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The DiverSus Collaborative Research Network investigates the relationship between land cover change, functional biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The project aims to create a conceptual framework and empirical tools to assist land-use decisions by linking ecological data—such as carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling—with the livelihoods of social actors. Initial work includes case studies in Alaska, Costa Rica, Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina, focusing on measuring functional trait values of dominant species and conducting social surveys to identify ecosystem services.

A five-year interdisciplinary study on the Peru-Brazil Inter-Oceanic Highway found that while the road improved infrastructure and food access, it caused biodiversity loss and altered wild rodent populations. In the Madre de Dios region of Peru, researchers found high prevalence of Bartonella (78%) and Leptospira (24%) bacteria in sampled rodents, increasing the risk of lethal infectious diseases for local populations. The study highlights a critical gap in community awareness, as 90% of surveyed residents who saw rodents could not name the diseases they transmit. The report recommends integrated public health strategies and land-use policies that prioritize ecosystem health to mitigate the risks associated with deforestation and agricultural expansion.