Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/L013045/1
Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT) version 1.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr J Moat, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Biodiversity Informatics
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr S Bachman, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Ecosystem Stewardship
- Grant held at:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Biodiversity Informatics
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Conservation Ecology
- Abstract:
- By directly producing data to support assessments using Red List Categories and Criteria, GeoCAT specifically responds to the challenge of 'identifying thresholds beyond which a change in biodiversity will lead to extinctions', as stated under the Biodiversity theme of NERC's strategy (Next Generation Science for Planet Earth 2007-2012). No other product at present is delivering this essential service, thus contributing to UK leadership in this field. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, which contains a high-volume of recent and historical data on plants (over 7 million specimens), has become a hub for plant Red List assessment activity and innovation. Furthermore, as a result of advanced data capture techniques e.g. digitisation of specimen collections (Global Plants Initiative), a deluge of species occurrence data now exists - see also the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). However very few tools have been built to harness this primary data for secondary outputs such as extinction risk assessments. These assessments lead to conservation action and will safeguard species for the future, leading to the long term persistence of ecosystems that are vital for human health, wellbeing and economic growth. To ensure that the community can address growing challenges such as predicting the impact of climate change on species distributions, it is necessary to make further enhancements to GeoCAT and fully release it. In relation to the remit of our institution, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's mission is: To inspire and deliver science-based plant conservation worldwide, enhancing the quality of life. Specifically, Kew is committed to identifying species of plants at greatest threat of extinction in order to guide conservation policy (Convention on Biological Diversity 2020 - Target 12, Global Strategy for Plant Conservation - Target 2) and action (in situ conservation, seed banking and propagation). GeoCAT is a user friendly product that makes light demands from the user, unlike statistical or GIS software that demand a high technical overhead. GeoCAT works in areas where internet connectivity is poor and requires very little experience and has therefore proven to be a valuable tool as part of capacity building projects for our global conservation partners. GeoCAT offers a consistent, transparent and data driven analytical method that can be used to provide baselines in threat status of species from which changes and trends can be monitored.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/L013045/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Directed (RP) - NR1
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Big Data
This grant award has a total value of £81,844
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Equipment | DA - Other Directly Allocated |
|---|---|
| £62,000 | £19,843 |
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