Towards monitoring ecosystem integrity within the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Abstract

Signatory countries to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are formulating indicators through 2030 under the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). These goals include increasing the integrity of natural ecosystems. However, the definition of integrity and methods for measuring it remain unspecified. Moreover, nations did not achieve their 2011-2020 CBD targets, partly due to inability to monitor and report progress on these targets. Here, we define ecological integrity (EI) and suggest a framework to measure and evaluate trends in terrestrial EI. Our approach builds on three topics: the concept of ecological integrity, satellite-based Earth observation, and Essential Biodiversity Variables. Within this framework, EI is a measure of the structure, function and composition of an ecosystem relative to the pre-industrial range of variation of these characteristics. We recommend 13 indicators of EI to facilitate the efforts of nations to monitor, evaluate, and report during implementation of the post-2020 GBF. These indicators can help assess the condition of ecosystems relative to benchmark states, and track the degradation or improvement of ecosystem condition due to human impacts or restoration strategies. If operationalized, this framework can help Parties to the CBD systematically evaluate and report progress on achieving ecosystem commitments in the post-2020 GBF

Informing conservation decisions to target private lands of highest ecological value and risk of loss

“…The ecological metrics are summarized below and in Table 1. The resolution of all the layers was 30 m except for Protection‐weighted Range‐size Rarity of Imperiled Species, which was 990 m. Various other metrics and/or data sources could have been used (see e.g., Carter et al, 2019; Hansen, Noble, et al, 2021; Tierney et al, 2009; Walston & Hartmann, 2018), and we selected these metrics because in our judgment they best meet the criteria above.…”

“…This is because natural habitats may differ species richness, productivity, carbon storage, contribution to landscape connectivity, and in other ecological factors. Consequently, conservation scientists are now calling for the CBD to target not only the extent of natural habitats but also the ecological quality or integrity of those habitats (Hansen, Noble, et al, 2021;Theobald, 2010Theobald, , 2013Watson et al, 2018). Ecological integrity refers to the ecological structure, function, and composition characteristics of a region (Parrish et al, 2003;Theobald, 2013;Wurtzebach & Schultz, 2016).…”

From biodiversity to health: Quantifying the impact of diverse ecosystems on human well‐being

“…It is now generally accepted that the aspects of constituent diversity are positively correlated with ecosystem productivity (Tilman et al, 2012) and element cycling (Hättenschwiler et al, 2005) and, therefore, ecosystem integrity (Hansen et al, 2021). However, the question whether systems diversity, particularly food web complexity and functional diversity, positively correlates with the various aspects of ecosystem functioning is still controversially discussed despite strong claims in favour (e.g.…”

Leaf phenology as an indicator of ecological integrity

“…Despite this potential, little work has been done to explore the implementation of phenocam‐derived leaf phenology observations as an indicator of ecological integrity for conservation efforts. This may be due in part to the considerable challenge of designating indicator thresholds to convey critical adverse effects on the ecology of an ecosystem (Hansen et al, 2021).…”