NASA Biological Diversity and Ecological Forecasting: Current state of knowledge and considerations for the next decade
Geller, G.N.; Bohrer, G.; Cavender-Bares, J.; Chaplin-Kramer, R.; Chaver, F.P.; Dietze, M.C.; Fatoyinbo, T.E.; Gaddis, K.; Guralnick, R.P.; Hestir, E.; Muller-Karger, F.; Lynch, H.J.; Oliver, M.J.; Radeloff, V.C.; Sosik, H.M.; Townsend, P.A.; Turner, W.; Wilson, A.M. (2022). NASA Biological Diversity and Ecological Forecasting: Current state of knowledge and considerations for the next decade. NASA: Washington, DC. vii, 201 pp. |  |
| Authors | | Top | - Geller, G.N.
- Bohrer, G.
- Cavender-Bares, J.
- Chaplin-Kramer, R.
- Chaver, F.P.
- Dietze, M.C.
| - Fatoyinbo, T.E.
- Gaddis, K.
- Guralnick, R.P.
- Hestir, E.
- Muller-Karger, F.
- Lynch, H.J.
| - Oliver, M.J.
- Radeloff, V.C.
- Sosik, H.M.
- Townsend, P.A.
- Turner, W.
- Wilson, A.M.
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| Abstract | This report explores NASA’s role in observing, understanding, and forecasting life on Earth as part of NASA’s Mission and its Strategic Plan. The work is led and carried out through NASA’s Biological Diversity and Ecological Forecasting program elements, and the report explores topics of particular relevance to these two program elements. This, in turn, provides a context for identifying opportunities for NASA to consider as it plans for the next decade. Consequently, a key output of the report is a collection of Considerations for NASA developed by the authors—these are discussed in Chapter 8 and listed in full in Appendix C. The information presented is particularly timely as thinking begins for the next National Academies’ Earth Science Decadal Survey and as the Convention on Biological Diversity’snascent Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework evolves. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth at all levels of biological organization–ecosystems, species, and genes; it is a fundamental characteristic of the planet. However, the Earth’s natural systems are changing rapidly, and this has important implications for its biodiversity and the benefits humans receive from it. NASA’s Biological Diversity and Ecological Forecasting program elements study Earth from space to understand that biodiversity, how and why it is changing, how it may change in the future, and to provideinformation to decision makers. Chapters 2–7 explore six broad topics central to the work of these program elements, including its relevance, current state of knowledge, and potential role for NASA in filling knowledge gaps as it plans for the next decade. This report demonstrates the value of remote sensing for understanding and monitoring biodiversity and for supporting policy and decision-making. |
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