Thanks to an unprecedented intergovernmental effort, the first Global Ecosystems Atlas was developed at COP 16. This tool will compile and organize reliable and high-quality data on the ecosystems of countries, making them available to the planet.
Politicians, financial institutions, private companies, local communities, and decision-makers will be able to access them through a website currently in beta version.
Backing and Funding
The Atlas was backed by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). According to the CBD’s Secretary-General, Astrid Schomaker, nature has positioned itself on the global agenda, and with this agreement, the international community has come together to better understand it, prevent its loss, and evaluate the actions necessary for its recovery.
The tool was financed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs of the UK Government.
Atlas Objectives
The Atlas aims to help identify where different ecosystems such as mangroves, dry forests, humid forests, wetlands, deserts, and highlands are located, among others. It also aims to reduce the data gap, changing the way we understand, monitor, manage, and protect ecosystems.
What is the Global Ecosystems Atlas?
It is the first global and harmonized resource dedicated to mapping and monitoring ecosystems around the world. It is hosted on an interactive platform that offers high-quality spatial data, integrating information from official maps, satellite images, Earth observation technology, Artificial Intelligence, and fieldwork, providing details on the extent, condition, and risks of ecosystems.
Need for the Global Ecosystems Atlas
Challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation require a better understanding of these. Furthermore, it will allow tracking of biodiversity conservation goals and assess the progress of countries in conservation. The construction involved the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Esri, Ai2, Planet Labs, and the law firm Walder Wyss, among others.
Final Version of the Atlas
Following the launch of the beta version of the Atlas at COP16, the final platform is expected to be ready by the end of 2026, covering approximately 90% of the Earth’s surface with a diverse understanding of ecosystems.