Often taken for granted, biodiversity plays a central role in keeping natural systems in balance. It supports clean air and water, stable food supplies and the resilience ecosystems need to withstand change.
Employing environmental intelligence
However, as pressures from climate change, population growth and industrial activity increase, preserving this biological richness has become one of the most urgent challenges of our time.
Recent global research reinforces this reality. Studies published in Nature highlight how biodiversity loss accelerates ecosystem instability, while the World Health Organization continues to highlight the direct links between biodiversity, human health and long-term resilience. It is clear that protecting ecosystems is no longer just an environmental concern, but a societal one.
Rethinking environmental protection through environmental intelligence
To address this challenge, we need faster insight, better coordination and a more complete understanding of how environmental systems interact over time. Thankfully, around the world, environmental agencies are rethinking how they monitor, analyze and protect the landscapes under their care.
For example, Colombia’s Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR Cundinamarca) oversees one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. As environmental conditions shift and responsibilities continue to grow, the organization moved beyond fragmented information toward developing a clearer, more connected view of the ecosystems it is tasked with protecting.
Building a living picture of environmental change
CAR Cundinamarca built South America’s first spatial data infrastructure (SDI) dedicated to environmental management, giving scientists, policymakers and field teams a shared foundation for understanding water quality, biodiversity, land use, air pollution, natural hazards and more.
By integrating decades of imagery, sensor readings and ecological records into a unified environment, the agency created a living picture of environmental change that grows more insightful over time.
From data access to better decisions
The benefits go well beyond simply getting data in order. With a shared environmental picture, teams can move faster, plan with greater confidence and shift from reactive responses to proactive conservation. For example, it becomes easier to spot early signs of deforestation, erosion, pollution or illegal activity and to direct timely and effective restoration efforts.
In addition, communities gain clearer insights into the health of the landscapes in their regions. For the first time, CAR Cundinamarca can see how rivers, forests, wetlands and urban areas influence one another, uncovering patterns that were once difficult to access though disconnected systems.
A model emerging worldwide
This approach reflects a broader shift happening globally. From South America to Europe and Asia, environmental authorities are beginning to treat biodiversity protection not only as a scientific responsibility, but also as a data and governance challenge.
By pairing field expertise with geospatial analytics, automated monitoring and interoperable platforms, organizations are gaining the clarity needed to protect natural resources with greater accuracy and speed.
Stewardship for a changing climate
Biodiversity is resilient, but only when supported by informed stewardship. As climate pressures grow, regions that thrive will be those that invest early in environmental intelligence, where data moves freely, insight is shared and decisions are grounded in a complete understanding of interconnected ecosystems.
CAR Cundinamarca’s work offers a compelling example of what becomes possible when environmental protection, geospatial science and modern data governance come together. It shows that safeguarding nature is not only essential, but achievable, and that the path forward begins with deeply knowing ecosystems to ultimately protect them.
Read the full CAR Cundinamarca case study
Fábio Guerra has more than two decades’ experience leading marketing efforts for large software companies. For the last 10 years, he has been the marketing manager for Latin America for Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division. He is a hands-on leader, supporting meaningful and collaborative partnerships with customers across his region.
