Towards Integrated Global Monitoring of Biodiversity
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The nations of the world have determined the importance of monitoring change in global biodiversity (CBD, 2006). Initial steps have been taken in the design and implementation of a global biodiversity monitoring network (Pereira and Cooper, 2006). The Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) is contributing in three areas essential to the success of these efforts: development of a long-term data record; access and outreach; impact monitoring.
The GLCF makes available a series of baseline satellite remote sensing data sets for use in biodiversity and ecosystem analysis. As a step toward monitoring areas of key importance to biodiversity, the GLCF is tasking the ASTER sensor to image the world’s natural World Heritage Sites. Getting data into the hands of the public is another matter and the GLCF actively provides leadership in open access, participating in and abiding by the principles of the Conservation Commons. Finally, the GLCF and its partners are assessing areas of potential impact on biodiversity.