Space - the final frontier for biodiversity monitoring? | Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

Remote sensing and biodiversity monitoring

This symposium brought together leading experts in biodiversity monitoring and satellite remote sensing to discuss ways to better capitalise on this technology to monitor biological diversity globally.

Societal, economic and scientific interests in mapping biodiversity, measuring how biodiversity is faring, and asking what can be done to efficiently mitigate further biodiversity loss are at an all-time high.

Biodiversity is, however, a complex, multidimensional concept that has proven hard to track globally. Among the variety of methodologies likely to deliver global monitoring options for capturing and understanding change in biological diversity, Satellite Remote Sensing has been highlighted as displaying considerable potential. Reasons for this include the fact that SRS can (i) provide global coverage that spans multiple decades; (ii) inform on the loss of biological diversity at a wide range of scales in a consistent, borderless, repeatable and rapid manner; and (iii) support a dynamic approach to environmental and wildlife management.

Although satellite-based variables have for long been expected to be key components to a unified and global biodiversity monitoring strategy, how to plug satellite information into existing monitoring frameworks is still debated.

This one-day symposium:

Demonstrated the increasing importance of integrating technological developments with biodiversity monitoring initiatives.
Presented new interdisciplinary frameworks for better capitalising on satellite remote sensing technology to monitor biodiversity and reported on changes in biological diversity globally.
Debated implications for policy and practice.
Space - the final frontier for biodiversity monitoring? Full programme (381.81 KB)
Download full programme with abstracts: Abstract book: Space - the final frontier for biodiversity monitoring? 29 April (935.52 KB)

The event featured:

A poster competition with personal feedback provided by the speakers for all entries.
A raffle for individual attendees to win a free lunch with all of the individual speakers.
A workshop on scientific writing offered to all attendees and organised by the journal Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation editorial team.