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