The historical environments in which species evolved have lasting influence on the communities and ecosystems that provide services to humanity today. Dr. Cavender-Bares considers the unfolding of evolutionary history in the deep past, the role of diversification in community assembly, and its consequences for ecosystem function. Current threats to naturally assembled systems are transforming the biosphere to novel conditions, with consequences for the trade-offs we face in managing Planet Earth. What role can advances in remote sensing technology play in detecting evolutionary legacy effects and monitoring changes in biodiversity globally?