Assessing Potential Data Sources for Landscape-scale Terrestrial Biodiversity Indicators

Bradfer-Lawrence, T ORCID: 0000-0001-6045-4360, Harrison, M, Ashton-Butt, A ORCID: 0000-0002-6926-6099, Bennett, S ORCID: 0000-0002-7351-5051, Boyd, RJ ORCID: 0000-0002-7973-9865, Browning, E ORCID: 0000-0002-7959-9292, Buchanan, G ORCID: 0000-0001-9497-8584, Fraser, A ORCID: 0009-0003-6914-6809, Green, SE ORCID: 0000-0003-0513-8490, Hawkes, R ORCID: 0000-0001-6754-6794, Heath, BE ORCID: 0000-0002-9111-6994, Hsing, P-Y ORCID: 0000-0002-5394-879X, Isaac, NJB ORCID: 0000-0002-4869-8052, Jordan, M ORCID: 0000-0002-6623-5422, Mancini, F ORCID: 0000-0003-4085-4978, Metcalf, O ORCID: 0000-0003-3441-2591, Milodowski, DT ORCID: 0000-0002-8419-8506, O’Brien, D ORCID: 0000-0001-7901-295X, O’Connor, R ORCID: 0000-0001-7633-4304, Pescott, OL ORCID: 0000-0002-0685-8046 et al (2026) Assessing Potential Data Sources for Landscape-scale Terrestrial Biodiversity Indicators. Environmental Management, 76 (6). ISSN 0364-152X

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Abstract

Global efforts to mitigate anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity and ecosystems will often be realised through management at landscape-scales (i.e., in the range of 100s–1000 s km2). In consequence, we need to measure biodiversity responses at landscape-scales to ensure mitigations are effectively protecting and restoring ecosystems. Yet many countries currently lack monitoring programmes that can generate indicators of biodiversity at these scales. Localised monitoring (e.g., 1 km2) is often amalgamated into national-scale indicators, however, this leaves a substantial gap in the middle of this spatial gradient, limiting availability of information at decision-relevant scales. Here, using the United Kingdom as a case study, we explored the suitability of seven sources of biodiversity data which could be used to construct landscape-scale indicators. We surveyed 70, mostly UK-based, monitoring experts for their opinions on structured and unstructured in-person surveys, camera traps, eDNA, drones, passive acoustic recorders, and satellite remote sensing. We assessed data source utility to construct indicators reflecting Essential Biodiversity Variables, i.e., as holistic measures of taxa or ecosystems rather than assessments of individual management interventions. All seven data sources were deemed suitable, and experts expected developments in technology and infrastructure to greatly increase this potential over the next decade. However, there are technical, analytical, logistical and financial barriers to establishing monitoring networks that could yield the requisite data for landscape-scale indicators. Resolving these issues requires substantial research, policy commitment and investment, but landscape-scale indicators will be essential for the UK to undertake adaptive management and monitor nature recovery.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ecology
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Springer
Date of acceptance:	10 April 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	6 May 2026
Date Deposited:	05 May 2026 09:17
Last Modified:	06 May 2026 00:50
DOI or ID number:	10.1007/s00267-026-02477-2
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28513

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