Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with many unique species and ecosystems. However, this rich biodiversity is under threat, and there is an urgent need to better understand these changes and support informed conservation decisions. Satellite data and Earth Observation (EO) tools offer powerful ways to monitor biodiversity, but we still know little about how they actually influence real-world decision-making.

This project looks at how four NASA-supported efforts have contributed to biodiversity conservation in Colombia. These include two online platforms—BioTablero and BioModelos—that provide important maps and biodiversity indicators, a set of data products on forest structure and diversity, and a protocol for community-based biodiversity monitoring. We worked with national parks, regional environmental authorities, research institutes, and a women-led community group to assess how these tools were used in actual conservation actions, such as designating and managing protected areas.

We created three case studies showing how EO products directly supported decisions at national, regional, and local levels. The projects helped improve methods, tools, and capacity for biodiversity monitoring, and connected science with policy. Long-term use of these tools can support sustainable conservation—especially if institutional barriers and staffing issues are addressed to ensure wider adoption.