Ecosystem services are benefits that society receives from the natural environment – for example, the pollination of crops contributes to food production, and trees pull carbon from the air and provide shading to cool buildings.
As part of Ohio State’s commitment to improve ecosystem services and to support learning, well-being and environmental resilience, the university has installed natural habitats across university lands.
Achievements and initiatives
15% ecosystem services improvement since 2020.
The university’s Sustainable Design and Construction policy includes an Ecosystem Services Assessment for projects to improve their impact on natural resources.
The realignment of Cannon Drive is creating new greenspace and Olentangy Trail connectivity along the Olentangy River’s east bank. The realignment project established 18 acres of new wetland and river corridor habitat, now named Cannon Drive Park. Through 2024, the university planted over 1,000 native trees at the park, established low-mow areas and constructed a certified ODNR floor protection levee.
Embracing the university’s academic mission, the university has expanded ecosystem-based living lab opportunities for faculty and students on university campuses. These learning experiences range from studying aquatic systems to establishing native, edible horticultural landscapes.
Resources
University Panel on Ecosystem Services Report, August 2018
Sustainability in Action database of living lab projects