Data gathered from space can enhance our comprehension of life on Earth.
A significant international research initiative, supported by NASA and co-directed by Erin Hestir, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Merced, has proven that we can monitor and assess Earth’s biodiversity from space. This effort provides crucial insights into both land and aquatic ecosystems. Hestir headed a team with University of Buffalo geography professor Adam Wilson and Professor Jasper Slingsby from the University of Cape Town on a project called BioSCape, which gathered data over a six-week period in late 2024.
Two NASA aircraft, alongside one from South Africa, flew over the Greater Cape Floristic Region in South Africa, which is recognized as one of the most biodiverse areas globally, to capture ultraviolet, visual, thermal, and various other images. The combination of this data with field research conducted by a large team of scientists from the U.S. and South Africa offers an in-depth view of the region’s life systems and biodiversity.
“This marked NASA’s inaugural campaign focusing on biodiversity,” stated Hestir. “We met all our measurement goals, and the information gathered is aiding the development of innovative techniques to monitor biodiversity from space globally. It’s a thrilling scientific venture.”
Wilson remarked that BioSCape showcased the accomplishments that can be achieved when scientists collaborate across continents, expressing hope that this model can be duplicated in other areas.
“In just six weeks, over 160 scientists from around the globe came together to gather and analyze data from terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems within one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.”
The team has recently published two papers detailing BioSCape’s findings in the journals Nature Reviews Biodiversity and npj Biodiversity.
Once the researchers confirmed they could capture the required data from aircraft, NASA can utilize these innovative combinations of instruments to broaden the project on a global scale.
“Launching a satellite into orbit is quite costly,” Slingsby noted. “You need to ensure it will fulfill its mission before proceeding. That’s why we start with airborne studies, which serve as an essential testing ground. If we can effectively collect data from a plane, it brings us closer to achieving the same results from space.”
The research team selected the Greater Cape Region of South Africa due to its “extraordinary levels of biodiversity, significant conservation challenges, and a mature and progressive community dedicated to research and conservation,” as they described.
The tools they created allowed for an investigation into changes in community composition, disturbance and recovery of ecosystems, and the roles ecosystems play and their benefits to humanity.
Addressing the loss of biodiversity has become a pressing global objective, highlighting the necessity for scientists to enhance their capabilities in mapping and monitoring changes. The researchers have made their data publicly accessible, aiming to enable scientists and the general public worldwide to utilize it. They aspire that the methods and insights developed will influence the creation of new technologies for assessing land and sea ecosystems, thus improving biodiversity conservation efforts.
They eagerly await future developments.
“BioSCape is enhancing technical skills in South Africa, and we are optimistic about empowering the community to leverage NASA’s advanced and freely available satellite imagery for improved conservation,” stated Anabelle Cardoso, the science team manager.
“In a year’s time, we anticipate new discoveries and deeper insights,” Hestir added. “We are pushing the boundaries of technology to measure life on Earth from space.”
