of habitat
Decrease in mean area of habitat
Results
Bioenergy cropping – climate stabilization effect
6e-4
3e-4
0
3e-4
-6e-4
Increase in mean area of habitat
Decrease in mean area of habitat
Results
Only suitable
option is bioenergy cropping
Bioenergy cropping preferred to adding trees
Only suitable option is adding tree cover
Adding trees preferred to bioenergy cropping
Maximizing biodiversity outcomes
Only suitable
option is bioenergy cropping
Bioenergy cropping preferred to adding trees
Only suitable option is adding tree cover
Adding trees preferred to bioenergy cropping
Best option is to leave current habitat intact
Maximizing biodiversity outcomes
Future directions
Wang et al. (2023) The Innovation
Future directions
However, vast croplands in the midwestern United States already support corn ethanol biofuel, a form of energy with a greater land-use footprint per unit energy (~30×) and potential environmental impact (e.g., excessive fertilizer application) than solar energy.
Sturchio et al. (2025) PNAS
Wang et al. (2023) The Innovation
Future directions
Future directions
Acknowledgements
Thanks to
Questions?
levinej@princeton.edu
jeffreysmith@princeton.edu