10
The final chapters of the book move to the issues of temporal and spectral scale
and integration across scales. Gamon et al. (Chap. 16) present a thorough examination of the challenges in spectral methods for detecting biodiversity posed by issues
of spatial, temporal, and spectral dimensions of scale. They explain why the size of
the organism relative to the pixel size of detection has consequences for spectral
detection of different components of biodiversity and draw on a rich history of literature on scaling effects, including geostatistical approaches for sampling across
spatial scales. The chapter emphasizes the importance of developing biodiversity
monitoring systems that are “scale-aware” as well as the value of an integrated,
multi-scale sampling approach.
Schrodt et al. (Chap. 17) outline how environmental and socioeconomic data can
be integrated with biodiversity and RS data to expand knowledge of ecosystem
functioning and inform biodiversity conservation decisions. They present the concepts, data, and methods necessary to assess plant species and ecosystem properties
across spatial and temporal scales and provide a critical discussion of the major
challenges.
Fernández et al. (Chap. 18) provide a framework for understanding Essential
Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) to integrate in-situ biodiversity observations and RS
through modeling. They argue that open and reproducible workflows for data integration are critical to ensure traceability and reproducibility to allow each EBV to
be updated as new data and observation systems become available. The chapter
makes the case that the development of a globally coordinated system for biodiversity monitoring will require the mobilization of and integration of in-situ biodiversity data not yet publicly available with emerging RS technologies, novel biodiversity
models, and informatics infrastructures.
Schimel et al. (Chap. 19) discuss the prospects and pitfalls for RS of biodiversity
at the global scale, focusing on imaging spectroscopy and NASA’s Surface Biology
and Geology mission concept.
Finally, Geller et al. (Chap. 20) provide an epilogue to the book and present a
vision for a global biodiversity monitoring system that is flexible and accessible to
a range of user communities. Such a system will require a coordinated effort among
space agencies, the RS community, and biologists to bring information about the
status and trends in biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ecosystem services
together so that different data streams inform each other and can be integrated. The
chapter explains that the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation
Network (GEO BON), the International Long Term Ecological Research Site
(ILTER) network, the US National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), and
a variety of sponsors and other organizations are working to enhance coordination
and to develop guidelines and standards that will serve this vision.
Indeed, a rapidly advancing global movement has emerged with a shared vision
to develop the capacity to monitor the status and trends in the Earth’s biodiversity.
The authors of this book have sought to contribute to that shared vision through
their varied perspectives and experiences. Collectively, the chapters present a range
of approaches and knowledge that can transform the ability of humanity to detect
and interpret the changing functional biodiversity of planet Earth.
J. Cavender-Bares et al.
The final chapters of the book move to the issues of temporal and spectral scale
and integration across scales. Gamon et al. (Chap. 16) present a thorough examination of the challenges in spectral methods for detecting biodiversity posed by issues
of spatial, temporal, and spectral dimensions of scale. They explain why the size of
the organism relative to the pixel size of detection has consequences for spectral
detection of different components of biodiversity and draw on a rich history of literature on scaling effects, including geostatistical approaches for sampling across
spatial scales. The chapter emphasizes the importance of developing biodiversity
monitoring systems that are “scale-aware” as well as the value of an integrated,
multi-scale sampling approach.
Schrodt et al. (Chap. 17) outline how environmental and socioeconomic data can
be integrated with biodiversity and RS data to expand knowledge of ecosystem
functioning and inform biodiversity conservation decisions. They present the concepts, data, and methods necessary to assess plant species and ecosystem properties
across spatial and temporal scales and provide a critical discussion of the major
challenges.
Fernández et al. (Chap. 18) provide a framework for understanding Essential
Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) to integrate in-situ biodiversity observations and RS
through modeling. They argue that open and reproducible workflows for data integration are critical to ensure traceability and reproducibility to allow each EBV to
be updated as new data and observation systems become available. The chapter
makes the case that the development of a globally coordinated system for biodiversity monitoring will require the mobilization of and integration of in-situ biodiversity data not yet publicly available with emerging RS technologies, novel biodiversity
models, and informatics infrastructures.
Schimel et al. (Chap. 19) discuss the prospects and pitfalls for RS of biodiversity
at the global scale, focusing on imaging spectroscopy and NASA’s Surface Biology
and Geology mission concept.
Finally, Geller et al. (Chap. 20) provide an epilogue to the book and present a
vision for a global biodiversity monitoring system that is flexible and accessible to
a range of user communities. Such a system will require a coordinated effort among
space agencies, the RS community, and biologists to bring information about the
status and trends in biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ecosystem services
together so that different data streams inform each other and can be integrated. The
chapter explains that the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation
Network (GEO BON), the International Long Term Ecological Research Site
(ILTER) network, the US National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), and
a variety of sponsors and other organizations are working to enhance coordination
and to develop guidelines and standards that will serve this vision.
Indeed, a rapidly advancing global movement has emerged with a shared vision
to develop the capacity to monitor the status and trends in the Earth’s biodiversity.
The authors of this book have sought to contribute to that shared vision through
their varied perspectives and experiences. Collectively, the chapters present a range
of approaches and knowledge that can transform the ability of humanity to detect
and interpret the changing functional biodiversity of planet Earth.
J. Cavender-Bares et al.