Chile presented IDEOS, a new interactive platform designed to monitor the health of marine and coastal ecosystems in 105 municipalities across the country. The tool was developed by the Universidad Católica del Norte, Data Observatory, and the Instituto Milenio en Socio-Ecología Costera.
The initiative arose from a FONDEF IDeA I+D project launched in 2024 and aims to democratize access to environmental information related to the state of the oceans. Additionally, it will allow citizens, researchers, and public organizations to consult open data on biodiversity, fishing, pollution, and coastal resilience.
The system gathers scientific information from various public databases and specialized organizations. Through interactive maps, graphics, and visual indicators, any user can explore the Ocean Health Index at different territorial scales.
Furthermore, the platform is available for all coastal municipalities in Chile, including insular sectors and regions with high ecological sensitivity.
A tool to understand the state of the oceans
IDEOS allows visualization of the Ocean Health Index, an international indicator that assesses the capacity of marine ecosystems to continue providing environmental, economic, and social benefits sustainably.
Among the variables analyzed are biodiversity, clean waters, carbon sequestration, artisanal fishing, mariculture, tourism, coastal protection, and local economies linked to the sea.
Additionally, the system incorporates about 120 data sets constructed from 98 layers of territorial and environmental information. The platform processes that information in a few seconds and offers updated and comparable results.
Moreover, specialists emphasized that IDEOS will allow for periodic monitoring and detection of environmental changes before they turn into ecological or productive crises.
The benefits of this initiative for marine conservation
One of the main contributions of IDEOS is the democratization of access to scientific information about the Chilean ocean. The platform enables coastal communities, educational institutions, and local governments to better understand the environmental state of their territories.
Additionally, the system strengthens decision-making related to conservation, coastal planning, and sustainable management of marine resources. Open data allows for the evaluation of environmental impacts and designing policies based on scientific evidence.
Furthermore, the tool promotes transparency and citizen participation in environmental issues. The ability to access clear and interoperable information supports social monitoring of productive activities and sensitive ecosystems.
Likewise, IDEOS can become a key support for adaptation to climate change. By integrating indicators on biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and human pressures, the platform helps identify vulnerable areas and plan coastal resilience strategies.
Environmental results and regions with better performance
The data corresponding to the IdSO 2026 show that Chile achieved a national score of 61, considered within a mid-high range of ocean health.
The categories with the best results were Economies and Livelihoods and Carbon Sequestration, while the lowest scores appeared in Natural Products and Artisanal Fishing Opportunities.
In the territorial analysis, some of the best-positioned coastal municipalities were Puerto Varas, Treguaco, and Torres del Paine. According to researchers, these areas have lower levels of industrial pollution, minimal maritime traffic, and relatively preserved habitats.
As new scientific data continues to be incorporated, IDEOS is projected as one of Chile’s main environmental tools to strengthen ocean governance and protect marine ecosystems increasingly pressured by climate change and human activities.
