Designing optimal biodiversity observation networks

Michael D. Catchen , Francis Banville , Penelope Blyth, Chris Brimacombe, Gabriel Dansereau , Gracielle Higino , Thomas Malpas, Hana Mayall, Kari Norman , Tanya Strydom , Laura J. Pollock, Andrew Gonzalez , Timothée Poisot 

Meeting the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) requires a substantial increase in biodiversity monitoring effort, motivating the development of a Global Biodiversity Observing System (GBiOS). However, GBiOS cannot be built without a practical framework for designing effective biodiversity monitoring networks that balances budgetary constraints with competing policy objectives, which we currently lack. Here we provide the foundations for a theory of optimal biodiversity monitoring design based on: (1) a hierarchical, multi-layer architecture for monitoring networks that matches the multi-scale nature of ecological processes and environmental policymaking, (2) a simulation-based framework for evaluating the efficacy of monitoring network design against the variety of plausible “ecological worlds”, and (3) an integrative toolbox for monitoring design, drawing on methods from spatial sampling theory, environmental monitoring design, and optimal decision theory. Together, these form a basis for building the most effective GBiOS possible to best inform policymaking and meet the goals and targets of the GBF.