GlobDiversity focuses on the development and engineering of Remotely Sensed Essential Biodiversity Variables (RS-enabled EBVs).
With RS-enabled EBVs, key characteristics of biodiversity can be observed and monitored with satellites and on a global scale.
GlobDiversity is the first large-scale project explicitly designed to develop and engineer RS-enabled EBVs. This project initiated by the European Space Agency (ESA) supports the efforts of the Convention on Biological Diversity CBD, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services IPBES, Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network GEO-BON, among others, to build a global knowledge of biological diversity of terrestrial ecosystems (= on land) and of relevance for society.
The focus of GlobDiversity lies on three RS-enabled EBVs:
- Fragmentation (Lead WEnR)
- Canopy chlorophyll concentration (Lead ITC)
- Land surface phenology (Lead UZH)
Within the project, these three variables will be investigated in detail provide an observation system to assess the variable in an efficient and effective way, covering extensive areas at a fine spatial and temporal resolution. In addition, Vegetation Height (lead UZH), with focus on future satellite mission requirements, will also be investigated as potential future RS-enabled EBV.
GlobDiversity also contributes to the discussion in defining the key EBVs for tracking biological diversity retrievable from remote sensing.