Mapping St Helena's Biodiversity and Natural Environment to understand its resilience and adaptability to development pressures and climate change

This project produced a series of high-detail island-wide maps and datasets, showing a baseline of habitat types, soils and other associated environmental information. The purpose of this information is to support island conservation and future management activities by helping to understand biodiversity, species (particularly endemic) geographic distribution and dynamic, protect and restore native habitats, control invasive species, aid sustainable agriculture, land resource planning and water resource management.

These maps and dataset outputs were derived from a combination of analysis of multi-spectral satellite imagery, ground-truthing field work and analysis of relevant historical and current datasets available. Additionally, training was provided to local stakeholders in order for this data to be updated over time, via a ‘living map’; subjects include an introduction to remote sensing and how environmental data is derived, field work methodology and data collection, mapping techniques. The data is be available for any organisation involved in decision making to do with land and species management.