Global Forest Observations Initiative
GFOIMature FlagshipSupports countries in producing reliable forest information for climate change mitigation.
Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Carbon Management
Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Carbon Management addresses the urgent need to halt biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Earth observations, combined with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and ground-truthing, support habitat mapping, impact assessment, and the development of metrics to track progress.
As climate action depends on ecosystem health and carbon sinks, GEO provides essential data and tools to guide conservation, restoration, and sustainability efforts.
Enabling Informed Action Through Earth Intelligence
With advanced Earth Intelligence technologies, GEO activities such as Global Forest Observations Initiative, GEO BON, GEO-TREES Global Ecosystems Atlas and GEO Mountains support:
- High-resolution biodiversity monitoring for informed conservation and restoration efforts.
- AI-powered analysis to improve habitat classification and ecosystem assessments.
- Integrated ecosystem monitoring systems combining satellite, in-situ and AI-derived data.
- Strengthened understanding of climate-biodiversity linkages to drive effective policy actions.
- Enhanced data collection and accuracy for ecosystem and carbon management.
- Improved availability and accessibility of data and information related to mountain environments.
Key GEO Activities
GEO Biodiversity Observation Network
GEO BONFlagshipCoordinates global biodiversity monitoring to inform conservation and sustainable use policies.
Forest Biomass Reference System from Tree-by-Tree Inventory Data
GEO-TREESInitiativeEnhances forest biomass monitoring with tree-level data.
Global Ecosystems Atlas
THE ATLASInitiativeComprehensive tool for ecosystem insights, aiding restoration, biodiversity assessment and carbon storage analysis for sustainable solutions.
Global Network for Observations and Information in Mountain Environments
GEO-MOUNTAINSInitiativeAdvances Earth observations for monitoring mountain ecosystems.
GEO Wetlands
GEO-WETLANDSPilotImproves monitoring and management of global wetlands.
Promotes Earth observation collaboration for environmental monitoring.
The Global Ecosystems Atlas
Central to GEO’s work on ecosystems is the Global Ecosystems Atlas, a ground-breaking tool developed to provide comprehensive insights into ecosystem extent, condition, and potential. By integrating advanced Earth observation data, the Atlas allows stakeholders to:
- Identify critical ecosystems and prioritise restoration efforts.
- Assess biodiversity hotspots and their vulnerabilities.
- Evaluate carbon storage capabilities across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
The Global Ecosystems Atlas empowers decision-makers with actionable intelligence to address the intertwined challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation effectively.
Supporting Global Priorities
This work addresses:
Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework:
Achieving ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation goals.
The Paris Agreement:
Enhancing carbon sinks in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
SDG 15 (Life on Land):
Protecting and restoring ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss.
Looking Ahead
In the next five years, GEO will expand its efforts to integrate AI-driven analytics, develop robust monitoring systems, and foster global collaboration. A key focus will be harmonising data platforms to support coherent and scalable biodiversity and ecosystem management strategies.
Related GEO Activities
Global Vegetation Pest and Disease Dynamic Remote Sensing Monitoring and Forecasting
GEO-PDRSInitiativeMonitors vegetation health for early pest and disease detection.
Arctic GEOSS
ARCTIC-GEOSSConvenerAddresses environmental challenges unique to the Arctic.
GEO Land Degradation Neutrality
GEO-LDNFlagshipProvides tools and data to support global efforts in achieving land degradation neutrality.
Earth Observations for Global Typical Karst
EO4KARSTPilotAdvances Earth observations for monitoring and managing karst ecosystems.
GEO Blue Planet
GEO-BLUE-PLANETConvenerFocuses on ocean and coastal observations to support sustainable use.
Global Wildfire Information System
GWISFlagshipEnhances wildfire monitoring and risk assessment using Earth observations.
Night-Time Light Remote Sensing for Sustainable Development Goals
NIGHT-LIGHTInitiativeMonitors night-time light to assess socio-economic activities.
GEO Indigenous Alliance
GEO-IAEnabling MechanismGEO-IA contributes to a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable approach to Earth observation initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities, the scientific community, and global efforts to harmoniously coexist with our planet.
GEO Youth Community of Practice
GEO-YOUTHEnabling MechanismAn step toward realizing the massive untapped potential for GEO and GEO Youth to mutually benefit from critical, deliberate engagement with one another.
Understanding the Impacts and Value of Earth Observations
GEOVALUEEnabling MechanismAn international community focused on the value and socioeconomic impacts of geospatial information for decision-making
Digital Earth Africa
DE AFRICAEnabling MechanismProvides accessible Earth observation data to support sustainable development in Africa.
Digital Earth Approaches for GEO
GEO-DECOPEnabling MechanismAdvancing and operationalizing Digital Earth, at an initial stage, through the Earth Observation (EO) Data Cubes efforts, with a focus on implementing global principles in local contexts
Digital Earth Pacific
DE PACIFICEnabling MechanismProvides tailored Earth observation solutions for Pacific Island nations.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation Working Group
DRRA-WGEnabling MechanismBrings together the GEO Work Proragmme, DRR and climate change experts to promote the integration of Earth Intelligence into disaster management and climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Earth Observations for the Sustainable Development Goals
EO4SDGEnabling MechanismLeverages Earth observations to support achievement of the SDGs.