A new conservation initiative, the Global Ecosystems Atlas, has been launched to provide a comprehensive, unified resource for mapping and monitoring ecosystems worldwide.

Introduced by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) at the 2024 United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) held this week in Cali, Colombia, the atlas aims to facilitate the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems. environmental challenges.

Monitoring these ecosystems is crucial to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, an international agreement designed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

Despite increasing threats to biodiversity, many important questions about our ecosystems remain unanswered due to inconsistencies in available data. Only about half of the world’s ecosystems have been mapped so far, and although global indicators exist for ecosystem monitoring, there is no standardized method for compiling data on a global scale.

Director Yana Gevorgyan said: “Ecosystems are the life support system of our planet, but our understanding has been limited not only by the scarcity of data but also by the complex nature of stakeholders, many of whom believe that reaching consensus on a common tool is unattainable.” GEO Secretariat.

How will the Global Ecosystem Atlas work?

The Global Ecosystem Atlas is an open-source data repository that combines high-quality existing ecosystem maps with new ones created using advanced Earth observation technology, artificial intelligence, field data, and local expertise.

This atlas compiles a variety of “spatial data products” from reputable national, regional and global databases designed to represent ecosystems.

To ensure the reliability of the dataset, it has undergone a rigorous evaluation process, including validation and harmonization with the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology, an internationally recognized framework for classifying ecosystems.

By providing high-quality, reliable and standardized ecosystem data, the Atlas will help identify critical areas for environmental protection and restoration. This makes it an invaluable resource for policymakers, private companies, financial institutions and local communities.

Access to reliable data will enable policymakers to make informed decisions and develop effective policies for restoration and environmental management. Local communities can also leverage these data to manage their lands and natural resources by integrating traditional knowledge with scientific understanding.

Atlas will help businesses incorporate environmental risks into their strategies. Additionally, international financial institutions and development banks, which are increasingly prioritizing sustainable development, can use data to ensure that funded projects are aligned with sustainability goals.

With the help of this new atlas, countries can harmonize their national data and increase the effectiveness of conservation efforts. It will also make it easier to detect differences in ecosystem mapping, especially in border areas.

On a global scale, the Global Ecosystem Atlas is a pioneer. But countries like South Africa and Mozambique have already adopted this data-driven approach to environmental protection.