Welcome to the Ecosystem Insights Hub

This programme explores new geospatial methods to monitor, value and protect the diversity of life on earth, for people and the planet. By accelerating the integration of Very High-Resolution satellite imagery, artificial intelligence (AI) and in-situ field data, we help conservation partners synthesise data for effective ecosystem and biodiversity actions across diverse species and ecosystems. We aim to support the development of new methods from conceptual ideas into a mature and impactful practice.

Satellite-based Earth observation helps us understand the changing conditions of Earth’s natural life support systems. However, despite advances in satellite technology, much of this data remains fragmented and too low a resolution to fully capture the functional diversity and health of ecosystems.

In 2022, the Connected Conservation Foundation partnered with the Airbus Foundation to explore how these new technologies might help transform global conservation efforts and the practical realities of applying these tools on the ground. Now 15 innovative projects, across 10 countries, have used these tools to enhance conservation planning, mitigate threats from human activity, inform actions and report progress to global biodiversity frameworks, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Through the hub we:

• Showcase achievements: Highlighting the successes, challenges and innovations in integrating VHR satellite data, machine learning and field data, from either ground-based observations or network sensors such as wildlife trackers, environmental sensors and camera traps.
• Share knowledge: Broadening the understanding and use of satellite technologies in sustainable natural resources management, early warning systems, ecosystem monitoring, coexistence and restoration strategies.
• Foster ongoing innovation: Enabling others to build on existing projects and develop new approaches.
• Promote collaboration: among diverse stakeholder groups to mature these tools and the analysis methods useful for a diverse set of use cases.

We invite you to explore our resources, which include data, methods, analysis and results to help conservation teams understand learnings across a range of use cases and reapply elsewhere.

Focus areas

We have organised projects according to biodiversity and ecosystem indicator categories used from the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive  (CSRD) and Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) reporting frameworks:

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State of Species

Projects focusing on the state of species abundance, distribution and extinction risks in relation to threats from environmental, social or commercial pressures. These projects assess threat level (IUCN Red List threat level), population sizes and extinction drivers including, changes in habitat area and quality.

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Invasive Species

Projects investigating the introduction, spread and management of invasive plant or animal species.

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Ecosystem Connectivity

Projects examining changes to “spatial configuration,” “structural connectivity,” and “functionality connectivity” - focusing on maintaining or enhancing the physical, biological and ecological linkages within and between ecosystems.

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Ecosystem Conversion and Restoration

Projects identifying and analysing the change in natural spaces to managed systems or built-up areas, as well as efforts to restore areas to their natural state.

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Ecosystem Management

Projects that track and inform management practices and operations, especially within or near biodiversity-sensitive areas. Including early-warning solutions that enable response to mitigate conservation issues.