‘Taking the pulse of the planet’: could we monitor biodiversity from space as we do the weather?

With current data on global biodiversity either lacking or flawed, a global satellite scheme aims to fill the gaps to target protection of our seas, soils and wildlife

For the handful of people who get the chance to observe Earth from space, the impact is often profound. Called the overview effect", astronauts report being deeply moved by the experience, as the planet's fragility and beauty became clear. Others, such as the actor William Shatner, said they were overcome with grief.

Now, scientists are proposing the creation of a new system that they hope will use the view from space to transform our understanding of Earth's changing ecology and its complex systems.