ESA BIOSPACE25 – Biodiversity insight from space

Monday 10 February 2025 - Friday 14 February 2025

Location: ESA-ESRIN, Frascati - Italy
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BIOSPACE25 is the first international conference exclusively dedicated to the application of Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) across the various dimensions of biodiversity, and addressing the use of Earth Observations in all realms, from terrestrial, freshwater, coastal to marine ecosystems.

PML’s Dr Peter Miller and Dr Victor Martinez-Vicente will be taking part; with Dr Miller giving the presentation ‘Relationships between shelf-sea fronts and biodiversity studied using Earth observation data’, and Dr Martinez-Vicente giving the presentation ‘Biodiversity in changing terrestrial, aquatic, and marine Ecosystems: Calling for a unifying earth observation perspective’.
Find out more about BIOSPACE 25 >>
Find out more about Dr Miller’s presentation and involvement in the FRONTWARD project below:

Relationships between shelf-sea fronts and biodiversity studied using Earth observation data

Fronts – the interface between water masses – are hotspots for rich and diverse marine life, influencing the foraging distribution of many megafauna. We have analysed a long time-series of Earth observation (EO) data using novel algorithms to characterise the distribution and dynamic of ocean fronts, and used these to investigate links to biodiversity hotspots and to explore key drivers for changes in fronts and these relationships.

FRONTWARD (Fronts for Marine Wildlife Assessment for Renewable Developments) aims to provide evidence to justify the inclusion of frontal locations in marine spatial planning, most pressingly for zones for offshore windfarms. Biodiversity hotspots are identified using a biodiversity index, created using an unprecedented collation of UK at-sea observations of seabirds, fish and cetaceans spanning several decades (1980s-2020s). Generalised additive models (GAMs) reveal the spatial influence of fronts on biodiversity, and provide predictions of biodiversity based on EO-detected front maps. The outcomes from this project will feed into the evidence base for marine conservation, and decisions on siting of future offshore renewable energy projects.

Find out more about Dr Martinez-Vicente’s involvement below:
Biodiversity in changing terrestrial, aquatic, and marine Ecosystems: Calling for a unifying earth observation perspective
Direct and indirect anthropogenetic activities are affecting global biodiversity, ecosystems functions and services as a whole and in an interconnected manner. Policies have set specific targets to be achieved and minimise these impacts. To measure progress towards these targets, a suite of indicators has been developed based on a combination of in situ data, predictions from models and remote sensing techniques (i.e. Earth Observations). Yet, collecting in situ data is still challenging, especially in remote areas (i.e. tropics, oceans) while predictive models can be uncertain and prone to errors, especially in data deficient areas. These limitations have led to an increased attention and use of satellite remote sensing biodiversity related products to support policy (through indicators) and science (through upscaling in situ observations). Because of the different communities using satellite data and different scales of processes involved, there is currently a disconnection between the different products for land-freshwater-marine ecosystems. Radiometric remote sensing measures the same physical properties across the domains, therefore providing a unifying perspective of the global ecosystem. This paper examines the commonalities across domains and identifies biodiverisity relevant products that offer potential for constructing global satellite derived datasets of biodiversity and environmental (abiotic) drivers through a critical literature review incorporating recent outcomes from projects under the Biodiversity+ Precursors/ESA Flagship action (e.g., EO4Diversity, BiCOME, and BIOMONDO) and ESA Ocean Health (BOOMS). These findings highlight key areas for future research and suggest that further efforts should be invested to enhance the understanding of the biosphere’s response to multiple drivers. We highlight the need for global, climate relevant, satellite derived biodiversity and environmental (abiotic) drivers variables datasets across domains (i.e. datasets with long term ambition).
Workshop: Marine biodiversity metrics from space: state of the art, gaps and priorities for advancing biodiversity science and achieving conservation objectives
Essential Ocean Variables (EOV) and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) are complementary frameworks that enable standardized metrics to inform policy and planning conservation efforts and make progress towards biological diversity targets. They are fundamental for reporting on national biodiversity priorities and international agreements (i.e. Convention on Biological Diversity Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Sustainable Development Goals, CCAMLR, IPCC, IPBES, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Maritime Spatial Planning Framework Directive, etc.). The variables are curated by the Global Ocean Observing System – GOOS Biology and Ecosystems panel of experts and the GEO BON’s Marine Biodiversity Observation Network, and popularized by researcher networks including the Marine Life 2030 and OBON, SUPREME, and other Ocean Decade Programmes. Some of the physics, biogeochemistry, and biology and ecosystems EOVs are also as Essential Climate Variables (ECV). An important goal is to improve modelling and forecasting of marine life and ecological scenarios. This is especially challenging but critical for gathering meaningful environmental knowledge and data at temporal and spatial scales of complex biological, biogeochemical and physical processes to inform ecosystem-based approaches to biodiversity conservation and manage for sustainable ocean development. The remote sensing community has initiated an approach to estimate Essential Variables. The aim of the workshop is to help advance consensus among the private, government, and academic communities on the mapping of EOV, EBV and other products based on remote sensing. It seeks to identify limitations of satellite Earth Observation (SEO) for deriving accurate ocean EBV at the required spatial and temporal scales. To do so we aim to focus on these aspects:
1. Prioritize remote sensing observations and products needed for local, national, and international biodiversity monitoring and management in the EBV framework.
2. Highlight scientific, monitoring gaps, and policy options that may be addressed by defining specifications for future satellite remote sensing missions.
3. Identify in situ observations to calibrate, validate, and complement remote sensing data. Methods of interest include the use of eDNA, passive and active acoustics, autonomous systems and approaches, imaging and other optics observing in the context of remote sensing advances for Essential Variables.
4. Advances in modelling that combine remote sensing and in situ biodiversity EOV to generate EBVs, indicators; examples of practical management and other operational applications are especially welcome.
Workshop methodology: The workshop is open to any BIOSPACE paricipant. After introducing the key perspective of the workshop, participants will be guided through group discussion to (1) identify metrics, indicators, and related remote sensing products, and their potential application
for specific monitoring and policy needs, and (2) identify platforms, limitations, and requirements for metrics retrieval
Expected Outcomes: The workshop will elaborate a roadmap of products and services that are available for answering policy needs, define a list of products and indicators that can be produced in the future, and identify limitations and challenges deriving from methodological challenges and data gaps. The workshop will provide a summary of present platforms, limitations, and requirements for metrics retrieval. An output for space agencies will be requirements for future satellite earth observation to address marine biodiversity challenges.
We invite stakeholders from government, private, and academic groups to move these goals forward by actively participating to this workshop.
Roundtable: Copernicus Marine
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