The Conservation Science Group at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville researches how biodiversity is affected by global changes. We examine the implications for ecosystems and for people, who benefit from the goods and services ecosystems provide. We help to design and evaluate conservation strategies and natural resource policies to help manage ecological systems more effectively. Our approach is fundamentally interdisciplinary. We collaborate extensively with government agencies, NGOs and other groups all over the world. We provide research opportunities to a diverse body of students and integrate real-world conservation issues throughout our teaching .