4B. Science Session

Ecosystem Services

An ecosystem is a dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and the nonliving environment, interacting as a functional unit. Humans are an integral part of ecosystems. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include provisioning services such as food and water; regulating services such as flood and disease control; cultural services such as spiritual, recreational, and cultural benefits; and supporting services such as nutrient cycling, that maintain the conditions for life on Earth. Like climate change, ecosystem services connect across all ANR’s Strategic Initiatives. This session provides a few examples of current work by ANR academics and offers a description of future work in a lightning round format of recently successful 2017 ANR grants.

Moderator: Theresa A. Becchetti, UCCE Livestock & Natural Resources Advisor, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties

10:30 Presentations with Q & A (15 min. w/5 min. Q&A)

10:35 Invasive plant impacts on rangeland ecosystem services – Jeremy James, Director Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center

10:55 Ecosystem Services Valuation – Van Butsic, CE Specialist, ESPM, UC Berkeley and Stephanie Larson-Prapland, UCCE Livestock & Range advisor, Sonoma/Marin Counties

11:15 Interactive Effects of Environment and Management on Multiple Ecosystem Services – Valerie Eviner, Professor, Dept. of Plant Sciences, UC Davis

New ANR grant lightning rounds -

11:35 Impact of Warmer and Drier Future on Rangeland Ecosystems – Jeremy James, Director Sierra Foothill Research & Extension Center

11:40 Silent Straws: Understanding Water Demands from Woody Encroachment in California’s Oak Woodlands – Lenya N. Quinn-Davidson, UCCE Area Fire Advisor, Humboldt, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Trinity and Mendocino Counties

11:45 Closing the Adaptive Management Loop for Sustainable Working Landscapes – Laura Snell, County Director and UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor, Modoc County

11:50 Closing Remarks

12:00 End

Planning Committee: John Harper, Theresa Becchetti, Jeremy James, and Yana Valachovic