Earth observation as a tool for tracking progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Issue 1 (14th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Connor, Brian; Secades, Cristina; Penner, Johannes; Sonnenschein, Ruth; Skidmore, Andrew; Burgess, Neil D.; Hutton, Jon M.
• Is Part Of: Remote sensing in ecology and conservation. Volume 1:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2015-07-14
• Subjects: Biodiversity -- convention on biological diversity -- essential biodiversity variables -- global change -- land cover -- satellite remote sensing; Remote sensing -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Research -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Remote sensing -- Periodicals; Nature conservation -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 577.0723
• DOI: 10.1002/rse2.4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-3485

Abstract

Abstract: Biodiversity is continuing to decline. This crisis has been recognised by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), whose members have set ambitious targets to avert ongoing declines in the state of biodiversity by 2020. These so called "Aichi Biodiversity Targets" (ABTs) are organized around five strategic goals, with indicators showing the level of progress made towards each target. Currently, measurements of many ABT indicators are not available. The Essential Biodiversity Variable (EBV) framework, developed by the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), attempts to form a coherent and harmonised set of observations of biodiversity. In this paper, we explore the potential role of Earth Observation (EO) as a tool to support biodiversity monitoring against the ABT and EBV frameworks. We show that EO‐based measurements are adequate for assessing progress towards 11 out of 20 ABTs. In addition, 14 of the 22 candidate EBVs have a fully or partly remotely‐sensed component and can be considered as Remote Sensing Essential Biodiversity Variables (RS‐EBVs). Those with a partial EO component require further in‐situ data and/or modelling effort to complete the EBV. While the status of biodiversity can be assessed with both fully and partly measured RS‐EBVs, assessing trends is more challenging, particularly for partly measured RS‐EBVs, as coincident time series of EO and supporting data are lacking. A synthetic pathway for developing generic biodiversity indicators using RS‐EBVs is proposed. Abstract : In 2010 the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) formulated the "Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020" and set the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets to achieve its aims. Parties to the CBD endorsed a suite of 98 indicators as the basis for reporting on progress of the plan target by target. A set of candidate Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) has been proposed by the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) to harmonise biodiversity measuring and monitoring methodologies. So far there has not been a concerted effort to find common ground between the EBVs, indicators and the Aichi Targets. Here expert opinion has been solicited to quantify the extent to which Earth Observation can support both the Aichi Targets, their underlying indicators and the emerging EBVs as well as to identify what obstacles prevent EO from fulfilling its potential.