Thu, Aug 18, 2022: 4:30 PM-4:50 PM
524A
Background/Question/MethodsBiodiversity outcomes are a key objective of the 30 by 30 initiative. It is therefore vital that information feeding into spatial planning processes comprehensively addresses conservation priorities for diverse taxonomic groups. Data informing these maps should harness existing occurrence data from a variety of trusted sources, follow robust scientific approaches, and include engagement from the academic community. This biodiversity information supporting decisions needs to go beyond species already recognized as imperiled or listed. For example, the integrity of the United States’ ecosystems is maintained by ~1,400 terrestrial vertebrate species, ~800 freshwater fish species, ~18,000 vascular plants species, and ~2,000 species of butterflies, ants, and dragonflies/damselflies. Many of these are seeing rapid changes in their distribution with a changing climate, and a comprehensive approach to safeguarding biodiversity that goes beyond just the most imperiled species is essential to ensure functioning ecosystems. The information should leverage approaches that assess landscape importance for biodiversity in a way that is continuous and flexible. I.e. biodiversity priority layers should not simply characterize places as important but offer a nuanced valuation that can adapt to changes in the distribution of species and conservation areas, and provide specificity about the concerned species and functions.
Results/ConclusionsTo address this need, scientists associated with Map of Life at Yale University, in collaboration with the Half-Earth Project and partners such as NASA and GEO BON and a range of other stakeholders have developed 1x1km resolution distribution information comprehensively addressing the aforementioned species groups to develop a range of conservation priority layers. The goal of the endeavor is to support effective conservation decision-making, biodiversity education, and monitoring. A sample of the draft version of the information products can be found at https://mol.org/patterns/high-res/USA-CANI will be reporting on the latest findings and reflect a foundation for a path toward a 30 by 30 that is able to transparently an inclusively leverage robust and comprehensive information addressing biodiversity outcomes.
Results/ConclusionsTo address this need, scientists associated with Map of Life at Yale University, in collaboration with the Half-Earth Project and partners such as NASA and GEO BON and a range of other stakeholders have developed 1x1km resolution distribution information comprehensively addressing the aforementioned species groups to develop a range of conservation priority layers. The goal of the endeavor is to support effective conservation decision-making, biodiversity education, and monitoring. A sample of the draft version of the information products can be found at https://mol.org/patterns/high-res/USA-CANI will be reporting on the latest findings and reflect a foundation for a path toward a 30 by 30 that is able to transparently an inclusively leverage robust and comprehensive information addressing biodiversity outcomes.