Building the Global Ecosystems Atlas: Technology, Standards and Partnership in Action
How do diverse national datasets, satellite observations and advances in AI become trusted, decision-ready ecosystem intelligence? This session takes participants inside the technical architecture of the Global Ecosystems Atlas and the partnerships making it possible.
The Atlas Technical Consortium brings together Ai2, ESA, Esri, Google and IUCN with the GEO Secretariat and James Cook University, combining complementary capabilities across the full ecosystem-mapping workflow - from standards, training data and foundation models to harmonisation, cloud infrastructure, validation and open access.
Through a fast-paced technical deep dive, partners will demonstrate how these contributions connect: Ai2’s OlmoEarth Earth-observation foundation models and platform; ESA’s WEED toolbox, national mapping and cross-referencing work; Esri’s geoprocessing and data-distribution infrastructure; and IUCN’s Global Ecosystem Typology and scientific standards.
The session will show how this integrated workflow turns fragmented ecosystem data into an open, interoperable global resource, while inviting technical teams, mapping agencies and data partners to help shape the Global Ecosystems Atlas as it moves from ecosystem extent mapping towards monitoring change and condition.
With:
- Stewart Maginnis, IUCN, Deputy Director General - Programme
- Sean Breyer, Esri, GIS Engineering Director, ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World
- Marc Paganini, European Space Agency, Technical Officer
- Ted Schmitt, Ai2, Senior Director of Conservation
- Yana Gevorgyan, GEO Secretariat, Director (host)