NatureServe is proud to announce the launch of its Conservation
Data Portal for the Western U.S., an innovative resource designed
to support the prioritization of conservation resources across the
vast and ecologically rich American West. Central to this
initiative is the updated Map of Biodiversity Importance (MoBI), a
critical tool for identifying areas essential for species survival
that has been enhanced with new data and advanced technologies to
better support conservation planning and action.
Impact and Real-World Applications
The original version of MoBI, released in 2020, has been
instrumental in conservation. Examples include its integration into
the U.S. Forest Service’s Climate Risk Viewer and MoBI’s use in
corporate evaluations of conservation value. The newly updated
version of MoBI identifies new areas of biodiversity importance and
ensures that our current understanding of what’s at risk, and
what’s protected, can be adequately represented in conservation
plans. The updated maps have also highlighted previously
underappreciated biodiversity hotspots, such as the Rio Grande and
Pecos Rivers (hotspots for freshwater species) and the desert
southwest (a hotspot for rare plants).
Other data in NatureServe’s Conservation Portal for the Western
U.S., including curated maps of at-risk ecosystems, freshwater
biodiversity value, and climate change vulnerability, will support
a wide variety of conservation partners, to understand multiple
conservation values and develop science-based plans for a more
sustainable future.
Empowering Conservation with Cutting-Edge Data
With biodiversity under unprecedented threat, NatureServe’s
Conservation Data Portal for the Western U.S. provides essential
analyses and tools grounded in the best-available science. This
project was made possible with support the William and Flora
Hewlett Foundation’s Western Conservation program. By making these
analyses publicly accessible, NatureServe empowers conservation
actors – like scientists, communities, agencies, and policymakers –
to make informed decisions based on their own conservation values,
fostering the protection of Western species and ecosystems.
Innovative Advances in the Map of Biodiversity Importance
(MoBI)
The resolution of MoBI is now 9x more precise than the initial
release – moving from 990-meters to 330-meters, or about 10 down to
3 soccer fields. It includes over 600 species that have been newly
identified as at-risk and reflects the latest information about
protected areas in the United States. Thanks to recent investments
in data development for pollinators, which are increasingly
recognized for their important ecosystem service value, MoBI now
includes an entirely new group of taxa: solitary bees.
These improvements are possible due to technological
advancements, including streamlined machine learning processes for
producing habitat models. Bringing together 50 years of local
knowledge on known species occurrences collected by NatureServe’s
network of state partners with powerful predictive modeling
techniques provides an unparalleled understanding of the places
most important to conserve. These advances also support efforts
such as the 30 by 30 initiative, an ambitious endeavor to conserve
30% of nature by 2030.
Collaborative Efforts and Technological Partnerships
The success of NatureServe’s Conservation Data Portal for the
Western U.S. is built on strong partnerships. The NatureServe
Network, comprised of 60+ of state natural heritage programs and
Canadian conservation data centers, has played a crucial role in
surveying biodiversity and assessing conservation status.
Additionally, technology partners like Esri have provided
invaluable support, contributing expertise and resources that have
been pivotal in advancing MoBI’s capabilities.
Public Access and Future Developments
The updated MoBI datasets are available through Esri’s Living
Atlas of the World and NatureServe’s open data portal, which also
provides direct access to many of the other conservation data
offerings. NatureServe also plans to publish individual species
models that are inputs to MoBI on NatureServe Explorer Pro, further
expanding the accessibility of critical conservation data and
enabling a wide range of stakeholders, from conservation planners
to researchers, to utilize the data in their efforts to protect
biodiversity.
Expert Perspectives
"NatureServe’s Conservation Data Portal for the Western U.S.
represents a major step forward in our efforts to conserve
biodiversity in the American West," said Anne Bowser, CEO at
NatureServe. "The enhanced Map of Biodiversity Importance provides
the high-resolution data needed to make informed, strategic
conservation decisions."
"The collaboration and technological advancements behind this
project highlight the incredible potential for science and
technology to drive conservation," added Lori Scott, Executive
Director at NatureServe. "By integrating cutting-edge modeling
techniques and expanding our species coverage, we are better
equipped to identify and protect critical habitats, ensuring the
preservation of our natural heritage for future generations."
Looking Ahead
NatureServe’s launch of the Conservation Data Portal for the
Western U.S., with its updated Map of Biodiversity Importance,
marks a significant advancement in the field of conservation
science. By providing robust, high-resolution data and tools,
NatureServe is empowering conservationists to protect the
biodiversity of the American West more effectively than ever
before.
To access NatureServe’s Conservation Data Portal for the Western
U.S. visit: https://bit.ly/data-portal-west
To view additional multimedia content visit: Media Folder -
NatureServe's Conservation Data Portal for the Western US
Additional Partner quotes:
“Effective conservation requires understanding
where action is most needed, and also how to target efforts, and
with what priority,” said Sean Breyer, Esri Director of
ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World. “We are proud to have worked
with NatureServe to make this important biodiversity data publicly
available so that organizations and individuals involved in
conservation initiatives can make better-informed decisions and
have a greater impact.”
About NatureServeFor 50 years,
NatureServe has been the authoritative source for biodiversity data
throughout North America. To protect threatened biodiversity,
NatureServe works with over 60 organizations and 1,000+
conservation scientists in the U.S. and Canada to collect, analyze,
and deliver standardized biodiversity information, providing
comprehensive spatial data to meet both regulatory and conservation
needs. NatureServe and its network partners develop and manage data
for over 100,000 species and ecosystems, answering fundamental
questions about what exists, where it is found, and how it is
doing. Visit www.natureserve.org to learn more.
- NatureServe's Map of Biodiversity Importance
- Central & Southern Californian Coastal Sage Scrub
Samantha Belilty
NatureServe
703-908-1871
Sam@NatureServe.org