Essential Biodiversity Variables Framework for Terrestrial Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Ecosystems [workshop report]

This report presents outcomes from the international workshop "Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) Framework for Terrestrial Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Ecosystems," held in Cambridge, UK, from 18–20 September 2024, with significant online contributions from a remote Oceania cohort. The workshop aimed to develop a standardized framework for identifying and monitoring terrestrial EBVs across these vulnerable and rapidly changing high-latitude environments. A preliminary set of EBVs was proposed, spanning multiple levels of biological organization, from genes to ecosystems, including metrics on species composition, population dynamics, functional traits, and ecosystem processes. These build on global frameworks while addressing the region’s unique ecological and logistical challenges. Participants stressed the need for harmonized monitoring protocols, robust data standards, long-term continuity, and shared analytical workflows. The report underscores the importance of leveraging existing datasets, infrastructures, and open science practices to improve data integration and accessibility. Ensuring interoperability between National Antarctic Data Centres (NADCs) and international repositories will be key to enabling seamless data exchange and reuse across national and disciplinary boundaries. This report marks a foundational step toward implementing a terrestrial biodiversity observing system for the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions, grounded in the EBV framework. Realizing this vision will require sustained collaboration among researchers, data managers, and decision makers. The preliminary list of terrestrial EBVs discussed during the workshop is provided in Table 1