GLOBIO - Mapping human impacts on the biosphere

The GLOBIO consortium has developed a global-scale spatial model of the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity. The model is designed to produce policy relevant indicators for use in assessments, scenario exercises and exploration of the impacts of policy options. The main indicator produced is the mean abundance of the original species belonging to an ecosystem (MSA): that is, the abundance of native wildlife.

The latest GLOBIO3 model estimates the impacts on biodiversity through time of land use change, climate change, fragmentation, infrastructure and nitrogen deposition. The original GLOBIO2 model considered infrastructure impacts only. A wide range of publications have been produced using both models.

The GLOBIO consortium of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP), UNEP/GRID Arendal and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre is being joined by new collaborators to extend the scope of the model. For example, the Sea Around Us Project at University of British Columbia is working on the impacts of fisheries on marine biodiversity. Regional applications are also being developed. The brochure of the 2002-2008 International Biodiversity Project at MNP summarises this broader collaborative effort.

Download the brochure:

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