How do we measure nature?

The health of our planet relies on understanding how nature is changing. But how do we quantify something as vast and complex as nature itself?

The answer lies in nature indicators, a set of tools designed to measure different aspects of nature and track its condition over time.

Why measure nature?

No single indicator can capture everything about nature. Instead, we need a suite of indicators to provide a comprehensive picture. These indicators help us:

How nature is measured

No single indicator can capture the full picture. Nature indicators function like a diverse team, each providing a distinct perspective. For example, the Red List Index measures recent changes in the level of extinction risk within groups of species, while the Biodiversity Intactness Index offers a long-term view by showing how much of an area’s natural biodiversity remains.

The main indicator in the Living Planet Report is the Living Planet Index (LPI). This tracks changes in populations of vertebrate species (amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles) that are being monitored at sites around the world, drawing on data from over 35,000 populations across 5,495 species. It pulls together these various population trends to show the average overall change since 1970. The global LPI can be divided into separate indexes for terrestrial, freshwater and marine species, or calculated for different regions.


Nature indicators: Telling the story of change

Nature indicators go beyond documenting the past. They can also help us plan for the future. By analyzing current trends, we can project how nature might change under different scenarios. This allows us to identify potential risks and select effective solutions to minimize negative impacts and maximize the benefits nature provides.

Healthy and diverse populations are essential for a well-functioning ecosystem. As well as tracking the size of populations, we can use indicators to investigate the role of species within the broader ecosystem. 

For example, studies show that the decline of large fruit-eating animals in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest disrupts seed dispersal. This is leading to changes in the types of trees that make up the forest and reducing the amount of carbon it stores. 

Nature indicators provide a powerful language for understanding the health of our planet. They reveal the urgency of the situation and offer valuable insights for effective conservation strategies. By embracing these tools, we can work towards a future where nature thrives for generations to come.