Tools for Supporting Biodiversity

A four-part virtual symposium series to expand networks and inspire creative strategies to promote biodiversity in urban, agricultural and natural areas, to improve human and ecological health and well-being. Melanie Kammerer, Developing a generalizable, data-driven method to estimate landscape floral resources for bees Yanghui Kang, Harnessing remote sensing and machine learning to map ecosystem dynamics Lucas Heintzman, Grassland recovery and dynamic connectivity of a drylands Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site Purpose and Goals A global movement has emerged to mobilize governments, civil society, businesses and all people to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals within the next 10 years. Among the key goals are the need to ensure biodiversity and a healthy bioeconomy. Biodiversity is critical for healthy ecosystems, producing plentiful nutritious food, and human well-being. Supporting and expanding biodiversity requires creative and cross-disciplinary approaches that bring together scientists and stakeholders. Penn State is a world leader in the study and management of biodiversity across agricultural, natural and urban landscapes. This symposium will foster synergies across the expertise and perspectives of multiple Penn State colleges, institutes, and centers as well as partner institutions.