GULF OF MEXICO BIODIVERSITY VULNERABILITY TOOL Mitigating marine biodiversity loss in coastal regions
THE ASU ADVANTAGE
Core Capabilities
Marine resources play an important role in the economies of coastal regions. Greater biodiversity contributes to a greater number of physical, biological, and non-extractive resources. The decline of marine plants and animals can lead to conflict over resources and adversely impact these regions. It is critical to understand how human activity affects marine life so that restoration and recovery initiatives can be made effectively. The Gulf of Mexico decision-support tool developed by the Decision Theater team allows stakeholders to examine specific areas within the Gulf, identify which species are in that area, and assess the risks for those species.
The Gulf of Mexico Marine Biodiversity Vulnerability tool demonstrates the species-based consequences of development and oil rig operation along the gulf coast. Decision Theater partnered with the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes in the ASU School of Sustainability to incorporate their research on species vulnerability into a visualized, usable software tool. The species vulnerability index, which powers this tool’s findings, gives a first-ever comprehensive ranking for life in the region and offers a new metric for decision makers to consider. Through geospatial informatics, stakeholders are able to fully visualize where vulnerabilities lie within the Gulf of Mexico. This enables them to better prioritize species, habitat, and ecosystem conservation and restoration when making operational planning decisions.
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Decision-makers need to make decisions within resource constraints and regions. They need to know what species are in an area and what their vulnerability is to extinction or threats. There are so many questions you can ask of this data in terms of management and decision science to help facilitate decision making.” Dr. Beth Polidoro Associate Director of the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes ASU School of Sustainability
