The complex links and feedbacks between ecosystems and people are now sharply in focus. Our growing understandings of the complex relations between ecosystems and people, the social and ecological drivers of changes in nature, and the different dimensions of a good quality of life, from local to global scales, have made these interdependencies ever more visible (IPBES 2019; Díaz et al. 2019). Furthermore, recent studies have revealed how dramatically unsustainable and inequitable the interactions between ecosystems and people are, as a result of a long legacy of consumerism and utilitarianism, patriarchy and colonialism, and the global expansion of production-oriented relationships with nature. In embracing the new name and scope of the Journal Ecosystems and People (Martín-López et al. 2019) a special issue was launched in 2018 to gather and synthesize the findings, insights, and experiences gained in science-policy interfaces regarding ecosystems and people, with a special emphasis on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). We invited scientific contributions and contributions from non-academic authors, on the process, theory, and outcomes of IPBES as well as on other science-policy interfaces. Following the approach of the journal, the special issue aimed for a diverse distribution of authors based on gender, region, ethnicity, and seniority as contributors.
