Mapping the Future: Innovative Solutions for New Zealand’s…

Biodiversity Decline and Geospatial Solutions: A Report on Eco-index’s Efforts

Biodiversity decline in even the tiniest area of any country is a global concern. It multiplies to a myriad of issues such as climate-driven extinctions, the spread of diseases, and loss of livelihood. With such a gigantic, complex, and time-sensitive global problem, where do we begin looking for solutions?

Introducing Eco-index: Tackling Biodiversity Decline with Geospatial Solutions

Eco-index, a team of experts in ecology, data science, economics, and mathematical modeling, is addressing the biodiversity crisis in Aotearoa, also known as New Zealand. Initiated by the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge research program, the Eco-index team aims to develop geospatial solutions using a combination of Planet satellite data and artificial intelligence.

The Wicked Problem and Wonderful Solutions of Geospatial Data

Reversing native biodiversity decline is a challenging task, especially in the diverse ecosystems and highly modified landscapes of Aotearoa. However, the Eco-index team is determined to protect vulnerable species. While ecological restoration is recognized as the best option, there are still unanswered questions surrounding this issue.

Catherine Kirby, Communication & Relationships Manager of Eco-index, emphasizes that decision-makers often lack the necessary data, knowledge, and tools to make a cost-effective difference. Eco-index’s approach, which includes national mapping, target-setting, and monitoring, aims to fill this knowledge gap. Their ecosystem reconstruction digital toolkit empowers decision-makers to prioritize and plan actions that provide the best return on their efforts and investments.

The recently launched Ecosystem Reconstruction Map, a digital public good that categorizes the whole of New Zealand into restoration priority levels, has been a huge success. Eco-index is also developing remote sensing ecosystem detectors using AI, with a focus on wetlands and kahikatea forest. These ecosystems have been chosen because they are the most depleted due to agricultural and urban development. By identifying ecosystems and utilizing Planet’s archival data, stakeholders can measure the impact of ecosystem reconstruction and regeneration efforts and make well-informed decisions.

However, addressing the wicked problem of biodiversity decline comes with its own set of challenges. Ground-truthing is required to ensure the accuracy of remote sensing results. Traditionally, this process has been labor-intensive and time-consuming, as it involves visiting the areas of interest. The Eco-index team, however, is leveraging Planet Earth data to ground-truth from space.

Getting to the Ground Truth with Planet Earth Data and AI

Two critical factors for the success of the Eco-index initiative are the accuracy and consistency of data sources. To achieve accurate remote sensing results, Eco-index utilizes both PlanetScope and SkySat data. PlanetScope provides temporal data for historical information and New Zealand map coverage, while SkySat remotely verifies the output of target areas.

Planet data seamlessly integrates into their framework, which is based on a foundational data cube consisting of stacked PlanetScope data. Additional datasets such as soil moisture levels, soil types, and elevations are layered onto this foundational data. This integration allows for predictions in situational aspects and AI-assisted pattern detection.

Kevan Cote, Eco-index Data Scientist, describes their day-to-day operations using Planet data as straightforward and efficient. The data is plug-and-play, allowing for experimentation and easy integration into their workflow.

Critical Collaborations for Sustainability

At Planet, we are proud to have innovative partners and customers who share our mission of using space to help life on Earth through restoration and nature-based solutions. In an interview with Matthew Monahan of Ma Earth, Planet CEO Will Marshall emphasized the importance of conservation in mitigating climate change. He highlighted the role of forests in carbon capture and the need for nature-based solutions.

Eco-index’s current tools are already assisting ecosystem restoration planning for various users, including the government and industry organizations. However, they continue to conduct research and development work to further advance geospatial solutions for better biodiversity outcomes.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
   • Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
   • Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The article addresses or connects to the following SDGs:

1. SDG 15: Life on Land – The article discusses the biodiversity decline and the need to protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article mentions climate-driven extinctions and the importance of conservation in mitigating climate change.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article highlights the use of data science, artificial intelligence, and technological capabilities to tackle the biodiversity crisis.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under these SDGs can be identified:

1. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
2. Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
3. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.

The article mentions or implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index – The article discusses the need to protect threatened species and prevent their extinction.
2. Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning – The article emphasizes the importance of education, awareness-raising, and capacity-building on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
3. Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP – The article highlights the use of data science, artificial intelligence, and technological capabilities to address the biodiversity crisis.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: planet.com

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