Informing UN-assisted National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plans with Earth Observations: Application to Forest Integrity and Connectivity

Investigators:

Andrew Hansen, Montana State University 

Jamison Ervin, United National Development Programme

Scott Goetz, Woods Hole Research Center

Matt Hansen, University of Maryland

James Watson, Wildlife Conservation Society

Patrick Jantz, Woods Hole Research Center

Oscar Venter, University of British Columbia

Abstract:

Human activities are increasingly fragmenting intact habitats and reducing connectivity among protected areas. Concern about loss of biodiversity led to an international agreement in 2010 to meet 20 specific biodiversity targets. Among these, Target 5 deals with fragmentation, Target 11 with connectivity, and Target 17 with implementation of National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plans (NBSAPs). The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is working with 135 countries to implement NBSAPs. These plans require data on the status and trends in biodiversity and ecological condition that are globally consistent and adequately fine in resolution for national application. Accordingly, the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) is developing Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) and UNDP has initiated a geospatial portal to serve NSBAP implementation. We propose to develop a remote-sensing based decision support system (DSS) to enhance the UNDP geospatial portal, produce ecological vital signs in support of GEO BON, and provide tools to enable decision making on forest fragmentation and connectivity by CBD countries.

Our goal is to develop credible and consistent global satellite-based products and analysis methods to inform connectivity implementation of forest integrity in NBSAPs.