Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Biodiversity, a fundamental aspect of ecosystems, refers to the variety of life forms found within a given area. Ecosystems with high biodiversity are more resilient to environmental changes and have a greater capacity to adapt. They provide habitat for countless species, ensuring their survival and promoting genetic diversity. This biodiversity is also the foundation for numerous ecosystem services that directly impact human well-being.
A new app that could possibly assist in protecting and restoring ecosystems and the atmosphere across the globe was recently launched by Aberystwyth University academics in Wales.
As part of the Living Wales project, scientists have produced the app that tracks information on land cover applying internationally-recognized terms. This can track over 240 types of alterations that consist of forest clearance, fire damage, flooding as well as erosion, which are impacted by humans and natural events alike.
The app known as ‘Earthtrack’, has already played a role in mapping and evaluating forests and habitats in Wales along with other parts of the world like the impact it had on fire damage along with recovery in Australia, as indicated by scientists.
After a period of testing and assessment, the scientists are currently planning to take the application of Earthtrack to more people and groups both in Wales and further giving them a chance to restore ecosystems and biodiversity, manage land sustainably, as well as engaging in climate change.
During the launch, the team had displayed new and enhanced land cover maps for Wales, such as the new Living Wales Habitat Map.
“This new app, Earthtrack, is part of our efforts to support the protection, conservation and restoration of the World’s ecosystems and their biodiversity. It directly provides information that can be used to develop and validate maps of land cover and change generated from satellite or aircraft data, in near real time and historically. Records submitted using the app can also help to track progress towards creating better environments for people and nature,” explained Professor Richard Lucas from the Earth Observation Group at Aberystwyth University.
