This focus area is essential for understanding and preserving ecosystems. By integrating applied science, sustainable resource management, and traditional ecological knowledge practices, this initiative promotes informed decision-making to address environmental challenges. Additionally, through environmental monitoring and adaptive management techniques like field surveys and remote sensing, it enables us to adaptively manage ecosystems, ensuring their resilience in the face of changing conditions. Ultimately, this focus area contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, the mitigation of climate change, and the sustainable use of natural resources, fostering a healthier and more resilient planet for current and future generations.