Modelling the potential distribution of Biodiversity for Colombia

Modelling the potential distribution of Biodiversity for Colombia - Dolors Armenteras

Supervisors : Dr. Mark Mulligan, King's College London.
Dr Cristian Samper, Instituto von Humboldt, Colombia.

Dolors Armenteras dolors@colomsat.net.co

Main Objective

To develop a methodology for mapping the potential distribution of biodiversity in Colombia on the basis of geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) derived data.

Rationale

Colombia has a continental area of 114,174,800 hectares that represents approximately 0.7% of the world's surface. Within this area one finds 10% of the worlds' biodiversity. This makes Colombia one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. This country is also considered to have one of the highest threats of biodiversity loss due to human intervention and where estimates indicate that only 10% of its species are known (IAVH, 1998; 1998a). A comprehensive assessment of the status of diversity in Colombia and its spatial distribution are needed as a basis upon which to start monitoring biodiversity and in order to develop conservation policies. However, monitoring requires a baseline inventory, a full inventory is basically impossible to achieve in such rich tropical areas.

Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System technologies can play an important role in biodiversity research and studies like this one can provide a tool for providing information readily available for decision makers to execute their national biodiversity planning and for scientists to focus future scientific efforts on. This approach has never been taken before in Colombia. This study will identify, analyse and model the factors controlling biodiversity and will direct attention towards the role of the climatic, biophysical and anthropogenic factors as measurable indicators of biodiversity.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this research are as follows:

1. Identify the origins and controls of biodiversity in Colombia.

2. Create a countrywide environmental GIS database for Colombia (1 km pixel resolution).

3. Map the distribution of climatic, biophysical, anthropogenic and any other factors identified as biodiversity controlling factors.

4. Identify needs for additional information.

5. Analyse the availability and both the temporal and spatial characteristics of the factors from point 3.

6. Develop a GIS model for mapping the potential biological diversity in Colombia.

7. Identify control areas and test the validity of the model and compare alternatives.

8. Analyse trends and identify "hot spots" and ecosystems at high risk due to anthropogenic stress.

9. Provide a final tool for desision makers and scientists (at Humboldt Institute).

References

IAvH, 1998. INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACION DE RECURSOS BIOLOGICOS ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, Colombia biodiversidad siglo XXI: propuesta técnica para la formulación de un plan de accióon nacional en biodiversidad / Edts. M.C. Fandiño & P. Ferreira. Santafé de Bogotá: Instituto Humboldt, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, DNP, 254 p., Colombia

IAvH, (1998a) INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACION DE RECURSOS BIOLOGICOS ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT, Informe Nacional sobre el Estado de la Biodiversidad 1997- Colombia. Edts. M.E. Chaves & N. Arango, Santafé de Bogotá: Instituto Humboldt, PNUMA, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, 3 vol.