Seed Biocomplexity Index
This layer measures the complexity of biodiversity at each location, drawing together variation across genes, species and ecosystems into a single index.
Category: Transition risks · Sensitive areas · High integrity areas Coverage: Global Format: Raster grid Used in risk analysis: Yes — gates Sensitive areas
What it shows
This layer measures the complexity of biodiversity at each location, drawing together variation across genes, species and ecosystems into a single index. It is designed to support transparent biodiversity reporting under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. By capturing more than a simple species count, it highlights places where biodiversity is most intact and intricate, and therefore most sensitive to disturbance.
How it is built
The index comes from the Sustainable Ecology and Economic Development (SEED) framework, which assesses the dimensions that structure biodiversity worldwide — genetics, species and ecosystems — across plants, animals and microbial taxa. These dimensions are consolidated into a single biocomplexity measure for every location, expressed relative to a reference ecosystem with minimal human disturbance. Seven distinct measures of biodiversity intactness are integrated into the final score. The framework is designed to keep incorporating new datasets over time, and results are delivered as a global grid.
How to read it
Higher values indicate greater biocomplexity — biodiversity that is richer and more intact across genetic, species and ecosystem dimensions, and therefore of higher conservation value and sensitivity. Lower values indicate biodiversity that is simpler or more degraded relative to the minimally disturbed reference state. The layer is intended to help decision-makers locate high-integrity areas and track changes in the state of nature.
Source
Sustainable Ecology and Economic Development (SEED) framework biocomplexity index, published via EcoEvoRxiv.
Comparison with the WWF Risk Filter Suite
The WWF Risk Filter Suite has no equivalent biocomplexity indicator, so this layer is a Darwin extension. WWF assesses ecosystem condition through a composite of separate measures (such as the Ecosystem Integrity Index, functional connectivity and river fragmentation), whereas the SEED index integrates genetic, species and ecosystem dimensions into one multi-taxa measure that has no direct counterpart in the WWF methodology.
Risk analysis
A site is flagged on a dimension by combining a proximity trigger (this layer) with an activity trigger (the entity's ENCORE pressure/service). Proximity only → Potentially material; proximity and the matching ENCORE pressure/service is material → Very material; neither → Not material.
| Dimension | ENCORE service / pressure | Proximity trigger (this layer) | Activity trigger (entity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitive areas | Sensitive area disturbance | Layer value above 80 | impact ratio ≥ 10%; “Disturbances (e.g noise, light)” pressure ≥ 4; “Introduction of invasive species” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of freshwater use” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of seabed use” pressure ≥ 4; “Area of land use” pressure ≥ 4; “Other biotic resource extraction (e.g. fish, timber)” pressure ≥ 4; “Volume of water use” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of non-GHG air pollutants” pressure ≥ 4; “Generation and release of solid waste” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of toxic soil and water pollutants” pressure ≥ 4; “Emissions of nutrient soil and water pollutants” pressure ≥ 4 |
Legend
Symbolised field: Seed index
| Class | Colour |
|---|---|
| ≤ 30 | #a50026 |
| ≤ 40 | #d73027 |
| ≤ 50 | #f46d43 |
| ≤ 60 | #fdae61 |
| ≤ 70 | #fee08b |
| ≤ 80 | #d9ef8b |
| ≤ 90 | #a6d96a |
| ≤ 95 | #66bd63 |
| ≤ 100 | #1a9850 |
| > 100 | #006837 |
Generated from darwin/layers/layer-seed-biocomplexity-index.toml and risk_indicator_pairs.toml (develop).