Integrated cloud infrastructure for biodiversity monitoring and decision making at the national and regional levels

Abstract:

The consolidation of a global biodiversity observation network (BON) that informs research and policy at the national and global scales is an aim and a challenge for the successful implementation of Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs). Recent advances in the development of high-resolution, global satellite data products can facilitate biodiversity monitoring in a spatially and temporarily consistent manner. In parallel, national and regional BONs have produced data infrastructures that enable data access and decision-making. We present an integrated system that harnesses the potential of national and global spatial data products and infrastructure for biodiversity monitoring and decision making in Colombia. The system combines 1) a cloud storage data catalog and processing infrastructure that harmonizes national and global products to produce Spatial Biodiversity Indicators (SBI) derived from EBVs 2) a user-friendly graphical interface that assists decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders to retrieve spatial EBV products and SBI 3) a suite of modular software applications that streamlines the production of workflows, data products and metrics. Currently, the system hosts circa 30 Gb of data that enables it to provide metrics for 18+ SBI within areas of interest. Software applications consists of two open-source computer packages. The first one produces time series maps. metrics and SBIs derived from EBVs related to forest and inland water ecosystem extent, forest structure, and species populations. The second package consists of a workflow for satellite data pre-processing and the production and validation of time series maps representing changes in ecosystem extent. The modular design of the system makes it expandable as new data and routines become available while its encapsulation in executable containers confers portability and adaptability to the conditions and needs of other BONs worldwide.