Societal Impact Statement In the Tropical Andes millions of people depend upon the use of wild and domesticated biodiversity for their livelihoods, but the complex interactions between the ecological and social components of the region’s ecosystems remain poorly understood. Better knowledge of these interactions can help provide solutions to reduce poverty in this region. The joint international laboratory on Biodiversity in Natural and Cultivated phytosystems of the Tropical Andes (BIO_INCA) aims to fill crucial gaps in knowledge by advancing research at the interface between biology, ecology, agronomy, social and human science, and economics, which will not only help address the challenge of ecologically sustainable agriculture, but also contribute to United Nations sustainable development goals on Zero hunger and Life on land.