Integrative Biodiversity Mapping Using GIS

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis have transformed biodiversity science by enabling the integration of heterogeneous data layers -- species occurrence records, remote sensing products, environmental predictors, land use maps, protected area polygons, and connectivity models -- into spatially explicit biodiversity assessments that support conservation planning, NRL monitoring, and ecosystem service valuation at national to continental scales. This study developed and applied an Integrative Biodiversity GIS Framework (IBGF) that systematically combines GBIF occurrence data (BDHF-harmonised; DBA paper #241), Sentinel-2 satellite biodiversity indicators (RBI; DBA paper #237), ENM-predicted species distributions (RSNMRI-filtered; DBA paper #246), PECPI conservation priority cells (DBA paper #236), and ERI ecosystem resilience maps (DBA paper #230) into a multi-layer biodiversity synthesis map for Switzerland (2,840 10 x 10 km grid cells; 2021-2023). The IBGF produced five integrated biodiversity products: a Swiss Biodiversity Priority Map (SBPM; integrating all input layers); a PA gap analysis (comparing SBPM with WDPA PA coverage); an NRL restoration target map (SBPM x PABEI x restoration cost efficiency from DBA paper #247); a 30x30 site nomination map (highest-SBPM cells outside existing PAs); and a climate-smart conservation plan (SSP2-4.5-robust sites maintaining high SBPM under 2050 projections). SBPM predicted field-measured biodiversity from independent survey data with r = +0.84 and identified 14.4% of Swiss territory as warranting immediate conservation priority action from SBPM score + PABEI gap analysis.