A scientific approach to nature data
Using scientific concepts to understand nature
Welcome to the Nature Data Newsletter. Each month, we share insights with data enthusiasts, GIS experts, and investors learning about nature data.
Nature is complex.
Ecosystems are dimensional systems. They consist of thousands of interacting abiotic and biotic components and processes.
Whilst these components are fairly consistent worldwide, localised differences exist. For example:
Species and soil types differ among habitats, sites, biomes, and regions.
Some components can be geographically constrained e.g., trees and ice.
All components interact with each other on different spatial and temporal scales.
This complexity creates challenges for organisations seeking to assess, disclose, and manage nature-related risks. International goal-setting and reporting frameworks, such as SBTN and TNFD, offer a useful starting point. They spark a process of self-examination and strategic action.
However, these frameworks have been designed to meet global requirements. They are high-level guides, not 'how-to' manuals. To ensure corporate action on nature is effective, the private sector must make independent efforts to interpret natural ecosystems.
In this newsletter, we share Cecil’s science-based approach to understanding nature.
A scientific approach to understanding nature
Environmental science offers a strong conceptual basis for understanding nature.
Ecosystems follow general rules at large scales (e.g., latitude-based tree lines) and small scales (e.g., enzyme activities). Yet local context shapes how they behave at the site scale (e.g., plantation or farm).
At Cecil, we draw on these rules to translate environmental science into an operational system to understand nature at the site scale. We use the best available scientific methods, tools, and theories to identify scientific concepts (e.g., plant biomass, soil water content, biodiversity) that describe nature.
Against a method or technology-based approach, we see scientific concepts as a future-proof way to interpret nature:
They can apply to new use cases, technologies, and frameworks that don’t yet exist.
They ensure new science will fit modularly into what we can interpret now.
They protect against methods or technologies being surpassed in the future.
Scientific concepts are guiding how we build data infrastructure for nature. We have started with plant biomass.
The foundational importance of plant biomass
Plant biomass refers to the total amount (volume or mass) of organic matter produced by plants. It is mostly made up of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
We have decided to focus on this scientific concept first for three reasons:
Industries exposed to nature-related risks, such as forestry and agriculture, rely on plant biomass data to support business-level analysis. For example, foresters need accurate canopy cover measurements to track the health of their forests, whilst plant height is monitored by farmers all over the world.
Plant biomass influences other scientific concepts of business-value. Examples include crop yield, ecosystem carbon stock, soil moisture, and fire/flood risk.
We are on a mission to deliver precise and accurate nature data. We believe that in-depth understanding of scientific concepts, rather than superficial coverage, is required to achieve this ambitious goal.
Introducing: Cecil Epics
Scientific concepts can help anyone interpret nature. To further illustrate this belief, we’re publishing our first Epic.
Cecil Epics share the details behind scientific concepts and how we create data infrastructure to support them.
Please help us improve our Plant Biomass Epic by sending feedback to hello@cecil.earth.
In newsletter #2, we'll explore criteria that can be used to select plant biomass datasets for analysis.
Insights
1. Why context matters
“Making mental connections is our most crucial learning tool. The essence of human intelligence; to forge links; to go beyond the given; to see patterns, relationships, context.” (Marilyn Ferguson)
2. There’s no shortage of nature data
“There is no shortage of nature data but rather a lack of understanding about how data can be used to derive information that is decision-relevant to end users.” (TNFD discussion paper)
3. The limitations of our quest for nature data
“We have to use proxies and related indicators to approximate this inherently abstract and complex (nature) system. We must not obsess about loading up with data for the sake of data. That is not to say we should discount complexity and rely on overly simplistic self-serving assumptions. But we must understand the limitations of this quest for more data.” (James d’Ath)
Learn
TNFD paper summarising a landscape assessment of nature data and analytics availability.
Cassidy Rankine explains why GIS and remote sensing professionals should explore satellite imagery time series analysis.
Research paper on climate risks to soy-maize double-cropping due to Amazon deforestation.
TerraWatch newsletter on the state of earth observation for climate.
Notice Board
Cecil is seeking nature data enthusiasts to give feedback on their data infrastructure. Details here.
terraPulse announce partnership with the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S Geological Survey to monitor American Black Duck habitats.
Climate Collective and the World Bank launch the Green Accountability Technology Accelerator.
Planet release datasets in Sentinel Hub for land surface temperature, soil water content, crop biomass, and forest carbon.
Kanop’s aboveground biomass study is a significant milestone for ecosystem service quantification.
Kita and Oxbow Partners discuss the data risks and opportunities of carbon credits.
Carto release dates for their geospatial data conference in London.
Space Intelligence chief scientist identifies flaws in West et Al paper.
The Deep Earth System Data Lab Project is looking for researchers in the earth system sciences.
Thank you
Thanks for reading and for supporting Cecil. A special thank you to everyone who supported us this month with feedback, introductions, and advice:
Alicia Gibson, Andrew Farnsworth, Andrew Feierman, Andrew Ford, Alix Pouchol, Arthur Broadbent, Chad Burton, Claire Wightman, Colleen Spalding, Cori Grainger, David Heislers, Franziska Schrodt, Jeffrey Kuperman, Johnny Wilson, Mansi Agrawal, Maryn van der Laarse, Mateus Mendes, Matt Taylor, Miranda Joicey, Romain Fau, Sabine Nix, Sam Gregory, Sean Chua, Rosie French, and Will Mulhern.
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Do you have a nature data announcement to share with this community? Please contact hello@cecil.earth and we’ll include it in the next issue.
This newsletter is curated by Cecil. From curating data providers, to preparing data for analysis, Cecil’s nature data infrastructure helps data teams access accurate and precise nature data. They are trusted by teams such as Foresight Sustainable Forestry, Kilter Rural, and Impact Ag Partners to manage data on 3,000+ natural assets and 3+ million hectares.